The 1978 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978, to elect the governor of Alabama. Fob James, a businessman who had switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party and campaigned as a "born-again Democrat", won the Democratic primary in an upset over Attorney General Bill Baxley. He went on to defeat Guy Hunt in a landslide in the general election. Incumbent Democrat George Wallace was term limited and could not seek a third consecutive term; he later successfully ran again in 1982.
Hunt was the first Republican to win Cullman County since Reconstruction.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Bill Baxley, Attorney General of Alabama
- Jere Beasley, Lieutenant Governor
- Albert Brewer, former Governor
- Jim Folsom, former Governor
- K. C. Foster
- Horace Howell
- Fob James, businessman
- Sid McDonald, State Senator
- Bob Muncaster
- Shorty Price, perennial candidate
- Fred Sandefer
- Cornelia Wallace, former First Lady of Alabama
- Charles Woods, businessman and perennial candidate
Results
Despite entering the race as a former Republican with low name identification and little political experience, by the time of the primary, James led Baxley, Beasley, and Brewer, who were considered the main contenders, in the polls. James placed first in the primary, followed by Baxley. Fob James then won the primary runoff against Bill Baxley.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Guy Hunt, former Cullman County Probate Judge
General election
Results
Fob James won all but two counties: Cullman, where Hunt had been Probate Judge; and Winston, a traditionally Republican stronghold.