1978 Michigan gubernatorial election

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

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

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

The primary elections occurred on August 8, 1978.^[1] 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

Michigan gubernatorial Republican primary, 1978^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Milliken (incumbent)	393,010	99.98
	Republican	Write-ins	89	0.02
Total votes			393,099	100.00

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

Michigan gubernatorial Democratic primary, 1978^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William B. Fitzgerald Jr.	240,641	39.79%
	Democratic	Zolton Ferency	151,062	24.98%
	Democratic	Patrick McCollough	108,742	17.98%
	Democratic	William Ralls	104,364	17.25%
	Democratic	Write-ins	52	0.01
Total votes			604,861	100.00

General election

Results

Michigan gubernatorial election, 1978^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Milliken (incumbent)	1,628,485	56.80
	Democratic	William B. Fitzgerald Jr.	1,237,256	43.15
	Write-ins		1,471	0.05
Majority			2,867,212
	Republican hold