ACT ONE: Part 8 - The State of Our States in 1978
DEATH OF A KLANSMAN? AG BILL BAXLEY ELECTED GOVERNOR
...Baxley is most well known for, in a public letter, telling the Ku Klux Klan to “kiss his ass” in response to their outrage at his reopening of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing…
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS, November 8th, 1978
ATTORNEY GENERAL CLINTON ELECTED GOVERNOR
THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, November 8th, 1978
Above: Governor-Elect Bill Clinton (D-AR) with his wife Hillary.
FOUR MORE YEARS? JERRY BROWN WINS SECOND TERM
...Brown is widely viewed as a top-tier Democratic candidate for President in 1980, but he has not yet indicated whether he intends on running against his predecessor in Sacramento…
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, November 8th, 1978
FORMER SENATOR GURNEY TO TAKE GOVERNOR’S MANSION
...Ed Gurney’s 51.1% to 48.7% victory over Bob Graham has largely been attributed to Reubin Askew’s push to ratify the ERA in Florida. While popular with national Democrats, Askew’s move angered a large number of traditionally Democratic rural Floridians, who cast their ballots for Gurney yesterday despite his past corruption allegations...
THE TAMPA BAY TIMES, November 8th, 1978
Above: Governor-Elect Ed Gurney (R-FL).
BRENNAN DEFEATS SEWALL
...Democrat Joseph Brennan’s victory has been attributed in part to his slogan: “Joe Sewall is about to face the scariest thing in his political career: an election.” Sewall notably took over as Governor when James Longley vacated his seat to become Secretary of Commerce…
THE BANGOR DAILY NEWS, November 8th, 1978
HARRY HUGHES DEFEATS REPUBLICAN-TURNED-LIBERAL JOHN GLENN BEALL
THE CARROLL COUNTY TIMES, November 8th, 1978
“INVINCIBLE:” DUKAKIS RE-ELECTED DESPITE CHALLENGES
Michael Dukakis isn’t going anywhere. Despite a primary challenge by conservative Port Authority Director Edward King and a firm challenge by Liberal-endorsed Republican Francis Hatch, Dukakis was given a second term by voters last night. It was widely believed that backlash against high taxes in Massachusetts would drive the governor from office, but for every prediction pundits gave about “Duke’s” downfall, it simply never came to pass. For this, Dukakis has already received a label from commentators: “a political tank.” Dukakis has hinted at a bid for the Presidency...
THE BOSTON GLOBE, November 8th, 1978
Above: Governor Michael Dukakis (D-MA), right.
RUPPE DEFEATS LEVIN
...Governor Phillip Ruppe, one of the few currently serving Republican officials to disavow President Reagan, successfully avoided the drag on his party this year to narrowly defeat Detroit City Councillor Carl Levin…
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, November 8th, 1978
Mike Wallace: Your connections with Former Governor O’Callaghan and his political sway in Nevada go back decades. Do you believe that Mike O’Callaghan is the main reason you currently occupy his former seat?
Harry Reid: Absolutely not. Look, Mike is a wonderful friend. I’ve known him since I was a teenager - he was my high school boxing coach. He convinced me to run in ‘78! I know you’re asking if I think he propped me up, and absolutely not. He’s been in my corner, but I put long hours into making sure I won the primary, the election, all of it.
MW: O’Callaghan continues to be one of the most popular Governors in Nevada history, though. Surely his support is a factor in your continued success-
HR: If I was some kind of loser, I’d have been tossed out the statehouse door last year, Mike. But instead they look at the recovery, they see the economy getting better here in Nevada. They see us fighting all sorts of corruption and nonsense in Carson City and Nevadans voted for this to keep going. That can’t be pinned on Mike O’Callaghan, surely. And, while I’m on my approach, dealing with the nonsense people hate first is what they keep forgetting on Capitol Hill, honestly.
MW: So you’re saying a similar no-holds-barred attitude is needed in Washington?
HR: Well, that’s what I’m trying to bring to DC.
60 Minutes Interview with Gov. Harry Reid (D-NV), September 4th, 1983
Above: Governor Harry Reid (D-NV) in 1979.
