1966 Georgia gubernatorial election

The 1966 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1966.

1966 Georgia gubernatorial election

November 8, 1966

Nominee Lester Maddox Bo Callaway Ellis Arnall Party Democratic Republican Independent Delegate count 182 66 – Popular vote 450,626 453,665 69,025 Percentage 46.22% 46.53% 7.08%

County results Maddox:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Callaway:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Arnall:      30–40%

Governor before election Carl Sanders Democratic Elected Governor Lester Maddox Democratic

After an election that exposed divisions within the Georgia Democratic Party (giving the Georgia Republican Party a shot at the Governor's Mansion for the first time in the twentieth century), segregationist Democrat Lester Maddox was elected Governor of Georgia.

The voting also made future President Jimmy Carter well known.

Democratic primary election results

The primary was held on September 13, 1966.

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ellis Arnall	231,480	29.38
	Democratic	Lester Maddox	185,672	23.56
	Democratic	Jimmy Carter	164,562	20.89
	Democratic	James H. Gray	152,973	19.41
	Democratic	Garland T. Byrd	152,973	5.08

Pursuant to Georgia law, as no candidate received a majority of votes in the primary, a runoff was held on September 27.

Democratic primary runoff results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lester Maddox	443,055	54.29
	Democratic	Ellis Arnall	373,004	45.71