1966 South Carolina gubernatorial election

The 1966 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1966, to select the governor of the state of South Carolina, US. It marked the first time since the gubernatorial election of 1938 that the Democratic candidate faced opposition from a Republican candidate. Governor Robert Evander McNair prevailed as the winner of the election and continued as the 108th governor of South Carolina, but Joseph O. Rogers, Jr. had a respectable showing for the first Republican candidate in 28 years.

1966 South Carolina gubernatorial election

← 1962 November 8, 1966 1970 →
 
Nominee Robert Evander McNair Joseph O. Rogers Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 255,854 184,088
Percentage 58.2% 41.8%

County results
McNair:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Rogers:      50–60%

Governor before election

Robert Evander McNair
Democratic

Elected Governor

Robert Evander McNair
Democratic

Primaries

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Both Governor McNair and Joseph O. Rogers, Jr. faced no opposition in their party's primaries which allowed both candidates to concentrate solely on the general election.

General election

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Candidates

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The general election was held on November 8, 1966, and Robert Evander McNair was elected to continue his term as governor of South Carolina. Turnout was the highest for any gubernatorial election since because it was the first time in 90 years that there was a competitive gubernatorial election.

South Carolina Gubernatorial Election, 1966
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Robert Evander McNair (incumbent) 255,854 58.2 −41.8
Republican Joseph O. Rogers Jr. 184,088 41.8 +41.8
Majority 71,766 16.4 −83.6
Turnout 439,942 49.5 +11.4
Democratic hold
 
1966 South Carolina gubernatorial election map, by percentile by county.
  65+% won by McNair
  60%-64% won by McNair
  55%-59% won by McNair
  50%-54% won by McNair
  50%-54% won by Rogers

See also

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References

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  • "Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume II. Columbia, South Carolina: 1967, p. 18.
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Preceded by
1962
South Carolina gubernatorial elections Succeeded by
1970