HUGH CAREY RE-ELECTED
...the Carey-Krupsak ticket was re-elected by a resounding 56.5% to 43.3% margin over Perry Duryea and Bruce Caputo. Governor Carey is widely expected to run for President in 1980, but his office has not yet responded for comment on the matter…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, November 8th, 1978
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CELESTE UNSEATS RHODES
...Dick Celeste, the Democratic Lieutenant Governor, has unseated Jim Rhodes for the Governorship…
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH, November 8th, 1978
“GOVERNOR PETE:” PITTSBURGH MAYOR DEFEATS SPECTER
...Pittsburgh’s “Mayor Pete” Flaherty, a self-avowed progressive reformer, has been elected Governor over Arlen Specter. In his victory speech, Flaherty promised that “yes, change is coming to Harrisburg!”
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, November 8th, 1978
Above: Governor-Elect Pete Flaherty (D-PA)
RICHARD RILEY ELECTED GOVERNOR
THE GREENVILLE NEWS, November 8th, 1978
STATE SEN. MCKELLIPS VICTORIOUS OVER AG JANKLOW
THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL, November 8th, 1978
GOVERNOR-ELECT HILL: HUTCHINSON CONCEDES CLOSE RACE
...Hill successfully defeated incumbent Gov. Dolph Briscoe in a close primary as a liberal insurgent this spring...
THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE, November 8th, 1978
GM: Yeah, I remember Dan White. Well, he wasn’t really that memorable on the Board, but I know that’s not why you asked about him. He showed up that day, November 28th, in city hall with a gun. It’s pretty obvious what he wanted to do, and he kept trying to find me to ask me something or whatever his excuse was. But Dianne - Feinstein, of course, the Board of Supervisors President - was there. I dunno if she saw something off or just had a hunch, but she kept telling him I was busy, that I couldn’t meet with him, all of that. I wasn’t there for that part, of course, but that’s what people said after it happened. I don’t know if she pissed him off or not, but next thing I know I hear a gunshot from my office. Obviously I go to check out what on earth just happened, and I see one of the security guards wrestling Dan to the ground, and Dianne - oh God - just… lying there, in a pool of blood. Turns out, based on the way he started shouting when he saw me walk over, that he was there to kill me, then to go and find Cong-sorry, he had just won an Assembly Seat that November, yeah Assemblyman Milk and shoot “that…” yeah I won’t repeat the words he used to describe Harvey.
THE PEOPLE’S GOVERNOR: The George Moscone Story, a documentary directed by Martin Scorsese in 2012
Above: George Moscone as Mayor of San Francisco, 1978
FULL GUBERNATORIAL RESULTS:
Alabama
- Bill Baxley (D) defeats Guy Hunt (R). D hold.
Alaska
- Incumbent Jay Hammond (R) re-elected over Wally Hickel (write-in). R hold.
Arizona
- Incumbent Raul Hector Castro (D) re-elected over Evan Mecham (R). D hold.
Arkansas
- Bill Clinton (D) defeats Lynn Lowe (R). D hold.
California
- Incumbent Jerry Brown (D) re-elected over Evelle Younger (R). D hold.
Colorado
- Incumbent Dick Lamm (D) re-elected over Ted Strickland (R). D hold.
Connecticut
- Incumbent Ella T. Grasso (D) re-elected over Ronald A. Sarasin (R). D hold.
Florida
- Ed Gurney (R) defeats Bob Graham (D). R gain.
Georgia
- Incumbent George Busbee (D) re-elected over Rodney Cook (R). D hold.
Hawaii
- Incumbent George Ariyoshi (D) re-elected over John Leopold (R). D hold.
Idaho
- Incumbent John V. Evans (D) re-elected over Allan Larsen (R). D hold.
Illinois
- Incumbent James R. Thompson (R) re-elected over Michael Balakis (D). R hold.
Iowa
- Incumbent Robert Ray (R) re-elected over Jerome Fitzgerald (D). R hold.
Kansas
- John W. Carlin (D) defeats incumbent Robert F. Bennett (R). D gain.
