1978Flipped from RepublicanFinal results
1978 election for New Hampshire Governor
Governor · New Hampshire
Hugh J. Gallen (D) won with 49.4% of the vote, defeating Meldrim Thomson Jr (R) by 4.0 points, a seat Republicans won last time.
Hugh J. GallenDemocrat · winner
49.4%133,133
Meldrim Thomson JrRepublican
45.4%122,464
Wesley PowellIndependent
4.6%12,349
Mabel G. EverettLibertarian
0.5%1,217
Ralph BrewsterIndependent
0.2%424
269,587 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
Hugh J. Gallen (D)Meldrim Thomson Jr (R)
Also on the ballot: Wesley Powell (Independent), 4.6%; Mabel G. Everett (Libertarian), 0.5%; Ralph Brewster (Independent), 0.2%