The 1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Democratic nominee Jim Hunt defeated Republican nominee David T. Flaherty with 64.99% of the vote.
This election marked the last time an incumbent North Carolina governor was ineligible to run for reelection to a second term before the adoption of an amendment allowing such runs.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on August 17, 1976.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jim Hunt, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
- Edward O'Herron Jr., chairman of Eckerd Drugs and former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
- George Wood, former member of the North Carolina Senate
- Thomas Strickland, incumbent member of the North Carolina Senate
- Andy Barker, incumbent Mayor of Love Valley, North Carolina
17.6% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.
Republican primary
Candidates
- David Flaherty, former State Senator
- Coy Privette, Baptist pastor
- Jacob F. Alexander, former North Carolina Secretary of Transportation
- Wallace McCall
3% of the voting age population participated in the Republican primary.
General election
Candidates
Major party candidates
- Jim Hunt, Democratic
- David T. Flaherty, Republican
Other candidates
- Herbert F. Seawell Jr., American
- Arlan K. Andrews, Libertarian