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 [1968 Republican Party (United States)|Republican National Convention|Republican National Convention], per Richard Nixon's request, in 1968, an election he and Nixon won.
This election 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
- 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
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