1966 Maryland gubernatorial election

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.

1966 Maryland gubernatorial election

November 8, 1966

Nominee Spiro Agnew George P. Mahoney Hyman A. Pressman Party Republican Democratic Independent Popular vote 455,318 373,543 90,899 Percentage 49.50% 40.61% 9.88%

County results Agnew:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70% Mahoney:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election J. Millard Tawes Democratic Elected Governor Spiro Agnew Republican

As of 2023 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

• George P. Mahoney, Baltimore paving contractor and perennial candidate
• Carlton R. Sickles, U.S. representative from Lanham (representing Maryland at-large)
• Thomas B. Finan, Attorney General of Maryland
• Clarence W. Miles, lawyer and community activist
• Charles J. Luthardt Sr.
• Morgan L. Amaimo, real estate broker and perennial candidate
• Ross Zimmerman Pierpont, surgeon
• Andrew J. Easter, perennial candidate

Results

Democratic Primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George P. Mahoney	148,446	30.21
	Democratic	Carlton R. Sickles	146,607	29.84
	Democratic	Thomas B. Finan	134,216	27.31
	Democratic	Clarence W. Miles	42,304	8.61
	Democratic	Charles J. Ludhardt, Sr.	7,336	1.49
	Democratic	Morgan L. Amaimo	6,048	1.23
	Democratic	Ross Zimmerman Pierpont	4,311	0.88
	Democratic	Andrew J. Easter	2,098	0.43
Total votes			491,366	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Spiro Agnew, Baltimore County Executive
• Andrew John Groszer Jr.
• John J. Harbaugh, Democratic candidate for the United States Senate in 1964
• Henry J. Laque Jr., perennial candidate
• Louis R. Milio, Maryland congressional candidate

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Spiro Agnew	98,531	83.16
	Republican	Andrew John Groszer, Jr.	9,987	8.43
	Republican	John J. Harbaugh	4,322	3.65
	Republican	Henry J. Laque, Jr.	3,365	2.84
	Republican	Louis R. Milio	2,277	1.92
Total votes			118,482	100.00

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", as well as his stance on many civil rights issues, 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.

Results

Maryland gubernatorial election, 1966

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Spiro Agnew	455,318	49.50%	+5.15%
	Democratic	George P. Mahoney	373,543	40.61%	−15.03%
	Independent	Hyman A. Pressman	90,899	9.88%
	Write-ins		1	0.00%
Majority			81,775	8.89%	−2.39%
Turnout			919,761
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing