1978 Kansas gubernatorial election
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The 1978 Kansas gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Democratic nominee John W. Carlin defeated incumbent Republican Robert Frederick Bennett with 49.4% of the vote.
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November 7, 1978
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 County results Carlin: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Bennett: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Primary elections
Primary elections were held on August 1, 1978.[1]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- John W. Carlin, Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives
- Bert Chaney
- Harry G. Wiles
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John W. Carlin | 71,366 | 55.21 | |
| Democratic | Bert Chaney | 34,132 | 26.41 | |
| Democratic | Harry G. Wiles | 23,762 | 18.38 | |
| Total votes | 129,260 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Robert Frederick Bennett, incumbent Governor
- Robert R. "Bob" Sanders
- Harold Knight
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Robert Frederick Bennett (incumbent) | 142,239 | 69.23 | |
| Republican | Robert R. "Bob" Sanders | 40,542 | 19.73 | |
| Republican | Harold Knight | 22,671 | 11.04 | |
| Total votes | 205,452 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Candidates
Major party candidates
- John W. Carlin, Democratic
- Robert Frederick Bennett, Republican
Other candidates
- Frank W. Shelton Jr., American
- Berry Beets, Prohibition
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John W. Carlin | 363,835 | 49.42% | ||
| Republican | Robert Frederick Bennett (incumbent) | 348,015 | 47.27% | ||
| American | Frank W. Shelton Jr. | 17,053 | 2.32% | ||
| Prohibition | Berry Beets | 7,343 | 1.00% | ||
| Majority | 15,820 | ||||
| Turnout | 736,246 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | ||||