Alabama gubernatorial election, 1978

Alabama gubernatorial election, 1978

November 7, 1978

Nominee Fob James Guy Hunt Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 551,786 196,963 Percentage 72.6% 25.9%

Governor before election George Wallace Democratic Elected Governor Fob James Democratic

The 1978 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978 to elect the Governor of Alabama. Incumbent Democratic Governor George Wallace did not run for re-election. Fob James, a businessman who had switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party and campaigned as a "born-again Democrat", won the Democratic primary in an upset over Attorney General Bill Baxley. He went on to defeat Guy Hunt in a landslide in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bill Baxley, Attorney General of Alabama
• Jere Beasley, Lieutenant Governor
• Albert Brewer, former Governor
• Jim Folsom, former Governor
• K.C. Foster
• Horace Howell
• Fob James, businessman
• Sid McDonald, State Senator
• Bob Muncaster
• Shorty Price, perennial candidate
• Fred Sandefer
• Cornelia Wallace, former First Lady of Alabama
• Charles Woods, businessman and perennial candidate

Results

Despite entering the race as a former Republican with low name identification and little political experience, by the time of the primary, James led Baxley, Beasley, and Brewer, who were considered the main contenders, in the polls. James placed first in the primary, followed by Baxley. Fob James then won the primary runoff against Bill Baxley.

Democratic primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Fob James	256,196	28.47
	Democratic	Bill Baxley	210,089	23.35
	Democratic	Albert Brewer	193,479	21.50
	Democratic	Sid McDonald	143,930	15.99
	Democratic	Jere Beasley	77,202	8.58
	Democratic	K.C. Foster	4,948	0.55
	Democratic	Horace Howell	4,730	0.53
	Democratic	Jim Folsom	4,632	0.52
	Democratic	Bob Muncaster	1,776	0.20
	Democratic	Shorty Price	1,396	0.16
	Democratic	Charles Woods	700	0.08
	Democratic	Fred Sandefer	622	0.07
	Democratic	Cornelia Wallace	217	0.02
Total votes			899,917	100

Republican primary

Candidates

• Guy Hunt, former Cullman County Probate Judge

General Election

Results

• Fob James (Democratic), 72.6%
• Guy Hunt (Republican), 25.9%
• Jim Partain (Prohibition), 1.1%
• Richard Dare (Independent), 0.5%

Fob James won all but two counties: Cullman, where Hunt had been Probate Judge; and Winston, a traditionally Republican stronghold.