1978 Ohio State Treasurer election

1978 Ohio State Treasurer election

←  1974 November 7, 1978 1982  →

Nominee Gertrude Walton Donahey George C. Rogers Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,639,317 941,852 Percentage 63.51% 36.49%

County results Donahey:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Rogers:     50–60%

Ohio State Treasurer before election Gertrude Walton Donahey Democratic Elected Ohio State Treasurer Gertrude Walton Donahey Democratic

The 1978 Ohio State Treasurer election was held on November 7, 1978, to elect the Ohio State Treasurer. Primaries were held on June 6, 1978. Democratic incumbent Ohio State Treasurer Gertrude Walton Donahey won re-election to a third term in a landslide, defeating Republican Whitehall City Attorney George C. Rogers by 27 percentage points.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Gertrude Walton Donahey, incumbent Ohio State Treasurer (1971–1983)

Campaign

Donahey won renomination unopposed.

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gertrude Walton Donahey	471,711	100.00%
Total votes			471,711	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• George C. Rogers, Whitehall City Attorney
• Richard H. Harris
• Sam Speck, Ohio State Senator (1977–1983)

Campaign

George C. Rogers narrowly won the Republican nomination by one percentage point over his closest opponent Richard H. Harris.

Results

Republican primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George C. Rogers	164,674	35.76%
	Republican	Richard H. Harris	159,754	34.69%
	Republican	Sam Speck	136,123	29.56%
Total votes			460,551	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Gertrude Walton Donahey, incumbent Ohio State Treasurer (1971–1983) (Democratic)
• George C. Rogers, Whitehall City Attorney (Republican)

Results

1978 Ohio State Treasurer election results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Gertrude Walton Donahey	1,639,317	63.51%	+0.35%
	Republican	George C. Rogers	941,852	36.49%	−0.35%
Total votes			2,581,169	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Democratic Primary: June 6, 1978 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
2. "Republican Primary: June 6, 1978 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
3. "General Election: November 7, 1978 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2025.