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The 1978 California lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Republican nominee Mike Curb defeated Democratic incumbent Mervyn Dymally with 51.64% of the vote. As of 2025, this was the last time a Republican was elected lieutenant governor of California.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on June 6, 1978.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Mervyn Dymally, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
- Patricia E. "Penny" Raven
- Patrick Matthew Fitzpatrick
- Abe Tapia
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mervyn Dymally (incumbent) | 1,749,227 | 55.33 | |
| Democratic | Patricia E. "Penny" Raven | 686,157 | 21.71 | |
| Democratic | Patrick Matthew Fitzpatrick | 551,896 | 17.46 | |
| Democratic | Abe Tapia | 173,924 | 5.50 | |
| Total votes | 3,161,204 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Mike Curb, musician
- Michael D. Antonovich, State Assemblyman
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Curb | 1,250,096 | 53.66 | |
| Republican | Michael D. Antonovich | 1,079,587 | 46.34 | |
| Total votes | 2,329,683 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Candidates
Major party candidates
- Mike Curb, Republican
- Mervyn Dymally, Democratic
Other candidates
- Houston Myers, American Independent
- Jan B. Tucker, Peace and Freedom
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Curb | 3,493,980 | 51.64% | +5.32% | |
| Democratic | Mervyn Dymally (incumbent) | 2,928,329 | 43.28% | −5.91% | |
| American Independent | Houston Myers | 180,922 | 2.67% | +0.74% | |
| Peace and Freedom | Jan B. Tucker | 162,341 | 2.40% | −0.14% | |
| Majority | 565,651 | ||||
| Turnout | |||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | ||||
References
- ^ "Statement of Vote". Secretary of State of California. 1978. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
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| (1977 ←) 1978 United States elections (→ 1979) | |
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