1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

November 2, 1976
 
Nominee J. Joseph Garrahy James L. Taft Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 218,561 178,254
Percentage 54.82% 44.71%

Garrahy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Taft:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Philip Noel
Democratic

Elected Governor

J. Joseph Garrahy
Democratic

The 1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Democratic nominee J. Joseph Garrahy defeated Republican nominee James L. Taft Jr. with 54.82% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 14, 1976.[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Joseph Garrahy 113,625 82.37
Democratic Giovanni Folcarelli 24,314 17.63
Total votes 137,939 100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

  • J. Joseph Garrahy, Democratic
  • James L. Taft Jr., Republican

Other candidates

  • John C. Swift, Independent
  • Stewart L. Engel, Libertarian

Results

1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic J. Joseph Garrahy 218,561 54.82%
Republican James L. Taft Jr. 178,254 44.71%
Independent John C. Swift 1,267 0.32%
Libertarian Stewart L. Engel 601 0.15%
Majority 40,307
Turnout 398,683
Democratic hold Swing

By county

Joseph Garrahy
Democratic
James Taft
Republican
All Others
Independent
County Votes % Votes % Votes %
Bristol 10,532 50.5% 10,233 49.1% 96 0.4%
Kent 33,250 48.1% 35,556 51.4% 308 0.4%
Newport 16,802 53.9% 14,193 45.5% 195 0.6%
Providence 142,024 58.5% 99,522 41.0% 1,093 0.4%
Washington 15,953 45.7% 18,750 53.8% 176 0.5%

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

References

  1. ^ a b Kalb, Deborah (December 24, 2015). Guide to U.S. Elections. CQ Press. ISBN 9781483380353. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  2. ^ "General Election November 2, 1976". Elections.ri.gov. Retrieved March 29, 2020.