1978 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

1978 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 (1978-11-07) 1982 →

Nominee Dick Thornburgh Pete Flaherty Party Republican Democratic Running mate Bill Scranton III Robert P. Casey Popular vote 1,966,042 1,737,888 Percentage 52.4% 46.4%

County results Thornburgh:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Flaherty:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Milton Shapp Democratic Elected Governor Dick Thornburgh Republican

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Government
v t e

The 1978 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Governor Milton Shapp was constitutionally ineligible to run for a third consecutive term in office. Republican Dick Thornburgh defeated Democrat Pete Flaherty in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bob Casey, Auditor General (from Lackawanna County)
• Pete Flaherty, United States Deputy Attorney General and former mayor of Pittsburgh
  (from Allegheny County)
• Ernie Kline
  , Lieutenant Governor (from Westmoreland County)
• Jennifer Wesner, mayor of Knox (from Clarion County)

Campaign

The race began with a primary that slated an impressive field of candidates. Flaherty, the former Mayor of

• Bob Butera, former State House Minority Leader (from Montgomery County)
• Henry Hager, State Senate Minority Leader (from Lycoming County)
• Alvin Jacobson, a disabled former soldier (from Adams County)
• David W. Marston, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (from Montgomery County)
• Arlen Specter, former Philadelphia District Attorney (from Philadelphia County)
• Dick Thornburgh, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania (from Allegheny County)
• Andrew Watson

Campaign

Thornburgh's win came over the Republican leaders of both houses of the state legislature (House Minority Leader Bob Butera and Senate Minority Leader Henry Hager), as well as a former US Attorney, Dave Marston. Former Philadelphia District Attorney and future senator Arlen Specter was considered the front-runner in the months preceding the primary, but the moderate urban Republican's campaign faded as Thornburgh presented himself as a leader that could bridge both wings of the party.^[2]

Results

General election

Candidates

• Pete Flaherty, United States Deputy Attorney General and former Mayor of Pittsburgh (Democratic)
  • Running mate: Robert P. Casey, teacher
• Lee Frissell (Consumer)
  • Running mate: Betty Burkett
• Dick Thornburgh, former US Attorney (Republican)
  • Running mate:
    Bill Scranton
• Mark Zola (Socialist Workers)
  • Running mate: Naomi Berman

Campaign

Flaherty out-polled Thornburgh by double-digit margins for much of the campaign, but the Republican candidate used highly effective strategies to close the gap in the weeks leading up to election night. Thornburgh was successful in recruiting suburban moderates, as fellow moderate Republican Specter encouraged his metro Philadelphia supporters to rally behind Thornburgh. In contrast, the liberal Flaherty had trouble reaching out to conservative Democrats outside of his Western Pennsylvania base, a problem hindered by Casey's tepid support for the candidate over the lieutenant gubernatorial issue. Thornburgh also aggressively courted traditionally Democratic-leaning groups and gained the endorsements of the NAACP and several labor unions. Democratic support slowly waned under this strategy, which allowed Thornburgh to take a close victory.^[2]

Results

Notes

References

• Ackley, Gayle; Arcuri, Patricia D, eds. (1979).
  The Pennsylvania Manual. Vol. 104. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of General Services
  .