1979 Kentucky gubernatorial election

The 1979 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1979. Democratic nominee John Y. Brown Jr. defeated Republican nominee Louie Nunn with 59.41% of the vote.

Primary elections
Primary elections were held on May 29, 1979.

Candidates

 * John Y. Brown Jr., businessman
 * Harvey I. Sloane, former Mayor of Louisville
 * Terry McBrayer, former State Representative
 * Carroll Hubbard, U.S. Representative
 * Thelma Stovall, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
 * Lyle L. Willis
 * George L. Atkins, Kentucky State Auditor
 * Doris Shuja Binion
 * John J. Weikel

Results
[[File:1979 Kentucky gubernatorial election democratic primary results map by county.svg|thumb|center|350px|Democratic primary results by county. Map legend

{{legend|#7996E2|Brown—50–60%}}

{{legend|#A5B0FF|Brown—40–50%}}

{{legend|#BDD3FF|Brown—30–40%}}

{{legend|#DFEEFF|Brown—20–30%}}

{{legend|#FF80B2|Sloane—50–60%}}

{{legend|#FFAACC|Sloane—40–50%}}

{{legend|#FFC5DA|Sloane—30–40%}}

{{legend|#FFDCEC|Sloane—20–30%}}

{{legend|#2ca02c|McBrayer—70–80%}}

{{legend|#37c837|McBrayer—60–70%}}

{{legend|#5fd35f|McBrayer—50–60%}}

{{legend|#87de87|McBrayer—40–50%}}

{{legend|#aae5aa|McBrayer—30–40%}}

{{legend|#c0f0c0|McBrayer—20–30%}}

{{legend|#EE8E50|Hubbard—60–70%}}

{{legend|#FF9A50|Hubbard—50–60%}}

{{legend|#FFB580|Hubbard—40–50%}}

{{legend|#FFCCA9|Hubbard—30–40%}}

{{legend|#FFDAC1|Hubbard—20–30%}}

{{legend|#cc5e5d|Stovall—40–50%}} ]]

Candidates

 * Louie Nunn, former Governor
 * Ray B. White
 * Elmer Begley Jr.
 * Thurman Jerome Hamlin

Candidates

 * John Y. Brown Jr., Democratic
 * Louie Nunn, Republican