The 1966 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1966, to select the
governor
A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...
of the state of
South Carolina
South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...
, 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
Robert Evander McNair Sr. (December 14, 1923November 17, 2007) was the List of Governors of South Carolina, 108th governor of South Carolina, a Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, who served from 1965 to 1971.
Early life and education
M ...
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.
Primaries
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
Candidates
*
Robert Evander McNair
Robert Evander McNair Sr. (December 14, 1923November 17, 2007) was the List of Governors of South Carolina, 108th governor of South Carolina, a Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, who served from 1965 to 1971.
Early life and education
M ...
, incumbent Governor (Democratic)
*
Joseph O. Rogers Jr., State Representative from
Clarendon County (Republican)
The general election was held on November 8, 1966, and Robert Evander McNair was elected to continue his term as
governor of South Carolina
The governor of South Carolina is the head of government of South Carolina. The governor is the ''ex officio'' commander-in-chief of the National Guard when not called into federal service. The governor's responsibilities include making year ...
.
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.
, -
,
, colspan=5 ,
Democratic hold
, -
See also
*
Governor of South Carolina
The governor of South Carolina is the head of government of South Carolina. The governor is the ''ex officio'' commander-in-chief of the National Guard when not called into federal service. The governor's responsibilities include making year ...
*
List of governors of South Carolina
*
South Carolina gubernatorial elections
Prior to 1865, the Governor of South Carolina was chosen by the South Carolina General Assembly, General Assembly. The Constitution of South Carolina provided for the voters of South Carolina to choose the governor; James Lawrence Orr was the fi ...
References
*"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.
External links
SCIway Biography of Governor Robert Evander McNair
{{DEFAULTSORT:South Carolina Gubernatorial Election, 1966
1966
Events January
* January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko.
* January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...
1966 United States gubernatorial elections
Gubernatorial
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the type of political region or polity, a ''governor'' ma ...
November 1966 in the United States