1978 Vermont gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1978 United States gubernatorial elections.

1978 Vermont gubernatorial election

November 7, 1978 (1978-11-07)

Nominee Richard Snelling Edwin Granai Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 78,181 42,482 Percentage 62.8% 34.1%

County results Municipality results Snelling:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90% Granai:      40-50%      50-60%

Governor before election Richard Snelling Republican Elected Governor Richard Snelling Republican

The 1978 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican Richard Snelling ran successfully for a second term as Governor of Vermont, defeating Democratic candidate Edwin Granai. As of 2014^[update], this was the most recent Vermont gubernatorial election in which both major party candidates are now deceased.^[1]

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Richard A. Snelling (inc.)	30,454	99.0
	Republican	Other	316	1.0
Total votes			'30,770'	'100'

Democratic primary

Results

Democratic primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Edwin C. Granai	8,572	64.6
	Democratic	Bernard O'Shea	4,570	34.5
	Democratic	Other	121	0.9
Total votes			'13,263'	'100'

Liberty Union primary

Results

Liberty Union primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberty Union	Earl S. Gardner	174	93.0
	Liberty Union	Other	13	7.0
Total votes			'187'	'100'

General election

Candidates

• Earl S. Gardner (Liberty Union)^[3]
• Edwin Granai (Democratic), state representative^[4]
• Richard A. Snelling (Republican), incumbent Governor of Vermont^[4]

Results

1978 Vermont gubernatorial election^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Richard A. Snelling (inc.)	78,181	62.8
	Democratic	Edwin C. Granai	42,482	34.1
	Liberty Union	Earl S. Gardner	3,629	2.9
	N/A	Other	190	0.2
Total votes			'124,482'	'100'

References

1. "Edwin Granai Obituary (2014) The Record". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
2. "Primary Election Results" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
3. "General Election Results - Governor - 1789-2012" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 30, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
4. Gertler, Gayle (September 14, 1978). "Granai warns against danger of 'Fast-Buck' development". The Burlington Free Press. Retrieved February 13, 2022.