Maine
- Joseph Brennan (D) defeats Incumbent Joseph Sewall (R). D gain.
Maryland
- Harry Hughes (D) defeats John Glenn Beall Jr. (L). D hold.
Massachusetts
- Incumbent Michael Dukakis (D) defeats Francis Hatch (R). D hold.
Michigan
- Phillip Ruppe (R) defeats Carl Levin (D). R hold.
Minnesota
- Wendell Anderson (D) defeats Al Quie (R). D hold.
Nebraska
- Charles Thone (R) defeats Gerald Whelan (D). R gain.
Nevada
- Harry Reid (D) defeats Robert List (R). D hold.
New Hampshire
- Hugh Gallen (D) defeats incumbent Meldrim Thompson (R). D gain.
New Mexico
- Bruce King (D) defeats Joe Skeen (R). D hold.
New York
- Incumbent Hugh Carey (D) re-elected over Perry Duryea (R). D hold.
Ohio
- Dick Celeste (D) defeats incumbent Jim Rhodes (R). D gain.
Oklahoma
- Ron Shotts (R) defeats George Nigh (D). R gain.
Oregon
- Victor Atiyeh (R) defeats incumbent Robert Straub (D). R gain.
Pennsylvania
- Pete Flaherty (D) defeats Arlen Specter (R). D hold.
Rhode Island
- Incumbent John Garrahy (D) re-elected over Lincoln Almond (R). D hold.
South Carolina
- Richard Riley (D) defeats Edward Lunn Young (R). D gain.
South Dakota
- Roger McKellips (D) defeats Bill Janklow (R). D hold.
Tennessee
- Lamar Alexander (R) defeats Jake Butcher (D). R gain.
Texas
- John Hill (D) defeats Ray Hutchinson (R). D hold.
Vermont
- Incumbent Richard Snelling (R) re-elected over Edwin Granai (D). R hold.
Wisconsin
- Incumbent Patrick Lucey (D) re-elected over Lee Dreyfus (R). D hold.
Wyoming
- Incumbent Edgar Herschler (D) re-elected over John Ostlund (R). D hold.
...Baxley is most well known for, in a public letter, telling the Ku Klux Klan to “kiss his ass” in response to their outrage at his reopening of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing…
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS, November 8th, 1978
ATTORNEY GENERAL CLINTON ELECTED GOVERNOR
THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, November 8th, 1978
Above: Governor-Elect Bill Clinton (D-AR) with his wife Hillary.
FOUR MORE YEARS? JERRY BROWN WINS SECOND TERM
...Brown is widely viewed as a top-tier Democratic candidate for President in 1980, but he has not yet indicated whether he intends on running against his predecessor in Sacramento…
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, November 8th, 1978
FORMER SENATOR GURNEY TO TAKE GOVERNOR’S MANSION
...Ed Gurney’s 51.1% to 48.7% victory over Bob Graham has largely been attributed to Reubin Askew’s push to ratify the ERA in Florida. While popular with national Democrats, Askew’s move angered a large number of traditionally Democratic rural Floridians, who cast their ballots for Gurney yesterday despite his past corruption allegations...
THE TAMPA BAY TIMES, November 8th, 1978
Above: Governor-Elect Ed Gurney (R-FL).
BRENNAN DEFEATS SEWALL
...Democrat Joseph Brennan’s victory has been attributed in part to his slogan: “Joe Sewall is about to face the scariest thing in his political career: an election.” Sewall notably took over as Governor when James Longley vacated his seat to become Secretary of Commerce…
THE BANGOR DAILY NEWS, November 8th, 1978
HARRY HUGHES DEFEATS REPUBLICAN-TURNED-LIBERAL JOHN GLENN BEALL
THE CARROLL COUNTY TIMES, November 8th, 1978
“INVINCIBLE:” DUKAKIS RE-ELECTED DESPITE CHALLENGES
Michael Dukakis isn’t going anywhere. Despite a primary challenge by conservative Port Authority Director Edward King and a firm challenge by Liberal-endorsed Republican Francis Hatch, Dukakis was given a second term by voters last night. It was widely believed that backlash against high taxes in Massachusetts would drive the governor from office, but for every prediction pundits gave about “Duke’s” downfall, it simply never came to pass. For this, Dukakis has already received a label from commentators: “a political tank.” Dukakis has hinted at a bid for the Presidency...
