1978 Maryland gubernatorial election

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The 1978 Maryland gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Democrat Harry Hughes won the governor’s race, defeating Republican John Glenn Beall Jr. by a large margin, 70.62% to 29.38%.

Primary elections were held on September 12, 1978.

Democratic primary
- Candidates: Harry Hughes (former Maryland State Senator), Blair Lee III (incumbent Lieutenant Governor), Ted Venetoulis (County Executive of Baltimore County), Walter S. Orlinsky (Baltimore City Council President).
- Results:
- Harry Hughes: 213,457 votes (37.23%)
- Blair Lee III: 194,236 votes (33.88%)
- Ted Venetoulis: 140,486 votes (24.50%)
- Walter S. Orlinsky: 25,200 votes (4.40%)
- Hughes won the Democratic nomination.

Republican primary
- Candidates: John Glenn Beall Jr. (former U.S. Senator), Carlton Beall (former Postmaster General of Washington, D.C.), Louise Gore (former Maryland State Senator), Ross Zimmerman Pierpont (perennial candidate).
- Results:
- John Glenn Beall Jr.: 76,011 votes (57.69%)
- Carlton Beall: 30,119 votes (22.86%)
- Louise Gore: 20,690 votes (15.70%)
- Ross Zimmerman Pierpont: 4,940 votes (3.75%)
- Beall won the Republican nomination.

General election
- Candidates: Harry Hughes (Democratic) and John Glenn Beall Jr. (Republican).
- Results: Hughes 705,910 votes (70.62%), Beall 293,635 votes (29.38%).
- Turnout: 1,011,963 voters.

Context
- The governor before the election was Marvin Mandel, a Democrat. Harry Hughes, also a Democrat, was elected governor.