The 1966 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1966. Governor
John A. Volpe
John Anthony Volpe ( ; December 8, 1908November 11, 1994) was an American businessman, diplomat, and politician from Massachusetts. A son of Italian immigrants, he founded and owned a large construction firm. Politically, he was a Republican in ...
was reelected to a four-year term. He defeated former
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general (: attorneys general) or attorney-general (AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have executive responsibility for law enf ...
Edward J. McCormack Jr.
Edward Joseph McCormack Jr. (August 29, 1923 – February 27, 1997), was an American attorney and politician from Massachusetts. He was most notable for serving as Massachusetts Attorney General from 1959 through 1963.
Personal life and educat ...
in the general election.
This was the first election held since Governor's
term of office
A term of office, electoral term, or parliamentary term is the length of time a person serves in a particular elected office. In many jurisdictions there is a defined limit on how long terms of office may be before the officeholder must be subjec ...
was extended from two to four years.
Republican primary
Candidates
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John Volpe
John Anthony Volpe ( ; December 8, 1908November 11, 1994) was an American businessman, diplomat, and politician from Massachusetts. A son of Italian immigrants, he founded and owned a large construction firm. Politically, he was a Republican in ...
, incumbent Governor
Results
Governor Volpe was unopposed for renomination.
Democratic primary
Candidates
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Edward J. McCormack Jr.
Edward Joseph McCormack Jr. (August 29, 1923 – February 27, 1997), was an American attorney and politician from Massachusetts. He was most notable for serving as Massachusetts Attorney General from 1959 through 1963.
Personal life and educat ...
, former
Massachusetts Attorney General
The Massachusetts attorney general is an elected constitutionally defined executive officer of the Massachusetts government. The officeholder is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The officeholder ...
*
Kenneth O'Donnell
Kenneth Patrick O'Donnell (March 4, 1924 – September 9, 1977) was an American political consultant and the special assistant and appointments secretary to President John F. Kennedy from 1961 until Kennedy's assassination in November 1963. O'D ...
, former aide to President Kennedy
Results
General election
Results
Volpe defeated McCormack by over a half million votes. He won the majority of the votes in every Massachusetts county.
This was the last general election in which the Governor and Lt. Governor were elected separately.
See also
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1966 Massachusetts general election
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1965–1966 Massachusetts legislature
The 164th Massachusetts General Court, consisting of the Massachusetts Senate and the Massachusetts House of Representatives, met in 1965 and 1966 during the Governor of Massachusetts, governorship of John Volpe. Maurice A. Donahue served as P ...
References
Massachusetts
Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...
Massachusetts gubernatorial elections
November 1966 in the United States
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