1966 Nevada gubernatorial election

The 1966 Nevada gubernatorial election occurred on November 8, 1966. Incumbent Democrat Grant Sawyer, who was challenged in the Democratic primary by Charles E. Springer, ran unsuccessfully for re-election to a third term as Governor of Nevada. He was defeated by Republican nominee Paul Laxalt.

1966 Nevada gubernatorial election

← 1962 November 8, 1966 (1966-11-08) 1970 →
 
Nominee Paul Laxalt Grant Sawyer
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 71,807 65,870
Percentage 52.16% 47.84%

County results
Laxalt:      50–60%      60–70%
Sawyer:      50–60%

Governor before election

Grant Sawyer
Democratic

Elected Governor

Paul Laxalt
Republican

Primary elections

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Primary elections were held on September 6, 1966.[1]

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • Joseph Michael Kadans
  • Edward G. Marshall
  • George C. Moore
  • Dr. Robert (Bob) Mortensen
  • Grant Sawyer
  • Charles E. Springer

Results

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Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Grant Sawyer 40,982 58.62%
Democratic Edward G. Marshall 13,858 19.82%
Democratic Charles E. Springer 13,270 18.98%
Democratic Dr. Robert (Bob) Mortensen 699 1.00%
Democratic George C. Moore 593 0.85%
Democratic Joseph Michael Kadans 514 0.74%
Total votes 69,916 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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  • Paul Laxalt
  • John P. Screen

Results

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Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Laxalt 32,768 94.70%
Republican John P. Screen 1,834 5.30%
Total votes 34,602 100.00%

General election

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Candidates

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  • Grant Sawyer, Democratic
  • Paul Laxalt, Republican
Nevada gubernatorial election, 1966[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Laxalt 71,807 52.16% +18.99%
Democratic Grant Sawyer (inc.) 65,870 47.84% −18.99%
Majority 5,937 4.31%
Total votes 137,677 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing +37.99%

County results

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County Paul Laxalt
Republican
Grant Sawyer
Democratic
Margin Total votes cast[2]
# % # % # %
Churchill 1,919 55.35% 1,548 44.65% 371 10.70% 3,467
Clark 32,116 49.62% 32,603 50.38% -487 -0.75% 64,719
Douglas 1,521 60.33% 1,000 39.67% 521 20.67% 2,521
Elko 2,199 46.19% 2,562 53.81% -363 -7.62% 4,761
Esmeralda 138 41.95% 191 58.05% -53 -16.11% 329
Eureka 293 56.89% 222 43.11% 71 13.79% 515
Humboldt 1,308 52.93% 1,163 47.07% 145 5.87% 2,471
Lander 410 42.09% 564 57.91% -154 -15.81% 974
Lincoln 687 52.40% 624 47.60% 63 4.81% 1,311
Lyon 1,719 58.87% 1,201 41.13% 518 17.74% 2,920
Mineral 1,266 46.75% 1,442 53.25% -176 -6.50% 2,708
Nye 919 48.57% 973 51.43% -54 -2.85% 1,892
Ormsby 3,198 58.52% 2,267 41.48% 931 17.04% 5,465
Pershing 618 50.70% 601 49.30% 17 1.39% 1,219
Storey 235 48.35% 251 51.65% -16 -3.29% 486
Washoe 21,323 56.34% 16,526 43.66% 4,797 12.67% 37,849
White Pine 1,938 47.62% 2,132 52.38% -194 -4.77% 4,070
Totals 71,807 52.16% 65,870 47.84% 5,937 4.31% 137,677

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "1966 Primary Election Returns". Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Nevada Secretary of State. Official Returns of the General Election of 1966. Carson City, Nevada: State Printing Office. p. 6.