The 1978 Wisconsin Secretary of State election took place on November 7, 1978, to elect the Secretary of State of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democrat Doug La Follette declined to seek re-election, instead running in the primary for Lieutenant Governor. Milwaukee Alderwoman and civil rights activist Vel Phillips was nominated in a field of 9 candidates and defeated Republican Frederic A. Seefeldt. Her election made her the first African American to be elected to a statewide office in Wisconsin.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Vel Phillips, former Milwaukee Alderwoman and civil rights activist
Eliminated in primary Harvey J. Cooper Ada Deer, Native American activist and scholar Michael Jaliman Janet Soergel Mielke, former state representative and union officer Jan A. Olson Thomas F. St. John Benjamin Southwick Rita Wlodarczyk, former staffer for Frank Zeidler's mayoral campaign
Results
Republican primary Frederic A. Seefeldt ran unopposed in the primary
Constitution primary George A. Myers ran unopposed in the primary
General election
Results
References