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1978 Michigan gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 2, 1978 1982 →

Nominee William Milliken William B. Fitzgerald Jr. Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,628,485 1,237,256 Percentage 56.8% 43.1%

County results Milliken:      50–60%      60–70%      70-80% Fitzgerald:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election William Milliken Republican Elected Governor William Milliken Republican

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v t e

The 1978 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican William Milliken was elected to a third term as Michigan Governor.

As of 2023, this remains the last election in which the Republican candidate for Governor carried Wayne County.

The primary elections occurred on August 8, 1978. Milliken was unopposed, while Fitzgerald defeated a four-man field including law professor and perennial candidate Zolton Ferency.

Republican primary

Candidates

• William Milliken, incumbent Governor

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Zolton Ferency, Michigan State University law professor and 1966 nominee for Governor
• William B. Fitzgerald Jr., State Senator from Detroit and former Senate Majority Leader
• Patrick McCollough
• William Ralls

Results

General election

Results

References

1. ^ Michigan (1981). Michigan manual. 1979/1980 – via HathiTrust.
2. Parker, Randy (June 6, 2010). "Our Campaigns: MI Governor". Our Campaigns.

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