1966 Idaho gubernatorial election
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 County results Samuelson: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Andrus: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Idaho |
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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
- Charles Herndon, Salmon attorney
- Cecil Andrus, Orofino state senator
- William J. Dee, Grangeville state senator
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Charles Herndon | 28,926 | 40.75 | |
| Democratic | Cecil Andrus | 27,649 | 38.95 | |
| Democratic | William J. Dee | 14,409 | 20.30 | |
| Total votes | 70,984 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Don Samuelson, Sandpoint state senator
- Robert E. Smylie, three-term incumbent governor
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Don Samuelson | 52,891 | 61.04 | |
| Republican | Robert E. Smylie (incumbent) | 33,753 | 38.96 | |
| Total votes | 86,644 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Candidates
Major party candidates
- Don Samuelson, Republican
- Cecil Andrus, Democratic
Other candidates
- Perry Swisher, Independent, Pocatello state senator (Republican)
- Philip Jungert, Independent, Lewiston businessman (Democrat)[1]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Don Samuelson | 104,586 | 41.41% | ||
| Democratic | Cecil Andrus | 93,744 | 37.11% | ||
| Independent | Perry Swisher | 30,913 | 12.24% | ||
| Independent | Philip Jungert | 23,139 | 9.16% | ||
| Majority | 10,842 | ||||
| Turnout | 252,593 | ||||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
References
- ^ a b "Which of the four will be next Governor of Idaho?". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 5, 1962. p. 1, section 3.
- ^ a b c "Smylie loses, Herndon holds edge on Andrus". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. August 3, 1966. p. 1.
- ^ a b "Air crash kills Idaho candidate for governor". Morning-Record. (Meriden, Connecticut). Associated Press. September 16, 1966. p. 17.
- ^ a b "Andrus is likely ballot successor". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. September 16, 1966. p. 1.
- ^ a b c Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- ^ Cook, Rhodes (November 5, 2013). America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. CQ Press. ISBN 9781452290171. Retrieved February 20, 2019.