1978Final results
1978 election for Maine's 2nd District
U.S. House · Maine
Olympia J. Snowe (R) won with 50.8% of the vote, defeating Markham L. Gartley (D) by 10.0 points.
Olympia J. SnoweRepublican · winner
50.8%87,939
Markham L. GartleyDemocrat
40.9%70,691
Frederick W. WittakerIndependent
4.6%8,035
Eddie ShurtleffIndependent
1.1%1,923
Robert H. BurmeisterIndependent
1.0%1,653
Margaret E. CousinsIndependent
0.9%1,573
Robert L. CousinsIndependent
0.7%1,223
173,037 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Olympia J. Snowe (R)Markham L. Gartley (D)
Also on the ballot: Frederick W. Wittaker (Independent), 4.6%; Eddie Shurtleff (Independent), 1.1%; Robert H. Burmeister (Independent), 1.0%; Margaret E. Cousins (Independent), 0.9%; Robert L. Cousins (Independent), 0.7%