1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election

Summary

The 1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Democratic nominee Jim Hunt defeated Republican nominee David T. Flaherty with 64.99% of the vote.

1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election

← 1972 November 2, 1976 1980 →
 
Nominee Jim Hunt David Flaherty
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,081,293 564,102
Percentage 64.99% 33.90%

County results
Hunt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Flaherty:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

James Holshouser
Republican

Elected Governor

Jim Hunt
Democratic

This election marked the last time an incumbent North Carolina governor was ineligible to run for reelection to a second term before the adoption of an amendment allowing such runs.

As of 2022, this marks the last occasion that the following counties have voted Democratic in a gubernatorial election: Caldwell, Clay, Davidson, Randolph, and Wilkes.[original research?]

Primary elections edit

Primary elections were held on August 17, 1976.[1]

Democratic primary edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Hunt 362,102 53.41
Democratic Edward O'Herron Jr. 157,815 23.28
Democratic George Wood 121,673 17.95
Democratic Thomas E. Strickland 31,338 4.62
Democratic Andy Barker 5,003 0.74
Total votes 677,931 100.00

Republican primary edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Flaherty 57,663 49.77
Republican Coy Privette 37,573 32.43
Republican Jacob F. Alexander 16,149 13.94
Republican Wallace McCall 4,467 3.86
Total votes 115,852 100.00
Republican primary runoff results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David T. Flaherty 45,661 60.50
Republican Coy Privette 29,810 39.50
Total votes 75,471 100.00

General election edit

Candidates edit

Major party candidates

  • Jim Hunt, Democratic
  • David T. Flaherty, Republican

Other candidates

Results edit

1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jim Hunt 1,081,293 64.99%
Republican David T. Flaherty 564,102 33.90%
American Herbert F. Seawell Jr. 13,604 0.82%
Libertarian Arlan K. Andrews 4,764 0.29%
Majority 517,201
Turnout 1,663,763
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "North Carolina Manual". 1991. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  2. ^ NCpedia: Jim Hunt
  3. ^ Cook, Rhodes (October 26, 2017). America Votes 32: 2015-2016, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. CQ Press. ISBN 9781506368993. Retrieved December 9, 2018.