THE BOSTON GLOBE, November 8th, 1978
Above: Governor Michael Dukakis (D-MA), right.
RUPPE DEFEATS LEVIN
...Governor Phillip Ruppe, one of the few currently serving Republican officials to disavow President Reagan, successfully avoided the drag on his party this year to narrowly defeat Detroit City Councillor Carl Levin…
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, November 8th, 1978
Mike Wallace: Your connections with Former Governor O’Callaghan and his political sway in Nevada go back decades. Do you believe that Mike O’Callaghan is the main reason you currently occupy his former seat?
Harry Reid: Absolutely not. Look, Mike is a wonderful friend. I’ve known him since I was a teenager - he was my high school boxing coach. He convinced me to run in ‘78! I know you’re asking if I think he propped me up, and absolutely not. He’s been in my corner, but I put long hours into making sure I won the primary, the election, all of it.
MW: O’Callaghan continues to be one of the most popular Governors in Nevada history, though. Surely his support is a factor in your continued success-
HR: If I was some kind of loser, I’d have been tossed out the statehouse door last year, Mike. But instead they look at the recovery, they see the economy getting better here in Nevada. They see us fighting all sorts of corruption and nonsense in Carson City and Nevadans voted for this to keep going. That can’t be pinned on Mike O’Callaghan, surely. And, while I’m on my approach, dealing with the nonsense people hate first is what they keep forgetting on Capitol Hill, honestly.
MW: So you’re saying a similar no-holds-barred attitude is needed in Washington?
HR: Well, that’s what I’m trying to bring to DC.
60 Minutes Interview with Gov. Harry Reid (D-NV), September 4th, 1983
Above: Governor Harry Reid (D-NV) in 1979.
HUGH CAREY RE-ELECTED
...the Carey-Krupsak ticket was re-elected by a resounding 56.5% to 43.3% margin over Perry Duryea and Bruce Caputo. Governor Carey is widely expected to run for President in 1980, but his office has not yet responded for comment on the matter…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, November 8th, 1978
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CELESTE UNSEATS RHODES
...Dick Celeste, the Democratic Lieutenant Governor, has unseated Jim Rhodes for the Governorship…
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH, November 8th, 1978
“GOVERNOR PETE:” PITTSBURGH MAYOR DEFEATS SPECTER
...Pittsburgh’s “Mayor Pete” Flaherty, a self-avowed progressive reformer, has been elected Governor over Arlen Specter. In his victory speech, Flaherty promised that “yes, change is coming to Harrisburg!”
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, November 8th, 1978
Above: Governor-Elect Pete Flaherty (D-PA)
RICHARD RILEY ELECTED GOVERNOR
THE GREENVILLE NEWS, November 8th, 1978
STATE SEN. MCKELLIPS VICTORIOUS OVER AG JANKLOW
THE RAPID CITY JOURNAL, November 8th, 1978
GOVERNOR-ELECT HILL: HUTCHINSON CONCEDES CLOSE RACE
...Hill successfully defeated incumbent Gov. Dolph Briscoe in a close primary as a liberal insurgent this spring...
THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE, November 8th, 1978
GM: Yeah, I remember Dan White. Well, he wasn’t really that memorable on the Board, but I know that’s not why you asked about him. He showed up that day, November 28th, in city hall with a gun. It’s pretty obvious what he wanted to do, and he kept trying to find me to ask me something or whatever his excuse was. But Dianne - Feinstein, of course, the Board of Supervisors President - was there. I dunno if she saw something off or just had a hunch, but she kept telling him I was busy, that I couldn’t meet with him, all of that. I wasn’t there for that part, of course, but that’s what people said after it happened. I don’t know if she pissed him off or not, but next thing I know I hear a gunshot from my office. Obviously I go to check out what on earth just happened, and I see one of the security guards wrestling Dan to the ground, and Dianne - oh God - just… lying there, in a pool of blood. Turns out, based on the way he started shouting when he saw me walk over, that he was there to kill me, then to go and find Cong-sorry, he had just won an Assembly Seat that November, yeah Assemblyman Milk and shoot “that…” yeah I won’t repeat the words he used to describe Harvey.
