1978 Maine gubernatorial election

The 1978 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Independent Governor James B. Longley had promised to not seek a second term when he was elected in 1974, and held true to his pledge. Former State Senator Joseph E. Brennan of the Democratic Party defeated both challenger Republican Linwood E. Palmer Jr. and right-wing independent candidate Herman Frankland. Richard Carey unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination, while Charles Cragin unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination.

1978 Maine gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →

Nominee Joseph Brennan Linwood E. Palmer Jr. Herman C. Frankland Party Democratic Republican Independent Popular vote 176,493 126,862 65,889 Percentage 47.8% 34.4% 17.8%

County results Brennan:      40–50%      50–60% Palmer:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election James B. Longley Independent Elected Governor Joseph Brennan Democratic

Results

1978 Gubernatorial Election, Maine^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joseph Brennan	176,493	47.80%	−
	Republican	Linwood E. Palmer Jr.	126,862	34.36%	−
	Independent	Herman C. Frankland	65,889	17.84%	−
Majority			49,631	13.44%
	Democratic gain from Independent		Swing

Notes

1. Guide to US Elections. Vol. II (Fifth ed.). CQ Press. 2005. pp. 1497–1499. ISBN 978-1-56802-981-8. Retrieved May 6, 2009.