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

November 8, 1966

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

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, 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. 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

• Governor of South Carolina
• List of governors of South Carolina
• South Carolina gubernatorial elections

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

Preceded by 1962

South Carolina gubernatorial elections

Succeeded by 1970