1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election

1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →

Nominee Lamar Alexander Jake Butcher Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 661,959 523,495 Percentage 55.84% 44.16%

County results Alexander:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Butcher:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Ray Blanton Democratic Elected Governor Lamar Alexander Republican

Elections in Tennessee
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Ballot measures 2006 Amendment 1 2014 Amendment 1 2022 Amendment 1 2022 Amendment 3
Hamilton County Hamilton County mayoral elections 2018 2022 Chattanooga mayoral elections 2013 2017 2021 2025
Knox County Knox County mayoral elections 2010 2014 2018 2022 Knoxville mayoral elections 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 2023
Shelby County Shelby County mayoral elections 2010 2014 2018 2022 Memphis mayoral elections 2011 2015 2019 2023
Clarksville Mayoral elections 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
Jackson Mayoral elections 2015 2019 2023
Murfreesboro Mayoral elections 2014 2018 2022
Nashville Mayoral elections 2007 2011 2015 2018 (sp) 2019 2023 Nashville measures Nashville Charter Amendment 1 Let's Move Nashville
Government
v t e

The 1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Although the Tennessee State Constitution had been amended in early 1978 to allow a governor to succeed himself, Incumbent Democratic governor Ray Blanton chose not to seek re-election. Republican Lamar Alexander once again ran for governor. In the general election, Alexander defeated Democratic nominee Jake Butcher with 55.8% of the vote.