1966 United States Senate election in Texas

The 1966 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 8, 1966. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John Tower was re-elected to a second term in office over Democratic Attorney General of Texas Waggoner Carr. Tower became the first Republican ever reelected to the Senate from Texas or any former Confederate state.

1966 United States Senate election in Texas

November 8, 1966

Nominee John Tower Waggoner Carr Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 842,501 643,855 Percentage 56.42% 43.12%

County results Tower:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Carr:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie      40–50%

U.S. senator before election John Tower Republican Elected U.S. Senator John Tower Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Waggoner Carr, Attorney General of Texas
• John R. Willoughby, resident of Houston

Results

1966 Democratic U.S. Senate primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Waggoner Carr	899,523	79.88%
	Democratic	John R. Willoughby	226,598	20.12%
Total votes			1,126,121	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• John G. Tower, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1961

Results

1966 United States Senate election in Texas

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Tower (Incumbent)	841,501	56.39%
	Democratic	Waggoner Carr	643,855	43.15%
	Constitution	James Baker Holland	6,778	0.45%
	Write-in	All others	45	0.00%
Majority			197,646	13.24%
Turnout			1,492,179
	Republican hold