1978 Oregon gubernatorial election
The 1978 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978. In a rematch of the 1974 contest, Republican nominee Victor Atiyeh defeated Democratic incumbent Robert Straub to win the election.
As of 2025, this is the last time that an incumbent Governor of Oregon lost re-election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Robert W. Straub, incumbent Governor of Oregon
Eliminated in primary
- Marvin J. Hollingsworth
- Emily Ashworth, teacher
- William L. Patrick
- James R. Smith
- E. "Buck" Lambert
- E. Allen Propst, candidate for governor in 1970
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Victor G. Atiyeh, state senator and nominee in 1974
Eliminated in primary
- Tom McCall, former Governor of Oregon
- Roger E. Martin, state representative
- William A. Jolley
- L.E. "Bud" Kretsinger, tavern owner
- Gerald Wayne "Jerry" Todd
- William Desmond Hewitt, pianist and marijuana legalization advocate