1966 Idaho gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1966 United States gubernatorial elections.

1966 Idaho gubernatorial election

←  1962 November 8, 1966 1970  →

Nominee Don Samuelson Cecil Andrus Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 104,586 93,744 Percentage 41.41% 37.11%   Nominee Perry Swisher Philip Jungert Party Independent Independent Popular vote 30,913 23,139 Percentage 12.24% 9.16%

County results Samuelson:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Andrus:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Robert E. Smylie Republican Elected Governor Don Samuelson Republican

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

• Charles Herndon, Salmon attorney
• Cecil Andrus, Orofino state senator
• William J. Dee, Grangeville state senator

Results

Democratic primary results ^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Charles Herndon	28,926	40.75
	Democratic	Cecil Andrus	27,649	38.95
	Democratic	William J. Dee	14,409	20.30
Total votes			70,984	100.00

• Herndon was killed in a plane crash in the central Idaho mountains in mid-September. ^{[3] [4]}

Republican primary

Candidates

• Don Samuelson, Sandpoint state senator
• Robert E. Smylie, three-term incumbent governor

Results

Republican primary results ^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Don Samuelson	52,891	61.04
	Republican	Robert E. Smylie (incumbent)	33,753	38.96
Total votes			86,644	100.00

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

1966 Idaho gubernatorial election ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Don Samuelson	104,586	41.41%
	Democratic	Cecil Andrus	93,744	37.11%
	Independent	Perry Swisher	30,913	12.24%
	Independent	Philip Jungert	23,139	9.16%
Majority			10,842
Turnout			252,593
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. "Which of the four will be next Governor of Idaho?". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 5, 1962. p. 1, section 3.
2. "Smylie loses, Herndon holds edge on Andrus". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. August 3, 1966. p. 1.
3. "Air crash kills Idaho candidate for governor". Morning-Record. (Meriden, Connecticut). Associated Press. September 16, 1966. p. 17.
4. "Andrus is likely ballot successor". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. September 16, 1966. p. 1.
5. Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN   9781568029818 . Retrieved February 20, 2019.
6. Cook, Rhodes (November 5, 2013). America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. CQ Press. ISBN   9781452290171 . Retrieved February 20, 2019.