The Maryland county executive elections of 1978 took place on November 7, 1978. Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County elected county executives.

Anne Arundel County

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • Daniel J. Bedsole, barber shop owner[2]

Results

Republican primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert A. Pascal (incumbent) 9,165 81.8%
Republican Daniel J. Bedsole 2,034 18.2%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Elmer E. Dunn Sr., accountant[2]
Eliminated in primary
  • Charles G. Taylor, administrative hearing officer[2]
  • Marvin O. Morris, perennial candidate[2]
  • Frederick R. Poole, retired business consultant and perennial candidate[2]

Results

Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elmer E. Dunn Sr. 13,296 45.2%
Democratic Charles G. Taylor 10,815 36.8%
Democratic Marvin O. Morris 3,126 10.6%
Democratic Frederick R. Poole 2,157 7.3%

General election

Results

Anne Arundel County Executive election, 1978[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert A. Pascal (incumbent) 49,323 62.2%
Democratic Elmer E. Dunn Sr. 30,013 37.8%
Republican hold

Baltimore County

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • Lorraine F. Chircus, county school board member[6]
  • John C. Coolahan, state senator[7]
  • S. Eric DiNenna, county zoning commissioner[8]
  • Edward A. Griffith, real estate broker[9]
  • John V. Murphy, county councilmember[10]
  • Howard J. Needle, state delegate[11]

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donald P. Hutchinson 28,637 23.5%
Democratic John C. Coolahan 24,969 20.5%
Democratic Howard J. Neelde 23,054 18.9%
Democratic John V. Murphy 21,159 17.3%
Democratic S. Eric DiNenna 15,535 12.7%
Democratic Edward A. Griffith 5,337 4.4%
Democratic Lorraine F. Chircus 3,302 2.7%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Eugene L. Kibbe Jr., county councilmember[12]
Eliminated in primary
  • Joan L. Edwards[13]
  • Clarence E. Ritter, county councilmember[14]

Results

Republican primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eugene L. Kibbe Jr. 10,622 56.0%
Republican Clarence E. Ritter 5,881 31.0%
Republican Joan L. Edwards 2,461 13.0%

General election

Results

Baltimore County Executive election, 1978[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donald P. Hutchinson 106,518 58.0%
Republican Eugene L. Kibbe Jr. 77,006 42.0%
Democratic hold

Harford County

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • Charles B. Anderson Jr., incumbent county executive[17]
  • William Cooper Jr., county councilmember[18]

Results

Democratic primary results[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Thomas Barranger 7,685 43.5%
Democratic Charles B. Anderson Jr. (incumbent) 5,539 31.3%
Democratic William Cooper Jr. 4,453 25.2%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • William B. Davidson Jr., former chair of the Harford County Economic Development Commission[20]
Eliminated in primary
  • C. Joseph Bernardo, history professor[21]

Results

Republican primary results[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William B. Davidson Jr. 2,824 63.1%
Republican C. Joseph Bernardo 1,650 36.9%

General election

Results

Harford County Executive election, 1978[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Thomas Barranger 18,533 60.6%
Republican William B. Davidson Jr. 12,069 39.4%
Democratic hold

Howard County

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • Edward L. Cochran, incumbent county executive[24]
  • William B. Davidson Jr., former justice of the peace[25]

Results

Democratic primary results[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Hugh Nichols 9,257 57.2%
Democratic Edward L. Cochran (incumbent) 6,083 37.6%
Democratic C. Howard Strahler, Jr. 848 5.2%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • James S. Ansell, lawyer and candidate for Howard County Executive in 1970[27]

Results

Republican primary results[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James S. Ansell Unopposed

General election

Results

Howard County Executive election, 1978[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Hugh Nichols 23,134 79.5%
Republican James S. Ansell 5,970 20.5%
Democratic hold

Montgomery County

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Richmond M. Keeney, former county councilmember[29]
Eliminated in primary
  • Albert Ceccone, real estate and insurance broker[30]
  • Gerald C. Warren[30]

Results

Republican primary results[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richmond M. Keeney 11,385 57.2%
Republican Albert Ceccone 5,198 26.1%
Republican Gerald C. Warren 3,304 16.6%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • Royce Hanson, chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board[33]
  • John L. Menke, county councilmember[34]

Results

Democratic primary results[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles W. Gilchrist 28,418 47.0%
Democratic Royce Hanson 20,141 33.3%
Democratic John L. Menke 11,881 19.7%

General election

Results

Montgomery County Executive election, 1978[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles W. Gilchrist 98,385 62.4%
Republican Richmond M. Keeney 59,298 37.6%
Democratic gain from Republican

Prince George's County

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • John Lee Ball Jr., newspaper ad salesman[37]
  • Vincent Goodsell, former director of the Prince George's County Aging Programs[37]
  • John Eugene Sellner, real estate sales associate[37]

Results

Democratic primary results[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Winfield M. Kelly Jr. (incumbent) 29,003 57.9%
Democratic Vincent Goodsell 9,384 18.7%
Democratic John Lee Ball Jr. 8,094 16.2%
Democratic John Eugene Sellner 3,607 7.2%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • Martin Aragona, real estate developer[40]
  • Dale Everett[41]

Results

Republican primary results[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lawrence Hogan 9,831 72.1%
Republican Martin Aragona 3,309 24.3%
Republican Dale D. Everett 495 3.6%

