1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

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.

1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

← 1974November 2, 19761978 →
 
NomineeJ. Joseph GarrahyJames L. Taft Jr.
PartyDemocraticRepublican
Popular vote218,561178,254
Percentage54.82%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

Primary elections

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJ. Joseph Garrahy 113,625 82.37
DemocraticGiovanni Folcarelli24,31417.63
Total votes137,939 100.00

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]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticJ. Joseph Garrahy 218,561 54.82%
RepublicanJames L. Taft Jr.178,25444.71%
IndependentJohn C. Swift1,2670.32%
LibertarianStewart L. Engel6010.15%
Majority40,307
Turnout398,683
Democratic holdSwing

References