1978 Idaho gubernatorial election

The 1978 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 7, and incumbent Democrat John Evans defeated Republican nominee Allan Larsen with 58.75% of the vote.[1][2][3] It was the third consecutive win for the Democrats (1970, 1974, 1978), but the only significant victory for the party in Idaho in 1978.[3]

1978 Idaho gubernatorial election

November 7, 1978

Nominee John Evans Allan Larsen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 169,540 114,149 Percentage 58.75% 39.56%

County Results Evans:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Larsen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election John Evans Democratic Elected Governor John V. Evans Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on Tuesday, August 8, 1978.[4][5][6]

Candidates

• John Evans, Malad, incumbent

Results

Evans ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[5][6][7] Elected lieutenant governor in 1974, he succeeded Cecil Andrus in January 1977,[8][9] who left to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior in the new Carter Administration.[10]

Republican primary

Entering the primary, Vern Ravenscroft and Butch Otter were the apparent front runners,[11][12] but were upset by Larsen.[5][7]

Candidates

• Allan Larsen, Blackfoot, Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives
• Vern Ravenscroft, Tuttle, former state representative[12][13]
• Butch Otter, Caldwell, former state representative[14]
• Larry Jackson, Boise, state representative, former MLB pitcher
• James Crowe, Coeur d'Alene, home builder[15]
• Jay Amyx, Boise, former mayor[16]

Source:[17][18]

Results

Republican primary results[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Allan Larsen	33,778	28.73
	Republican	Vern Ravenscroft	32,455	27.61
	Republican	Butch Otter	30,523	25.97
	Republican	Larry Jackson	13,510	11.49
	Republican	James Crowe	4,447	3.78
	Republican	Jay S. Amyx	2,842	2.42
Total votes			117,555	100.00

General election

The election was notable as it was the first time Idaho elected a governor from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both major candidates were members,[19] and through 2020, Evans remains the only Mormon to be elected governor in the state.

Candidates

Major party candidates

• John Evans, Democratic
• Allan Larsen, Republican

Other candidates

• Wayne Loveless, American

Results

1978 Idaho gubernatorial election[20]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Evans	169,540	58.75%
	Republican	Allan Larsen	114,149	39.56%
	American	Wayne Loveless	4,877	1.69%
Majority			55,391
Turnout			288,566
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "Foley, Evans, Batt, Symms, 1%". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 8, 1978. p. 1A.
2. "Party balance in high posts". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. November 8, 1978. p. 3.
3. "Evans is lone Demo to survive in Idaho". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. November 9, 1978. p. 9.
4. Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
5. "Larsen upsets Ravenscroft". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. August 9, 1978. p. 1A.
6. "Mormons win Idaho governor primary". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Associated Press. August 9, 1978. p. 20.
7. "Win close for Larsen". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. August 9, 1978. p. 23.
8. Hall, Bill (January 25, 1977). "Meet Gov. John Evans". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A.
9. "New Idaho governor pledges openness". Spokesman-Review. January 25, 1977. p. 1.
10. "Andrus joins cabinet". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. January 24, 1977. p. 1A.
11. "Otter gnawing into Ravenscroft's lead". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. July 31, 1978. p. 7A.
12. Roche, Kevin (August 7, 1978). "Ravenscroft isn't letting up despite his lead status". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 9A.
13. "Vern Ravenscroft". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (advertisement). August 6, 1978. p. 7B.
14. "Butch Otter". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (advertisement). August 6, 1978. p. 5B.
15. "Crowe tags energy as top issue in 1978 campaign". Lewiston Morning Tribune. August 5, 1978. p. 5A.
16. "Candidates: Amyx denounces 1% initiative". Lewiston Morning Tribune. August 3, 1978. p. 8A.
17. Hall, Bill (August 6, 1978). "See how they run". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (editorial). p. 4A.
18. Shelledy, Jay (August 6, 1978). "What's in a billboard?". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
19. "Religion's the key issue in Evans-Larsen race". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Los Angeles Times). November 1, 1978. p. 1A.
20. Cook, Rhodes (5 November 2013). America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN 9781452290171. Retrieved 2018-12-12.