| Election Name: | 1978 Nebraska gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Nebraska |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1974 Nebraska gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1974 |
| Next Election: | 1982 Nebraska gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1982 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1978 |
| Image1: | File:Charles Thone 1977 congressional photo.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Charles Thone |
| Running Mate1: | Roland Luedtke |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 275,473 |
| Percentage1: | 55.9% |
| Nominee2: | Gerald T. Whelan |
| Running Mate2: | Orval Keyes |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 216,754 |
| Percentage2: | 44.0% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | J. James Exon |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Charles Thone |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1978 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978, and featured U.S. Representative Charles Thone, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, Lieutenant Governor Gerald T. Whelan. Incumbent Governor J. James Exon, a Democrat, was barred from seeking a third term. Exon was elected to the U.S Senate that same day.
Orval Keyes ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.[1] He was a member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 3 since 1969 from Springfield, Nebraska.