General election

Results

Prince George's County Executive election, 1978[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lawrence Hogan 66,424 57.9%
Democratic Winfield M. Kelly Jr. (incumbent) 48,207 42.1%
Republican gain from Democratic

References

  1. ↑ Shultz, Michael (February 7, 1978). "Pascal steps out of race for governor". The Baltimore Sun. p. 21. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Bainbridge, J. S. Jr. (July 4, 1978). "5 Democrats file bids for Arundel's top post". The Baltimore Sun. p. 27. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 "Anne Arundel County voting results". The Baltimore Sun. September 14, 1978. p. 44. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Anne Arundel County vote, questions totals". The Baltimore Sun. November 8, 1978. p. 51. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Pietila, Antero (November 22, 1977). "Hutchinson to run for county executive". The Baltimore Sun. p. 27. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Baltimore County Executive primary candidate listing". The Baltimore Sun. July 6, 1978. p. 19. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ James, Ellen L. (March 11, 1977). "Senator Coolahan declares he'll run for Baltimore County Executive in '78". The Baltimore Sun. p. 35. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "DiNenna is Executive Candidate". The Baltimore Sun. 7 June 1978. p. 48. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 3 "Baltimore County primary election returns, 1978". The Baltimore Sun. September 14, 1978. p. 44. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Murphy joins race for executive". The Baltimore Sun. February 9, 1978. p. 47. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Pietila, Antero (May 27, 1978). "Needle to join race for county executive". The Baltimore Sun. p. 17. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ James, Ellen L. (May 17, 1978). "County Executive Race Continues To Be 'Wide Open'". The Baltimore Sun. p. 45. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "9 candidates now vying for top county post". The Baltimore Sun. June 30, 1978. p. 33. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Pietila, Antero (April 20, 1978). "Ritter enters GOP race for top county post". The Baltimore Sun. p. 54. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Baltimore County election returns, 1978". The Baltimore Sun. November 8, 1978. p. 51. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Barranger says he wants to be county executive". The Aegis. October 27, 1977. p. 2. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ Hall, Wiley 3rd (April 19, 1978). "He will seek re-election, Harford's Anderson says". The Baltimore Sun. p. 56. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ Goldberg, Edna (July 3, 1978). "Cooper in race for Harford executive". The Baltimore Sun. p. 22. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. 1 2 "Harford County primary election returns, 1978". The Baltimore Sun. September 14, 1978. p. 45. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "Harford chief of development panel to resign". The Baltimore Sun. December 29, 1977. p. 35. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "History professor to seek Harford GOP nomination". The Baltimore Sun. January 12, 1978. p. 46. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Harford Candidates, Question Totals". The Baltimore Sun. November 8, 1978. p. 52. Retrieved February 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ "Nichols to oppose Cochran in Howard". The Baltimore Sun. April 18, 1978. p. 22. Retrieved March 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "Cochran to seek re-election in Howard County". The Baltimore Sun. February 28, 1978. p. 36. Retrieved March 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "3 candidates file for posts in Howard". The Baltimore Sun. May 23, 1978. p. 30. Retrieved March 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. 1 2 "Howard County primary election returns, 1978". The Baltimore Sun. September 14, 1978. p. 44. Retrieved March 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ Thibou, Arnold (August 3, 1978). "Candidates reveal a difference in styles". The Baltimore Sun. p. 23. Retrieved March 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ "Howard County election returns, 1978". The Baltimore Sun. November 8, 1978. p. 52. Retrieved March 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ Hall, Carla (April 18, 1978). "Keeney Seeking Election As Montgomery Executive". The Washington Post. ProQuest 146884850. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  30. 1 2 Diehl, Jackson (September 6, 1978). "GOP Hopeful Works Hard For Attention". The Washington Post. ProQuest 146912285. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Montgomery County". The Washington Post. September 14, 1978. ProQuest 146924276. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  32. ↑ Hall, Carla (November 24, 1977). "Gilchrist Launches Campaign for Montgomery County Executive". The Washington Post. ProQuest 146685048. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  33. ↑ Meyers, Robert; Hall, Carla (May 24, 1978). "Montgomery Executive Race Joined by Hanson". The Washington Post. ProQuest 146944173. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  34. ↑ Johnson, Janis (June 13, 1978). "John Menke Enters Race for Executive". The Washington Post. ProQuest 146916178. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Montgomery County". The Washington Post. ProQuest 146887789. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  36. ↑ Maraniss, David A. (June 29, 1978). "Kelly seeks 2nd term on 'new quality'". The Washington Post. ProQuest 146879575. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  37. 1 2 3 "P.G. County Executive: Four Democrats Make Bids". The Washington Post. September 7, 1978. ProQuest 146915226. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  38. 1 2 "Prince George's County". The Washington Post. September 14, 1978. ProQuest 146979198. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Hogan, back in politics, out to beat friend Kelly". The Washington Post. July 9, 1978. ProQuest 146855476. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  40. ↑ Maraniss, David A. (March 12, 1978). "Oxon Hill builder enters GOP race for county post". The Washington Post. ProQuest 146921527. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Candidates for State, Local Races in Sept. 12 Primary". The Washington Post. July 6, 1978. ProQuest 146902469. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Prince George's County Results". The Washington Post. November 9, 1978. ProQuest 146881704. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_Maryland_county_executive_elections