1978 Idaho gubernatorial election explained
| Election Name: | 1978 Idaho gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Idaho |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1974 Idaho gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1974 |
| Next Election: | 1982 Idaho gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1982 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1978 |
| Image1: | File:John V. Evans (Idaho Governor).jpg |
| Nominee1: | John Evans |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 169,540 |
| Percentage1: | 58.75% |
| Nominee2: | Allan Larsen |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 114,149 |
| Percentage2: | 39.56% |
| Map Size: | 160px |
| Governor |
| Before Election: | John Evans |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | John V. Evans |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1978 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 7, and incumbent Democrat John Evans defeated Republican nominee Allan Larsen with 58.75% of the vote.[1] [2] [3] It was the third consecutive win for the Democrats (1970, 1974, 1978), but the only significant victory for the party in Idaho in 1978.[3]
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on Tuesday, August 8, 1978.[4] [5] [6]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Evans ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[5] [6] [7] Elected lieutenant governor in 1974, he succeeded Cecil Andrus in January 1977,[8] [9] who left to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior in the new Carter Administration.[10]
Republican primary
Entering the primary, Vern Ravenscroft and Butch Otter were the apparent front runners,[11] [12] but were upset by Larsen.[5] [7]
Candidates
- Allan Larsen, Blackfoot, Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives
- Vern Ravenscroft, Tuttle, former state representative[12] [13]
- Butch Otter, Caldwell, former state representative[14]
- Larry Jackson, Boise, state representative, former MLB pitcher
- James Crowe, Coeur d'Alene, home builder[15]
- Jay Amyx, Boise, former mayor[16]
[17] [18]
Results
General election
The election was notable as it was the first time Idaho elected a governor from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both major candidates were members,[19] and through 2023, Evans remains the only Mormon to be elected governor in the state.
Candidates
Major party candidates
- John Evans, Democratic
- Allan Larsen, Republican
Other candidates
Results
Notes and References
- News: Foley, Evans, Batt, Symms, 1% . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Associated Press . November 8, 1978 . 1A.
- News: Party balance in high posts . Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington) . Associated Press . November 8, 1978 . 3.
- News: Evans is lone Demo to survive in Idaho . Spokesman-Review . Associated Press . November 9, 1978 . 9.
- Book: Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc . 2005 . CQ Press . 9781568029818 . 2018-12-12.
- News: Larsen upsets Ravenscroft . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Associated Press . August 9, 1978 . 1A.
- Web site: Mormons win Idaho governor primary . The Bulletin . (Bend, Oregon) . Associated Press . August 9, 1978 . 20.
- News: Win close for Larsen . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington) . Associated Press . August 9, 1978 . 23.
- News: Meet Gov. John Evans . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Hall . Bill . January 25, 1977 . 1A.
- News: New Idaho governor pledges openness . Spokesman-Review . January 25, 1977 . 1.
- News: Andrus joins cabinet . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Associated Press . January 24, 1977 . 1A.
- News: Otter gnawing into Ravenscroft's lead . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Associated Press . July 31, 1978 . 7A.
- News: Ravenscroft isn't letting up despite his lead status . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Roche . Kevin . August 7, 1978 . 9A.
- News: Vern Ravenscroft . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (advertisement) . August 6, 1978 . 7B.
- News: Butch Otter . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (advertisement) . August 6, 1978 . 5B.
- News: Crowe tags energy as top issue in 1978 campaign . Lewiston Morning Tribune . August 5, 1978 . 5A.
- News: Candidates: Amyx denounces 1% initiative . Lewiston Morning Tribune . August 3, 1978 . 8A.
- News: See how they run . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (editorial) . Hall . Bill . August 6, 1978 . 4A.
- News: What's in a billboard? . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Shelledy . Jay . August 6, 1978 .
- News: Religion's the key issue in Evans-Larsen race . Lewiston Morning Tribune . (Los Angeles Times). November 1, 1978 . 1A.
