1978 Wyoming gubernatorial election

The 1978 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Democratic Governor Edgar Herschler ran for re-election to a second term. After winning a contested Democratic primary, he advanced to the general election, where he faced former State Senator John Ostlund, the Republican nominee. Despite the strong Republican performance nationwide, Herschler's personal popularity allowed him to narrowly win re-election to Ostlund, making him the first Democratic Governor to win re-election since Lester C. Hunt in 1946.

1978 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →

Nominee Edgar Herschler John Ostlund Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 69,972 67,595 Percentage 50.86% 49.14%

County results Herschler:      50–60%      60–70% Ostlund:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Edgar Herschler Democratic Elected Governor Edgar Herschler Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Edgar Herschler, incumbent Governor
• Margaret McKinstry, member of the Laramie County Community College Board of Trustees^[1]

Results

Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edgar Herschler (incumbent)	28,406	65.28%
	Democratic	Margaret McKinstry	15,111	34.72%
Total votes			43,517	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• John Ostlund, former State Senator^[3]
• Gus Fleischli, former State Representative^[4]
• Jim Bace, real estate agent^[5]

Results

Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Ostlund	40,251	58.95%
	Republican	Gus Fleischli	24,824	36.35%
	Republican	Jim Bace	3,209	4.70%
Total votes			68,284	100.00%

Results

1978 Wyoming gubernatorial election^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Edgar Herschler (incumbent)	69,972	50.86%	−5.02%
	Republican	John Ostlund	67,595	49.14%	+5.02%
Majority			2,377	1.73%	−10.03%
Turnout			137,567
	Democratic hold