1966 Maine gubernatorial election

The 1966 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1966. Incumbent Republican Governor John Reed, had been elected to finish the term of Clinton Clauson in 1960, was then re-elected in 1962 and became the state's first four-year Governor. Reed was seeking a second full four-year term, and was challenged by Democrat Kenneth M. Curtis, having defeated James Erwin for the Republican nomination. Curtis defeated Reed, beginning a twenty-year period of Republican isolation from the Blaine House.

1966 Maine gubernatorial election

November 8, 1966

Nominee Kenneth M. Curtis John H. Reed Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 172,036 151,802 Percentage 53.1% 46.9%

County results Curtis:      50–60%      60–70% Reed:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election John H. Reed Republican Elected Governor Kenneth M. Curtis Democratic

This was the last gubernatorial election in Maine in which a non-incumbent candidate won with a majority of the vote, until Janet Mills won with 50.8% of the vote in 2018. As of 2023, Reed is the most recent incumbent governor to lose re-election; all succeeding Governors have been re-elected, with the exception of James B. Longley, who did not run for re-election in 1978, holding himself to a one-term promise.

Results

Maine gubernatorial election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Kenneth M. Curtis	172,036	53.12%	−
	Republican	John H. Reed (Incumbent)	151,802	46.88%	−
Majority			20,234	6.24%
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing