1966 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

1966 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

←  1964 (special) November 8, 1966 1972  →

Nominee Fred R. Harris Pat J. Patterson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 343,157 295,585 Percentage 53.72% 46.28%

County results Harris:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Patterson:      50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Fred R. Harris Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Fred R. Harris Democratic

The 1966 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 8, 1966. Democratic Senator Fred R. Harris ran for re-election to a second term, and his first full term. After winning an easy victory in the Democratic primary, he faced attorney Pat J. Patterson, the Republican nominee, in the general election. Patterson wasn't viewed as a strong candidate against Harris, ^[1] but the national Republican landslide helped make the race somewhat close. Harris ended up defeating Patterson by a comfortable margin to win his second (first full) and final term in the Senate.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Billy E. Brown, perennial candidate ^[2]
• Fred R. Harris, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Willard R. Owens, WWII veteran and farmer ^[3]

Results

Democratic primary ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Fred R. Harris (inc.)	359,747	83.56%
	Democratic	Willard R. Owens	41,580	9.66%
	Democratic	Billy E. Brown	29,184	6.78%
Total votes			430,511	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Pat J. Patterson, Oklahoma City attorney ^[1]
• Don Kinkaid, Oklahoma City oilman ^[1]
• Gustav K. Brandborg, former radio station manager ^[1]

Results

Republican primary ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Pat J. Patterson	36,036	42.50%
	Republican	Don Kinkaid	32,137	37.90%
	Republican	Gustav K. Brandborg	16,617	19.60%
Total votes			84,790	100.00%

Runoff election results

Republican primary runoff ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Pat J. Patterson	42,550	58.29%
	Republican	Don Kinkaid	30,452	41.71%
Total votes			73,002	100.00%

General election

Results

1966 United States Senate election in Oklahoma ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Fred R. Harris (inc.)	343,157	53.72%	+2.55%
	Republican	Pat J. Patterson	295,585	46.28%	−2.55%
Majority			47,572	7.45%	+5.10%
Turnout			638,742
	Democratic hold

References

1. Sullivant, Otis (March 8, 1966). "GOP Leaders Aren't Settled On Harris Foe". Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Okla. p. 22. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
2. "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Billy Brown". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
3. "Obituaries". agentfuneralhomearchives.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
4. "1958-1966 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 18, 2021.