1962 South Carolina gubernatorial election

The 1962 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1962 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. Donald S. Russell won the Democratic primary and ran unopposed in the general election becoming the 107th governor of South Carolina. It is the last uncontested South Carolina gubernatorial election.

1962 South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial primary

← 1958 June 12, 1962 1966 →
 
Nominee Donald S. Russell Burnet Maybank Jr. Alfred W. Bethea
Party Democratic Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 199,619 103,015 17,251
Percentage 60.8% 31.4% 5.3%

County results
Russell:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Maybank:      50-60%

Governor before election

Ernest Hollings
Democratic

Elected Governor

Donald S. Russell
Democratic

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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The South Carolina Democratic Party held their primary for governor in the summer of 1962 and Donald S. Russell succeeded on his second attempt by easily defeating the current Lieutenant Governor and son of former governor Burnet R. Maybank. He garnered more than 50% of the vote and avoided a runoff, effectively becoming the next governor of South Carolina due to lack of opposition in the general election.

1962 South Carolina Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donald S. Russell 199,619 60.8%
Democratic Burnet R. Maybank Jr. 103,015 31.4%
Democratic A.W. Bethea 17,251 5.3%
Democratic Dero Cook 6,321 1.9%
Democratic Milton Dukes 2,085 0.6%

General election

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The general election was held on November 6, 1962 and Donald S. Russell was elected the next governor of South Carolina without opposition. Turnout was much higher than the previous gubernatorial election because of a competitive senate race between Olin D. Johnston and W. D. Workman, Jr.

South Carolina Gubernatorial Election, 1962
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Donald S. Russell 253,704 100.0 0.0
No party Write-Ins 17 0.0 0.0
Majority 253,687 100.0 0.0
Turnout 253,721 38.1 +23.6
Democratic hold

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: 1963, p. 7.
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Preceded by
1958
South Carolina gubernatorial elections Succeeded by
1966