1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election

The 1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Democratic nominee Jim Hunt defeated Republican nominee David T. Flaherty with 64.99% of the vote.

This election marked the last time an incumbent North Carolina governor was ineligible to run for reelection to a second term before the adoption of an amendment allowing such runs.

, this marks the last occasion that the following counties have voted Democratic in a gubernatorial election: Caldwell, Clay, Davidson, Randolph, and Wilkes.

Primary elections
Primary elections were held on August 17, 1976.

Candidates

 * Jim Hunt, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
 * Edward O'Herron Jr., chairman of Eckerd Drugs and former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
 * George Wood, former member of the North Carolina Senate
 * Thomas Strickland, incumbent member of the North Carolina Senate
 * Andy Barker, incumbent Mayor of Love Valley, North Carolina

Candidates

 * David Flaherty, former State Senator
 * Coy Privette, Baptist pastor
 * Jacob F. Alexander, former North Carolina Secretary of Transportation
 * Wallace McCall

Candidates
Major party candidates
 * Jim Hunt, Democratic
 * David T. Flaherty, Republican

Other candidates
 * Herbert F. Seawell Jr., American
 * Arlan K. Andrews, Libertarian