THE PEOPLE’S GOVERNOR: The George Moscone Story, a documentary directed by Martin Scorsese in 2012
Above: George Moscone as Mayor of San Francisco, 1978
FULL GUBERNATORIAL RESULTS:
Alabama
- Bill Baxley (D) defeats Guy Hunt (R). D hold.
Alaska
- Incumbent Jay Hammond (R) re-elected over Wally Hickel (write-in). R hold.
Arizona
- Incumbent Raul Hector Castro (D) re-elected over Evan Mecham (R). D hold.
Arkansas
- Bill Clinton (D) defeats Lynn Lowe (R). D hold.
California
- Incumbent Jerry Brown (D) re-elected over Evelle Younger (R). D hold.
Colorado
- Incumbent Dick Lamm (D) re-elected over Ted Strickland (R). D hold.
Connecticut
- Incumbent Ella T. Grasso (D) re-elected over Ronald A. Sarasin (R). D hold.
Florida
- Ed Gurney (R) defeats Bob Graham (D). R gain.
Georgia
- Incumbent George Busbee (D) re-elected over Rodney Cook (R). D hold.
Hawaii
- Incumbent George Ariyoshi (D) re-elected over John Leopold (R). D hold.
Idaho
- Incumbent John V. Evans (D) re-elected over Allan Larsen (R). D hold.
Illinois
- Incumbent James R. Thompson (R) re-elected over Michael Balakis (D). R hold.
Iowa
- Incumbent Robert Ray (R) re-elected over Jerome Fitzgerald (D). R hold.
Kansas
- John W. Carlin (D) defeats incumbent Robert F. Bennett (R). D gain.
Maine
- Joseph Brennan (D) defeats Incumbent Joseph Sewall (R). D gain.
Maryland
- Harry Hughes (D) defeats John Glenn Beall Jr. (L). D hold.
Massachusetts
- Incumbent Michael Dukakis (D) defeats Francis Hatch (R). D hold.
Michigan
- Phillip Ruppe (R) defeats Carl Levin (D). R hold.
Minnesota
- Wendell Anderson (D) defeats Al Quie (R). D hold.
Nebraska
- Charles Thone (R) defeats Gerald Whelan (D). R gain.
Nevada
- Harry Reid (D) defeats Robert List (R). D hold.
New Hampshire
- Hugh Gallen (D) defeats incumbent Meldrim Thompson (R). D gain.
New Mexico
- Bruce King (D) defeats Joe Skeen (R). D hold.
New York
- Incumbent Hugh Carey (D) re-elected over Perry Duryea (R). D hold.
Ohio
- Dick Celeste (D) defeats incumbent Jim Rhodes (R). D gain.
Oklahoma
- Ron Shotts (R) defeats George Nigh (D). R gain.
Oregon
- Victor Atiyeh (R) defeats incumbent Robert Straub (D). R gain.
Pennsylvania
- Pete Flaherty (D) defeats Arlen Specter (R). D hold.
Rhode Island
- Incumbent John Garrahy (D) re-elected over Lincoln Almond (R). D hold.
South Carolina
- Richard Riley (D) defeats Edward Lunn Young (R). D gain.
South Dakota
- Roger McKellips (D) defeats Bill Janklow (R). D hold.
Tennessee
- Lamar Alexander (R) defeats Jake Butcher (D). R gain.
Texas
- John Hill (D) defeats Ray Hutchinson (R). D hold.
Vermont
- Incumbent Richard Snelling (R) re-elected over Edwin Granai (D). R hold.
Wisconsin
- Incumbent Patrick Lucey (D) re-elected over Lee Dreyfus (R). D hold.
Wyoming
- Incumbent Edgar Herschler (D) re-elected over John Ostlund (R). D hold.
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