1960 North Carolina gubernatorial election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1960 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1960. Democratic nominee Terry Sanford defeated Republican nominee Robert L. Gavin with 54.45% of the vote.
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November 8, 1960
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 County results Sanford: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Gavin: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Background
By 1960, many of North Carolina's leading Democratic politicians from the previous two decades were dead. The incumbent governor, Luther H. Hodges did not have a strong political organization and was retiring from politics.[1]
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on May 28, 1960.[2]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Terry Sanford, former State Senator
- I. Beverly Lake Sr., attorney
- Malcolm B. Seawell, North Carolina Attorney General
- John Davis Larkins Jr., former State Senator
John Davis Larkins Jr. was the first Democrat to declare his candidacy, announcing his bid on January 20, 1960.[3] 25.8% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.[4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Terry Sanford | 269,463 | 41.26 | |
| Democratic | I. Beverly Lake Sr. | 181,692 | 27.82 | |
| Democratic | Malcolm B. Seawell | 101,148 | 15.49 | |
| Democratic | John Davis Larkins Jr. | 100,757 | 15.43 | |
| Total votes | 653,060 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Terry Sanford | 352,133 | 56.07 | |
| Democratic | I. Beverly Lake Sr. | 275,905 | 43.93 | |
| Total votes | 628,038 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Terry Sanford, Democratic
- Robert L. Gavin, Republican
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Terry Sanford | 735,248 | 54.45% | ||
| Republican | Robert L. Gavin | 613,975 | 45.47% | ||
| Majority | 121,273 | ||||
| Turnout | 1,350,360 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||