1978 Texas State Treasurer election

1978 Texas State Treasurer Democratic primary election
May 6, 1978
 
Nominee Warren Harding Harry Ledbetter C. R. Sanderson
Party Democratic Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 810,320 491,592 208,012
Percentage 53.7% 32.6% 13.8%

The 1978 Texas State Treasurer election was held on November 7, 1978, to elect the Texas State Treasurer. The primary election was held on May 6, 1978. Democratic incumbent Warren Harding won a contested primary narrowly avoiding a runoff election against former Texas A&M quarterback Harry Ledbetter. At the time Texas, like other Southern States, was dominated by the Democratic party and winning the primary was tantamount to winning the general election. Following this pattern, Harding went on to win the general election facing only minor opposition.

Democratic primary

Background

The long-time incumbent of the office, Jesse James, passed away in 1977, after having served as State Treasurer for almost 36 years. Governor Dolph Briscoe appointed the Treasurer of Dallas County Warren G. Harding, no relation to the President of the same name, to fill the vacancy. Harding had previously run for the seat before in 1956, but had lost the primary to James.

Candidates

  • Warren Glenn Harding, incumbent Treasurer
  • Harry Ledbetter, former Texas A&M quarterback[1][2]
  • C. R. "Charlie" Sanderson[3]

Results

Democratic primary [4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Warren Harding (incumbent) 810,320 53.7
Democratic Harry Ledbetter 491,592 32.6
Democratic C. R. Sanderson 208,012 13.8
Total votes 1,509,924 100.0

General election

Results

1978 Texas State Treasurer election [5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Warren G. Harding (incumbent) 1,565,076 97.03 Increase32.45
Socialist Workers Derrick Adams 47,716 2.96 N/A
Write-in Bob Garrett Kunta Kinte 132 0.01 N/A
Total votes 1,612,924 100.00
Democratic hold

References

  1. ↑ Griffin, Tim (February 11, 2009). "Remembering the player who caught 'The Texas Special'". www.espn.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Vote Saturday, May 6 in the Democratic Primary for HARRY LEDBETTER A&M '67". The Battalion. College Station, TX. May 1, 1978. p. 11. Retrieved August 6, 2026 – via Texas A&M Newspaper Collection.
  3. ↑ "Democratic Candidates Draw Ballot Positions". The Alvin Sun. March 23, 1978. p. 1 – via The Portal to Texas History.
  4. ↑ "1978-11-07 Treasurer Election Results for Texas". RightDataUSA. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  5. ↑ "1978 State Treasurer General Election Results - Texas". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
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