The 1968 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1968. Incumbent Governor of Montana

Tim Babcock Timothy Milford Babcock (October 27, 1919 – April 7, 2015) was an American politician, the 16th Governor of the state of Montana, from 1962 to 1969. Early life Babcock was born in Littlefork, Minnesota, the son of Olive (Rinehart) and Er ...

, who became Governor upon the death of previous Governor

Donald Grant Nutter Donald Grant Nutter (November 28, 1915January 25, 1962) was an American politician. A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross in World War II, Nutter served in the Montana Senate and as the chair of the state Republican Party prior to bein ...

and was re-elected in

1964 Events January * January 1 – The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. * January 5 - In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches since the fifteenth century, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch ...

, ran for re-election. He faced serious competition in the Republican primary from his

Lieutenant Governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

, but managed to comfortably win renomination. Advancing to the general election, Babcock faced

Forrest H. Anderson Forrest Howard Anderson (January 30, 1913 – July 20, 1989) was an American politician, attorney, and judge who served as the 17th Governor of Montana from 1969 to 1973. Prior to this, he served as the Attorney General of Montana from 1957 to 1 ...

, the

Attorney General of Montana The Montana Department of Justice is a state law enforcement agency of Montana. The Department is equivalent to the State Bureau of Investigation in other states. The Montana Attorney General, currently Republican Austin Knudsen, heads the agen ...

and the Democratic nominee, and independent candidate Wayne Montgomery of the New Reform Party. Ultimately, Anderson managed to defeat Babcock by a solid margin, winning his first and only term as governor.

Democratic primary

Candidates

*Eugene H. Mahoney,

State Senator A state senator is a member of a state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. Description A state senator is a member of an upper house in the bicameral legislatures of 49 U ...

LeRoy H. Anderson LeRoy Hagen Anderson (February 2, 1906 – September 25, 1991) was a U.S. Representative from Montana. Biography Born in Ellendale, North Dakota, Anderson, the grandson of Norwegian immigrants, moved with his parents to Conrad, Montana, in 190 ...

, former United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district *Willard E. Fraser, Mayor of

Billings Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, with a population of 117,116 as of the 2020 census. Located in the south-central portion of the state, it is the seat of Yellowstone County and the principal city of the Billings Metrop ...

*Hanford K. Gallup, rancher *Merrill K. Riddick

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

, incumbent Governor of Montana *Ted James,

Lieutenant Governor of Montana The lieutenant governor of Montana is an elected official in the State of Montana that ranks just below the governor of Montana. List of lieutenant governors ;Parties Living former lieutenant governors , there are six former lieutenant gove ...

*Warren A. McMillan *J. Wellington Fauver

Results

General election

Results

References

{{United States elections, 1968 Montana Gubernatorial

1968 The year was highlighted by protests and other unrests that occurred worldwide. Events January–February * January 5 – "Prague Spring": Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. * Januar ...

November 1968 events in the United States