1966 Maryland gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1966 Maryland gubernatorial election
Country:Maryland
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1962 Maryland gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1962
Next Election:1969 Maryland gubernatorial special election
Next Year:1969 (special)
Election Date:November 8, 1966
Image1:File:Spiro Agnew (MD).png
Nominee1:Spiro Agnew
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:455,318
Percentage1:49.50%
Nominee2:George P. Mahoney
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:373,543
Percentage2:40.61%
Image3:3x4.svg
Nominee3:Hyman A. Pressman
Party3:Independent politician
Popular Vote3:90,899
Percentage3:9.88%
Map Size:280px
Governor
Before Election:J. Millard Tawes
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Spiro Agnew
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1966 Maryland gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1966. Incumbent Democratic Governor J. Millard Tawes was unable to seek a third term in office. In the election to succeed him, George P. Mahoney, a controversial segregationist, emerged from the Democratic primary due to splintered support for the two major candidates. Baltimore County Executive Spiro Agnew, was nominated by the Republican Party as their gubernatorial candidate. Mahoney and Agnew squared off, along with independent candidate Hyman A. Pressman. Ultimately, Agnew was victorious over Mahoney, with Pressman a distant third. This year was the last time that the state of Maryland elected a Republican governor until 2002. Agnew was later nominated for Vice President by the Republican National Convention, per Richard Nixon's request, in 1968, an election he and Nixon won.

this marks the last time the following Independent city and Counties have voted Republican in a gubernatorial election: Baltimore City, Montgomery, and Prince George’s.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Campaign

Baltimore paving contractor and perennial candidate George P. Mahoney won the Democratic primary on a segregationist platform, which was possible due to the presence of several strong candidates. Mahoney's slogan, "Your home is your castle--protect it",[1] as well as his stance on many civil rights issues,[2] prompted Baltimore City Comptroller Hyman A. Pressman to enter the race as an independent candidate. Mahoney's controversial stances caused many in the Maryland Democratic Party to split their support between Agnew, which was possible due to his socially progressive views, and Pressman, which enabled Agnew to win the election with a plurality, taking 70% of the black vote.[3]

Results

Notes and References

  1. News: George Mahoney, 87, Maryland Candidate. The New York Times. 21 March 1989.
  2. Hardesty, Richard. [A] Veil of Voodoo. Graduate School of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, 05 May 2008. Web.
  3. Rule and Ruin: The Downfall of Moderation and the Destruction of the Republican Party, from Eisenhower to the Tea Party*, p. 191