1976 West Virginia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1976 United States gubernatorial elections.

1976 West Virginia gubernatorial election

November 2, 1976

Nominee Jay Rockefeller Cecil H. Underwood Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 495,661 253,420 Percentage 66.15% 33.82%

County results Rockefeller:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Underwood:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Arch A. Moore, Jr. Republican Elected Governor Jay Rockefeller Democratic

The 1976 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1976, to elect the governor of West Virginia. Democrat Jay Rockefeller, the nephew of the then current Vice President of the United States, Nelson Rockefeller, defeated Republican Cecil Underwood.

Results

Democratic primary

Primary results by county:

  Rockefeller

•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%

  Sprouse

•   50–60%
•   60–70%

West Virginia Democratic gubernatorial primary, 1976

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jay Rockefeller	206,732	49.68
	Democratic	James Marshall Sprouse	118,707	28.52
	Democratic	Ken Hechler	52,791	12.69
	Democratic	John G. Hutchinson	26,222	6.30
	Democratic	Ezra H. Graley	4,249	1.02
	Democratic	Powell Lane	3,536	0.85
	Democratic	H. John Rogers	2,345	0.56
Total votes			414,582	100

Republican primary

West Virginia Republican gubernatorial primary, 1976

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Cecil H. Underwood	97,671	64.36
	Republican	Ralph Albertazzie	44,393	29.25
	Republican	Melton Maloney	3,408	2.25
	Republican	Larry Lunsford	2,593	1.71
	Republican	John Lusher	2,442	1.61
	Republican	E. E. Cumptan	1,257	0.83
Total votes			151,764	100

General election

West Virginia gubernatorial election, 1976

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jay Rockefeller	495,661	66.15
	Republican	Cecil H. Underwood	253,420	33.82
	Other	Write-ins	189	0.03
Total votes			749,270	100
	Democratic gain from Republican