1978 Nebraska gubernatorial election
The 1978 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978, and featured U.S. Representative Charles Thone, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, Lieutenant Governor Gerald T. Whelan. Incumbent Governor J. James Exon, a Democrat, was barred from seeking a third term. Exon was elected to the U.S. Senate that same day.
Democratic primary
Governor
Candidates
- Robert V. Hansen
- Gerald T. Whelan, Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
Orval Keyes ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. He was a member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 3 since 1969 from Springfield, Nebraska.Republican primary
Governor
Candidates
- Richard Hedrick
- Stan Juelfs
- Robert A. Phares, former Mayor of North Platte
- Vance D. Rogers
- Charles Thone, U.S. Representative
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
- Herbert J. Duis, member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 39 since 1969 and previously from 1951 to 1955 from Gothenburg, Nebraska.
- Roland A. Luedtke, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature since 1977 and member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 28 since 1967 from Lincoln, Nebraska.
- Dennis L. Rasmussen, member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 41 since 1973 from Scotia, Nebraska.
- Rosemary M. Skrupa, member of the Omaha Public Power District board from Omaha, Nebraska
- Don Stenberg, lawyer from Lincoln, Nebraska