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.

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1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election

← 1972 November 2, 1976 1980 →

Nominee Jim Hunt David Flaherty Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,081,293 564,102 Percentage 64.99% 33.90%

County results Hunt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Flaherty:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election James Holshouser Republican Elected Governor Jim Hunt Democratic

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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.

As of 2022^[update], this marks the last occasion that the following counties have voted Democratic in a gubernatorial election: Caldwell, Clay, Davidson, Randolph, and Wilkes.^{[original research?]}

Primary elections were held on August 17, 1976.^[1]