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.
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 County results Hunt: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Flaherty: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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[update], 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
editPrimary elections were held on August 17, 1976.[1]
Democratic primary
editCandidates
edit- Jim Hunt, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
- Edward O'Herron Jr., chairman of Eckerd Drugs and former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
- George Wood, former member of the North Carolina Senate[2]
- Thomas Strickland, incumbent member of the North Carolina Senate
- Andy Barker, incumbent Mayor of Love Valley, North Carolina
17.6% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.[3]
Results
edit| 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
editCandidates
edit- David Flaherty, former State Senator
- Coy Privette, Baptist pastor
- Jacob F. Alexander, former North Carolina Secretary of Transportation
- Wallace McCall
3% of the voting age population participated in the Republican primary.[3]
Results
edit| 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 | ||
| 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
editCandidates
editMajor party candidates
- Jim Hunt, Democratic
- David T. Flaherty, Republican
Other candidates
- Herbert F. Seawell Jr., American
- Arlan K. Andrews, Libertarian
Results
edit| 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- ^ a b c d "North Carolina Manual". 1991. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
- ^ NCpedia: Jim Hunt
- ^ a b Steed, Moreland & Baker 1980, p. 28.
- ^ Cook, Rhodes (October 26, 2017). America Votes 32: 2015-2016, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. CQ Press. ISBN 9781506368993. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
Works cited
edit- Steed, Robert; Moreland, Laurence; Baker, Tod, eds. (1980). Party Politics in the South. Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0030565863.