1977 Virginia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1977 United States gubernatorial elections.

In the 1977 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr., a Republican, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. John N. Dalton, the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, was nominated by the Republican Party to run against the Democratic nominee, former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Henry Howell.^[2]

1977 Virginia gubernatorial election

← 1973 November 8, 1977 1981 →
Turnout	62.7% (voting eligible)^[1]
Nominee John N. Dalton Henry Howell Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 699,302 541,319 Percentage 55.9% 43.3%
County and independent city results Dalton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Howell:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election Mills E. Godwin, Jr. Republican Elected Governor John N. Dalton Republican

This was the only instance in Virginia's history in which the Republican Party won the gubernatorial election for a third time consecutively.

As of 2023^[update], this was the most recent Virginia gubernatorial election in which a Republican won Richmond, Arlington County and the city of Falls Church, as well as the most recent one in which both major party candidates are now deceased.^{[original research?]}

Democratic nomination

Candidates

• Henry Howell, former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and candidate in 1969 and 1973
• Andrew P. Miller, Attorney General of Virginia

Candidates

Candidates

• John N. Dalton, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia (Republican)
• Henry Howell, former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and candidate in 1969 and 1973 (Democratic)
• Alan Ogden (Independent)

Results

Virginia gubernatorial election, 1977^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John N. Dalton	699,302	55.90%	+5.19%
	Democratic	Henry Howell	541,319	43.27%	-5.99%
	Independent	Alan Ogden	10,101	0.81%
	Write-ins		218	0.02%
Majority			157,983	12.63%	+11.18%
Turnout			1,250,940
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. Virginia Department of Elections (2016). . The Commonwealth of Virginia. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
2. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 24, 2014. Retrieved July 17, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. "Our Campaigns - VA Governor Race - Nov 08, 1977".