The 1966 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 8. Republican nominee Don Samuelson defeated Democratic nominee Cecil Andrus with 41.4% of the vote in a four-way race (two independents).[1]
In early August, three-term incumbent Robert E. Smylie, the dean of American governors, was soundly defeated in the Republican primary by Samuelson.[2] Andrus was a close runner-up in the Democratic primary to Charles Herndon,[2] who was killed in a plane crash six weeks later in September.[3][4]
This was the sixth consecutive Republican victory for governor, but Democrats won the next six, with four by Andrus. The next gubernatorial election in 1970 was a rematch, with different results.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on August 2, 1966.[2][5]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
- Herndon was killed in a plane crash in the central Idaho mountains in mid-September.[3][4]
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
Major party candidates
- Don Samuelson, Republican
- Cecil Andrus, Democratic
Other candidates
- Perry Swisher, Independent, Pocatello state senator (Republican)
- Philip Jungert, Independent, Lewiston businessman (Democrat)[1]
Results
References
- ^ a b "Which of the four will be next Governor of Idaho?". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 5, 1962. p. 1, section 3.
- ^ a b c "Smylie loses, Herndon holds edge on Andrus". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. August 3, 1966. p. 1.
- ^ a b "Air crash kills Idaho candidate for governor". Morning-Record. (Meriden, Connecticut). Associated Press. September 16, 1966. p. 17.
- ^ a b "Andrus is likely ballot successor". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. September 16, 1966. p. 1.
- ^ a b c Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- ^ Cook, Rhodes (November 5, 2013). America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. CQ Press. ISBN 9781452290171. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
