The 1978 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978, to elect the governor of Alabama. Incumbent Democratic Governor George Wallace did not run for re-election. 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.
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
Results
General election
Results
Fob James won all but two counties: Cullman, where Hunt had been Probate Judge; and Winston, a traditionally Republican stronghold.