1966 Tennessee gubernatorial election

The 1966 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1966, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Former Democratic Governor Buford Ellington once again sought the party's nomination for governor. In the primary, he defeated John Jay Hooker, who was a friend of former Governor Gordon Browning, and had been endorsed by the Nashville Tennessean.[1] Ellington was endorsed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and the Nashville Banner. In the general election, Ellington defeated both Independent candadates H.L. Crowder and Charlie Moffett with 81.2% of the vote.

1966 Tennessee gubernatorial election

November 8, 1966

Nominee Buford Ellington H.L. Crowder Charlie Moffett Party Democratic Independent Independent Popular vote 532,998 64,602 50,221 Percentage 81.2% 9.8% 7.7%

County results Ellington:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Governor before election Frank G. Clement Democratic Elected Governor Buford Ellington Democratic

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Government

Tensions grew between Governor Frank G. Clement and Ellington, as Ellington refused to endorse Clement in his U.S. Senate primary campaign against Ross Bass.[2] Clement attempted to spend the state's budget surplus to ensure the Ellington administration did not inherit it.[3]