1976 Montana gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1976 United States gubernatorial elections.

1976 Montana gubernatorial election

←  1972 November 2, 1976 1980  →
Turnout	74.60%10.00 [1]
Nominee Thomas Lee Judge Bob Woodahl Party Democratic Republican Running mate Ted Schwinden Antoinette Fraser Rosell Popular vote 195,420 115,848 Percentage 61.7% 36.6%
County results Judge:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Woodahl:      40–50%     50–60% Mahoney:      50–60%
Governor before election Thomas Lee Judge Democratic Elected Governor Thomas Lee Judge Democratic

The 1976 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Governor of Montana Thomas Lee Judge, who was first elected in 1972, ran for re-election. He won the Democratic primary unopposed, and moved on to the general election, where he was opposed by Bob Woodahl, the Attorney General of Montana and the Republican nominee. Ultimately, Judge defeated Woodahl by a landslide to win his second and final term as governor.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Thomas Lee Judge, incumbent Governor of Montana

Results

Democratic Party primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas Lee Judge (incumbent)	79,596	100.00
Total votes			79,596	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Bob Woodahl, Attorney General of Montana
• Jack McDonald, State Senator

Results

Republican Primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Woodahl	47,629	56.67
	Republican	Jack McDonald	36,420	43.33
Total votes			84,049	100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1976 ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Thomas Lee Judge (incumbent)	195,420	61.70%	+7.58%
	Republican	Bob Woodahl	115,848	36.58%	−9.30%
	Independent	Charlie Mahoney	5,452	1.72%
Majority			79,572	25.12%	+16.88%
Turnout			316,720
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
2. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 1, 1976". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
3. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Votes Cast at the General Election Held in the State of Montana, November 2, 1976". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 5, 2014.