1979 United States gubernatorial elections

United States gubernatorial elections were held in the fall of 1979, in three states and one territory.

1979 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1978 October 27, November 6, and December 8, 1979 1980 →

4 governorships
3 states; 1 territory
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Seats before 32 18
Seats after 31 19
Seat change Decrease1 Increase1
Seats up 3 0
Seats won 2 1

1979 Kentucky gubernatorial election1979 Louisiana gubernatorial election1979 Mississippi gubernatorial election
  Democratic hold
  Republican gain

Republicans gained one gubernatorial seat in this year with Dave Treen's victory in Louisiana, who as a result became the first Republican Governor of that state since the Reconstruction era (1865-1877). Treen led a field of six major candidates in the October 27 primary, and narrowly edged state senator Louis Lambert in the December 8 general election (or "runoff").

Democrats held control of the governor's mansions in Kentucky and Mississippi in the November 6 general elections.

Election results

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A bolded state name features an article about the specific election.

State Incumbent Party First
elected
Result Candidates
Kentucky[1] Julian Carroll Democratic 1974[a] Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
Louisiana Edwin Edwards Democratic 1972 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
Mississippi Cliff Finch Democratic 1975 Incumbent term-limited.[2]
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.

Notes

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  1. ^ Carroll took office after his predecessor (Wendell Ford) resigned.

References

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  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-05-21. Retrieved 2010-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - MS Governor Race - Nov 07, 1979".