1978Final results
1978 election for Missouri's 1st District
U.S. House · Missouri
Wm. Lacy Clay (D) won with 66.6% of the vote, defeating Bill White (R) by 35.3 points.
Wm. Lacy ClayDemocrat · winner
66.6%65,950
Bill WhiteRepublican
31.3%30,995
Mary PritchardSocialist Workers
1.4%1,353
Gerald PechenukOther party
0.7%712
99,010 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
Wm. Lacy Clay (D)Bill White (R)
Also on the ballot: Mary Pritchard (Socialist Workers), 1.4%; Gerald Pechenuk (Other party), 0.7%