For related races, see 1966 United States gubernatorial elections.
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 County resultsSamuelson: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Andrus: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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).
In early August, three-term incumbent Robert E. Smylie, the dean of American governors, was soundly defeated in the Republican primary by Samuelson. Andrus was a close runner-up in the Democratic primary to Charles Herndon, who was killed in a plane crash six weeks later in September.
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.
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 | ||
- Herndon was killed in a plane crash in the central Idaho mountains in mid-September.
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)
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
- ^ "Which of the four will be next Governor of Idaho?". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 5, 1962. p. 1, section 3.
- ^ "Smylie loses, Herndon holds edge on Andrus". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. August 3, 1966. p. 1.
- ^ "Air crash kills Idaho candidate for governor". Morning-Record. (Meriden, Connecticut). Associated Press. September 16, 1966. p. 17.
- ^ "Andrus is likely ballot successor". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. September 16, 1966. p. 1.
- ^ 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.
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