1988 Utah gubernatorial election

The 1988 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1988. Republican nominee and incumbent Governor Norman H. Bangerter defeated Democratic nominee Ted Wilson and independent Merrill Cook with 40.13% of the vote. As of 2023, this is the closest a Democrat has come to winning the governorship in Utah since Scott M. Matheson left office in 1985.

Declared

 * Norman H. Bangerter, incumbent Governor
 * Dean Samuels, teacher

Withdrawn

 * Jon Huntsman Sr., industrialist and former White House Staff Secretary

Results
Bangerter defeated Samuels at the state convention on June 11 with over 70% of the vote and therefore avoided a primary.

Declared

 * Ted Wilson, former Mayor of Salt Lake City
 * David E. Hewett, physician

Results
Wilson defeated Hewett at the state convention on June 25 with over 70% of the vote and therefore avoided a primary.

Declared

 * Arly H. Pedersen, National Chairman
 * Lawrence Ray Topham, perennial candidate

Results
Pedersen defeated Topham at the state convention on June 25 with over 70% of the vote and therefore avoided a primary.

Candidates

 * Ted Wilson, Democratic
 * Norm Bangerter, Republican
 * Arly H. Pedersen, American
 * Merrill Cook, Independent
 * Kitty K. Burton, Libertarian