1978 Maryland county executive elections

1978 Maryland county executive elections

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982  →
All 6 of Maryland's county executive seats
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 4 2 Seats won 4 2 Seat change
Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80% Republican   50-60%   60-70%

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

• Robert A. Pascal, incumbent county executive (previously ran for governor) ^[1]

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

• Donald P. Hutchinson, state senator ^[5]

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

• J. Thomas Barranger, candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates in 1974 ^[16]

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

• J. Hugh Nichols, state delegate ^[23]

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

• Charles W. Gilchrist, state senator ^[32]

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

• Winfield M. Kelly Jr., incumbent county executive ^[36]

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

• Lawrence Hogan, former U.S. representative from Maryland's 5th congressional district ^[39]

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. 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. "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. "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.
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. "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. "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 . Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
30. Diehl, Jackson (September 6, 1978). "GOP Hopeful Works Hard For Attention". The Washington Post . Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
31. "Montgomery County". The Washington Post . September 14, 1978. Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
32. Hall, Carla (November 24, 1977). "Gilchrist Launches Campagin for Montgomery County Executive". The Washington Post . Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
33. Meyers, Robert; Hall, Carla (May 24, 1978). "Montgomery Executive Race Joined by Hanson". The Washington Post . Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
34. Johnson, Janis (June 13, 1978). "John Menke Enters Race for Executive". The Washington Post . Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
35. "Montgomery County". The Washington Post . Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
36. Maraniss, David A. (June 29, 1978). "Kelly seeks 2nd term on 'new quality'". The Washington Post . Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
37. "P.G. County Executive: Four Democrats Make Bids". The Washington Post . September 7, 1978. Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
38. "Prince George's County". The Washington Post . September 14, 1978. Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
39. "Hogan, back in politics, out to beat friend Kelly". The Washington Post . July 9, 1978. Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
40. Maraniss, David A. (March 12, 1978). "Oxon Hill builder enters GOP race for county post". The Washington Post . Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
41. "Candidates for State, Local Races in Sept. 12 Primary". The Washington Post . July 6, 1978. Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.
42. "Prince George's County Results". The Washington Post. November 9, 1978. Retrieved March 1, 2025– via ProQuest.