1966 Minnesota gubernatorial election
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November 8, 1966
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 County results LeVander: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1966 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1966. Republican challenger Harold LeVander defeated Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) incumbent Karl Rolvaag.
LeVander took advantage of the weakened DFL, which was dealing with crippling factionalism.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Primary
The primary election was held on September 13. The DFL held an internal election for who the party leadership would support in the primary on June 19. However, governor Rolvaag found support within his party dwindling. Rolvaag, despite support from political ally and former governor Orville Freeman, was unable to convince much of the DFL leadership of his ability, most importantly Hubert Humphrey, who had led the party's right since its founding.[1] Amid a short list of achievements, and Rolvaag's worsening alcoholism, the DFL endorsed Alexander Keith for the nomination after a 20-ballot election.[2] Undeterred, Rolvaag entered the DFL's primary with a cry of "Let the people decide!"[3] Rolvaag continued his re-election campaign, and won the nomination.[4]
Keith conceded defeat in the primary election before the full election returns were even counted, due to his massive underperformance. The primary demonstrated the collapse of the control of the party's right-wing, with Humphrey's chosen candidate defeated resoundingly.[1]
Candidates
Nominated
- Karl Rolvaag, Incumbent
Eliminated in Primary
- Alexander Keith, Lieutenant Governor
- Col. Belmont Tudisco, World War II veteran, painter
- Cyrus Magnusson, former State Insurance Commissioner[a]
- Jerome Daly, Attorney and conspiracy theorist
- John C. Peterson
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Karl Rolvaag | 336,656 | 66.27% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Alexander Keith | 157,661 | 31.04% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | John C. Peterson | 5,193 | 1.02% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Cyrus Magnusson | 3,704 | 0.73% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Jerome Daly | 3,255 | 0.64% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Belmont Tudisco | 1,537 | 0.30% | |
| Total votes | 508,006 | 100% | ||
Republican Primary
The Republican Party held an internal race for who the party's endorsement in the primary would be. LeVander defeated Pillsbury after sixteen ballots. Pillsbury then withdrew from the race.[5]
Candidates
Nominated
- Harold LeVander, Macalester College Professor, Attorney
Eliminated in Primary
- Lorna Tarnowski
Withdrew
- John Sargent Pillsbury Jr., Attorney
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Harold LeVander | 276,403 | 97.94% | |
| Republican | Lorna Tarnowski | 5,827 | 2.06% | |
| Total votes | 282,230 | 100% | ||
Candidates
- Harold LeVander, Macalester College Professor, Attorney (Republican)
- Karl Rolvaag, Incumbent (DFL)
- Kenneth Sachs (Industrial Government)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Harold LeVander | 680,593 | 52.55% | +2.85% | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Karl Rolvaag (incumbent) | 607,943 | 46.94% | −2.77% | |
| Industrial Government | Kenneth Sachs | 6,522 | 0.50% | −0.08% | |
| Majority | 72,650 | 5.61% | |||
| Turnout | 1,295,058 | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) | Swing | ||||
External links
Notes
- ↑ Removed and indicted by the federal government on October 29, 1965 for mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy.
References
- 1 2 Weaver Jr., Warren (September 14, 1966). "Shock to Humphrey Bloc; Rolvaag Overwhelms Challenger In Minnesota Governor Primary". New York Times.
- ↑ Nelson, Paul. "Rolvaag, Karl Fritjof (1913–1990)". Minnesota Historical Society.
- ↑ Whereatt, Robert (December 21, 1990). "Karl Rolvaag, Minnesota's 31st governor, dies at 77". Star Tribune. p. 1A, 16A. Retrieved November 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Governor, 1966 Election". Minnesota Historical Election Archive.
- ↑ Nelson, Paul. "LeVander, Karl Harold Phillip (1910–1992)". Minnesota Historical Society.
- ↑ "Governor, 1966 Election". Minnesota Historical Election Archive.
