1978 Wisconsin Secretary of State election

1978 Wisconsin Secretary of State election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →

Nominee Vel Phillips Frederic A. Seefeldt Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 697,945 663,474 Percentage 50.4% 47.9%

Phillips:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      80–90% Seefeldt:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Secretary of State before election Doug La Follette Democratic Elected Secretary of State Vel Phillips Democratic

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v t e

The 1978 Wisconsin Secretary of State election took place on November 7, 1978, to elect the Secretary of State of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democrat Doug La Follette declined to seek re-election, instead running in the primary for Lieutenant Governor. Milwaukee Alderwoman and civil rights activist Vel Phillips was nominated in a field of 9 candidates and defeated Republican Frederic A. Seefeldt. Her election made her the first African American to be elected to a statewide office in Wisconsin.