1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

The 1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Democratic nominee J. Joseph Garrahy defeated Republican nominee James L. Taft Jr. with 54.82% of the vote.

1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 2, 1976 1978 →

Nominee J. Joseph Garrahy James L. Taft Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 218,561 178,254 Percentage 54.82% 44.71%

County results Municipality results Garrahy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Taft:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Philip Noel Democratic Elected Governor J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 14, 1976.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• J. Joseph Garrahy, incumbent lieutenant governor
• Giovanni Folcarelli, former lieutenant governor

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	J. Joseph Garrahy	113,625	82.37
	Democratic	Giovanni Folcarelli	24,314	17.63
Total votes			137,939	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• J. Joseph Garrahy, Democratic
• James L. Taft Jr., Republican

Other candidates

• John C. Swift, Independent
• Stewart L. Engel, Libertarian

Results

1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	J. Joseph Garrahy	218,561	54.82%
	Republican	James L. Taft Jr.	178,254	44.71%
	Independent	John C. Swift	1,267	0.32%
	Libertarian	Stewart L. Engel	601	0.15%
Majority			40,307
Turnout			398,683
	Democratic hold		Swing