1978Final results
1978 election for Alaska Governor
Governor · Alaska
Jay Hammond (R) won with 39.1% of the vote, defeating Wally Hickel (Oth) by 12.6 points.
Jay HammondRepublican · winner
39.1%49,580
Wally HickelOther party
26.4%33,555
Chancy CroftDemocrat
20.2%25,656
Tom KellyIndependent
12.3%15,656
Don WrightIndependent
1.9%2,463
126,910 votes
Source: English WikipediaUpdated Oct 5, 2026, 4:05 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978
Races before and after
Source: English WikipediaUpdated Oct 5, 2026, 4:05 AM ET
The candidates
Jay Hammond (R)Wally Hickel (OTH)Chancy Croft (D)Tom Kelly (I)
Also on the ballot: Don Wright (Independent), 1.9%