1966 Idaho gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1966 Idaho gubernatorial election
Country:Idaho
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1962 Idaho gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1962
Next Election:1970 Idaho gubernatorial election
Next Year:1970
Election Date:November 8, 1966
Image1:File:Don Samuelson.jpg
Nominee1:Don Samuelson
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:104,586
Percentage1:41.41%
Nominee2:Cecil Andrus
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:93,744
Percentage2:37.11%
Nominee4:Perry Swisher
Party4:Independent politician
Popular Vote4:30,913
Percentage4:12.24%
Nominee5:Philip Jungert
Party5:Independent politician
Popular Vote5:23,139
Percentage5:9.16%
Map Size:250px
Governor
Before Election:Robert E. Smylie
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Don Samuelson
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1966 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 8. Republican nominee Don Samuelson defeated Democratic nominee Cecil Andrus with 41.4% of the vote in a four-way race (two independents).[1]

In early August, three-term incumbent Robert E. Smylie, the dean of American governors, was soundly defeated in the Republican primary by Samuelson.[2] Andrus was a close runner-up in the Democratic primary to Charles Herndon,[2] who was killed in a plane crash six weeks later in September.[3] [4]

This was the sixth consecutive Republican victory for governor, but Democrats won the next six, with four by Andrus. The next gubernatorial election in 1970 was a rematch, with different results.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 2, 1966.[2] [5]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

Other candidates

Results

Notes and References

  1. News: Which of the four will be next Governor of Idaho? . Lewiston Morning Tribune . Associated Press . November 5, 1962 . 1, section 3.
  2. News: Smylie loses, Herndon holds edge on Andrus. Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. August 3, 1966 . 1.
  3. News: Air crash kills Idaho candidate for governor. Morning-Record. (Meriden, Connecticut). Associated Press. September 16, 1966. 17.
  4. News: Andrus is likely ballot successor . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . Associated Press . September 16, 1966 . 1.
  5. Book: Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc . 2005 . CQ Press . 9781568029818 . 2019-02-20.