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

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.