The 1966 New York state election was held on November 8, 1966, to elect the

governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

, the lieutenant governor, the state comptroller, the attorney general and the

Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals refers to the position of chief judge on the New York Court of Appeals. They are also known as the Chief Judge of New York. The chief judge supervises the seven-judge Court of Appeals. In addition, th ...

, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate. Besides, 15 delegates-at-large to the

New York State Constitutional Convention The Constitution of the State of New York establishes the structure of the government of the State of New York, and enumerates the basic rights of the citizens of New York. Like most state constitutions in the United States, New York's constituti ...

of 1967 were elected on the state ticket, and three delegates each in the 57 senatorial districts.

Background

Chief Judge

Charles S. Desmond Charles Stewart Desmond (December 2, 1896 – February 9, 1987), was an American lawyer and politician from New York (state), New York. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1960 to 1966. Life Desmond was born and died in Bu ...

would reach the constitutional age limit of 70 years at the end of the year. In 1965, the New York State Assembly districts had been re-apportioned to 165 numbered districts. This was ruled to be unconstitutional in 1966, and the number was reduced to 150 for this election.

Nominations

The Socialist Labor state convention met on April 3, and nominated Milton Herder, owner of a

Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...

advertising agency, for governor; Doris Ballantyne 2d, a bookkeeper in the party's national office, for lieutenant governor; and John Emanuel for comptroller. The Socialist Workers Party met on July 24, and nominated Judith White, a "28-year-old brunette," for governor; Richard Garza for lieutenant governor; Ralph Levitt for comptroller; and taxi driver Paul Boutelle for attorney general. They filed a petition to nominate candidates in September. If the age was given correctly, Judith White was actually ineligible for the office; since 1822, the state Constitution requires a minimum age of thirty years to be elected governor. The

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...

state convention met on September 7 at

Saratoga Springs, New York Saratoga Springs is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 28,491 at the 2020 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area, which has made Saratoga a popular resort destination for over 2 ...

, and nominated Prof. Paul L. Adams, an enrolled Republican, for governor; Kieran O'Doherty for lieutenant governor; Benjamin R. Crosby, of Riverdale, for comptroller; and Mason L. Hampton, Jr., for attorney general; and endorsed the Republican senior associate judge Stanley H. Fuld for chief judge. The Democratic state convention met on September 7 at

Buffalo, New York Buffalo is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of New York (behind only New York City) and the seat of Erie County. It is at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of the Niagara River, and is across the Canadian border from Sou ...

, and nominated New York City Council President Frank O'Connor for governor on the first ballot. Howard J. Samuels was the only other contender. The convention met again on September 8, and nominated Samuels for lieutenant governor, revolting against the party bosses who had selected Orin Lehman. They completed the ticket with

Mayor of Buffalo, New York The following is a list of people who have served as mayors of the city of Buffalo in the U.S. state of New York. List of mayors Number of mayors by party affiliation History In 1853, the charter of the city was amended to include the tow ...

Frank A. Sedita for attorney general; re-nominated the incumbent Comptroller Levitt; and endorsed the Republican senior associate judge Stanley H. Fuld for chief judge. The

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

state convention met on September 8 at

Rochester, New York Rochester () is a city in the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Monroe County, and the fourth-most populous in the state after New York City, Buffalo, and Yonkers, with a population of 211,328 at the 2020 United States census. Located in W ...

, and renominated the incumbents Rockefeller, Wilson and Lefkowitz; and completed the ticket with Oneida County Executive Charles T. Lanigan for comptroller; and senior associate judge Stanley H. Fuld for chief judge. The

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

state convention met on September 8, and nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., for governor on the first ballot, polling 209 out of 312 votes. They also nominated the Rev. Donald S. Harrington for lieutenant governor; for attorney general; and endorsed the Democratic incumbent comptroller Levitt for re-election and the Republican senior associate judge Stanley H. Fuld for chief judge.

Result

Almost the whole Republican ticket was elected, and only the Democratic comptroller Levitt managed to stay in office with the help of the Liberals. The incumbents Rockefeller, Wilson, Levitt and Lefkowitz were re-elected. Note: The vote for governor is used to define

ballot access Elections in the United States refers to the rules and procedures regulating the conditions under which a candidate, political party, or ballot measure is entitled to appear on voters' ballots. As the nation's election process is decentralized b ...

; for automatic access are necessary 50,000 votes.

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention

The delegates-at-large were elected on party lists; the candidates' names did not appear on the ballot.''At-Large Slate May Control Constitutional Parley; 15 TO BE ELECTED FROM PARTY LISTS Their Names Will Not Be on the Ballot''
in NYT on October 29, 1966 (subscription required) 99 Democrats, 82 Republicans, three Liberals and two Conservatives were declared elected to the

of 1967; among them 10 Democrats, three Liberals (Harrington, Dubinsky, Rose) and two Republicans at-large. One Democratic seat in the 33rd District (The Bronx) was contested in the courts, and the New York Court of Appeals declared it a tie, ordering a special election which was won by a Republican. Thus the Convention had a Democratic/Liberal majority of 101 against 85 Republicans and Conservatives. The new state constitution proposed by this body was ultimately rejected by the voters at the subsequent election.

Notes

Sources