1978 Oregon gubernatorial election

The 1978 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978. In a rematch of the 1974 contest, Republican nominee Victor Atiyeh defeated Democratic incumbent Robert Straub to win the election.

1978 Oregon gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →

Nominee Victor Atiyeh Robert Straub Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 498,452 409,411 Percentage 54.9% 45.1%

County results Atiyeh:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Straub:      50–60%

Governor before election Robert Straub Democratic Elected Governor Victor Atiyeh Republican

As of 2025, this is the last time that an incumbent Governor of Oregon lost re-election.

Candidates

Democratic

• Robert W. Straub, incumbent Governor of Oregon

Republican

• Victor G. Atiyeh, State senator and nominee in 1974
• Tom McCall, former Governor of Oregon
• Roger E. Martin, State Representative

Election results

1978 Oregon gubernatorial election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Victor G. Atiyeh	498,452	54.90%
	Democratic	Robert W. Straub (incumbent)	409,411	45.10%
Total votes			907,863	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic