1978 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

1978 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

November 7, 1978

Nominee Mike Curb Mervyn Dymally Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 3,493,980 2,928,329 Percentage 51.64% 43.28%

County results Curb:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Dymally:      40–50%      50–60%

Lieutenant Governor before election Mervyn Dymally Democratic Elected Lieutenant Governor Mike Curb Republican

The 1978 California lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Republican nominee Mike Curb defeated Democratic incumbent Mervyn Dymally with 51.64% of the vote. As of 2025, this was the last time a Republican was elected lieutenant governor of California.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 6, 1978.[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Mervyn Dymally, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
• Patricia E. "Penny" Raven
• Patrick Matthew Fitzpatrick
• Abe Tapia

Results

Democratic primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mervyn Dymally (incumbent)	1,749,227	55.33
	Democratic	Patricia E. "Penny" Raven	686,157	21.71
	Democratic	Patrick Matthew Fitzpatrick	551,896	17.46
	Democratic	Abe Tapia	173,924	5.50
Total votes			3,161,204	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Mike Curb, musician
• Michael D. Antonovich, State Assemblyman

Results

Republican primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Curb	1,250,096	53.66
	Republican	Michael D. Antonovich	1,079,587	46.34
Total votes			2,329,683	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Mike Curb, Republican
• Mervyn Dymally, Democratic

Other candidates

• Houston Myers, American Independent
• Jan B. Tucker, Peace and Freedom

Results

1978 California lieutenant gubernatorial election[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Curb	3,493,980	51.64%	+5.32%
	Democratic	Mervyn Dymally (incumbent)	2,928,329	43.28%	−5.91%
	American Independent	Houston Myers	180,922	2.67%	+0.74%
	Peace and Freedom	Jan B. Tucker	162,341	2.40%	−0.14%
Majority			565,651
Turnout
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

References

1. "Statement of Vote". Secretary of State of California. 1978. Retrieved May 4, 2021.