1966 Minnesota gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 1966 Minnesota gubernatorial election Minnesota 1957 presidential no 1962 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1962 1970 Minnesota gubernatorial election 1970 November 8, 1966 File:Harold LeVander (cropped).jpg 150x150px Harold LeVander Republican Party (United States) 680,593 52.55% File:Karl Rolvaag.jpg Karl Rolvaag Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party 607,943 46.94% 1966 Minnesota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 280px County resultsLeVander: #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70%Rolvaag: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Governor Karl Rolvaag Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Harold LeVander Republican Party of Minnesota 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. Amid a short list of achievements, and Rolvaag's worsening alcoholism, the DFL endorsed Alexander Keith for the nomination after a 20-ballot election.Nelson Paul Rolvaag, Karl Fritjof (1913–1990) Minnesota Historical Society https://www.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/person/rolvaag-karl-fritjof-1913-1990 Undeterred, Rolvaag entered the DFL's primary with a cry of "Let the people decide!" https://www.newspapers.com/image/192274138/ Karl Rolvaag, Minnesota's 31st governor, dies at 77 Whereatt Robert December 21, 1990 November 24, 2025 Star Tribune 1A, 16A Newspapers.com subscription Rolvaag continued his re-election campaign, and won the nomination. 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.Weaver Jr. Warren Shock to Humphrey Bloc; Rolvaag Overwhelms Challenger In Minnesota Governor Primary September 14, 1966 New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1966/09/14/archives/shock-to-humphrey-bloc-rolvaag-overwhelms-challenger-in-minnesota.html Candidates Nominated Karl Rolvaag, incumbent Eliminated in primary Jerome Daly, attorney and conspiracy theorist Alexander Keith, lieutenant governor Cyrus Magnusson, former state insurance commissionerRemoved and indicted by the federal government on October 29, 1965 for mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy John C. Peterson Col. Belmont Tudisco, World War II veteran, painter Results Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party primary results Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Karl Rolvaag 336,656 66.27% Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Alexander Keith 157,661 31.04% Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party John C. Peterson 5,193 1.02% Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Cyrus Magnusson 3,704 0.73% Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Jerome Daly 3,255 0.64% Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Belmont Tudisco 1,537 0.30% 508,006 100% Governor, 1966 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319664010120600/ 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.Nelson Paul LeVander, Karl Harold Phillip (1910–1992) Minnesota Historical Society https://www.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/person/levander-karl-harold-phillip-1910-1992 Candidates Nominated Harold LeVander, Macalester College professor, attorney Eliminated in primary Lorna Tarnowski Withdrew John Sargent Pillsbury Jr., attorney Results Republican party primary results Republican Party (United States) Harold LeVander 276,403 97.94% Republican Party (United States) Lorna Tarnowski 5,827 2.06% 282,230 100% Governor, 1966 Election Minnesota Historical Election Archive https://mnelectionarchive.datamade.us/election/2319664015020600/ Candidates Harold LeVander, Macalester College professor, attorney (Republican) Karl Rolvaag, incumbent (DFL) Kenneth Sachs (Industrial Government) Results 1966 gubernatorial election, Minnesota Republican Party (United States) Harold LeVander 680,593 52.55% +2.85% Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Karl Rolvaag (incumbent) 607,943 46.94% -2.77% Industrial Government Party (United States) Kenneth Sachs 6,522 0.50% -0.08% 72,650 5.61% 1,295,058 Republican Party (United States) Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party External links Minnesota Historical Election Archive Notes References Minnesota Gubernatorial 1966 Category:November 1966 in the United States