1961 Virginia gubernatorial election
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County and independent city results Harrison: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Pearson: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Virginia |
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In the 1961 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor J. Lindsay Almond, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. H. Clyde Pearson was nominated by the Republican Party to run against former Democratic Attorney General of Virginia Albertis Harrison.
Background and issues
This would be the last Virginia gubernatorial election under the control of the conservative Byrd Organization before the Twenty-fourth Amendment and Voting Rights Act served to greatly expand the state's electorate – previously exceedingly small due to a cumulative poll tax and literacy tests.[1].
By December 1960, outgoing Lieutenant Governor Stephens had broken with the Organization, and by May it was clear he had become strongly opposed to its longstanding policies, and was campaigning vigorously against Organization nominee Albertis S. Harrison Jr.,[2] who would gain its support in January.[3] Harrison would consistently criticize Stephens for "intemperate" criticism of the Byrd Organization.[4]
Although "Massive Resistance" had been ended by outgoing Governor Almond in 1959,[5] education remained the major issue for all campaigns from the first primaries in June.[6] Stephens would lose the July 11 primary by thirteen percentage points[7] – significantly smaller than previous antiorganization candidates.
Campaigning was described by the press as "mild",[8] and predictions – ultimately fulfilled – expected turnout to be less than forty percent of the state's approximately one million registered voters.[9]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Albertis S. Harrison Jr., former Attorney General of Virginia
- Allie Edward Stakes Stephens, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and former State Senator from Isle of Wight County
General election
Candidates
- Albertis S. Harrison Jr., former Attorney General of Virginia (Democratic)
- H. Clyde Pearson, former State Delegate from Lee County (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Albertis S. Harrison, Jr. | 251,861 | 63.85% | +0.69% | |
| Republican | H. Clyde Pearson | 142,567 | 36.15% | −0.29% | |
| Majority | 109,294 | 27.71% | +0.99% | ||
| Turnout | 394,428 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
Results by county or independent city
| 1961 Virginia gubernatorial election by county or independent city[10] | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albertis Sydney Harrison jr. Democratic |
Henry Clyde Pearson Republican |
Various candidates Write-ins |
Margin | Total votes cast | |||||
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Accomack County | 1,921 | 80.55% | 464 | 19.45% | 1,457 | 61.09% | 2,385 | ||
| Albemarle County | 2,093 | 66.40% | 1,059 | 33.60% | 1,034 | 32.80% | 3,152 | ||
| Alleghany County | 689 | 58.29% | 490 | 41.46% | 3 | 0.25% | 199 | 16.84% | 1,182 |
| Amelia County | 782 | 77.97% | 220 | 21.93% | 1 | 0.10% | 562 | 56.03% | 1,003 |
| Amherst County | 1,533 | 77.78% | 437 | 22.17% | 1 | 0.05% | 1,096 | 55.61% | 1,971 |
| Appomattox County | 1,438 | 87.20% | 211 | 12.80% | 1,227 | 74.41% | 1,649 | ||
| Arlington County | 10,893 | 55.58% | 8,705 | 44.41% | 2 | 0.01% | 2,188 | 11.16% | 19,600 |
| Augusta County | 2,624 | 59.79% | 1,763 | 40.17% | 2 | 0.05% | 861 | 19.62% | 4,389 |
| Bath County | 352 | 62.86% | 208 | 37.14% | 144 | 25.71% | 560 | ||
| Bedford County | 1,929 | 70.63% | 802 | 29.37% | 1,127 | 41.27% | 2,731 | ||
| Bland County | 509 | 56.74% | 388 | 43.26% | 121 | 13.49% | 897 | ||
| Botetourt County | 1,189 | 57.19% | 890 | 42.81% | 299 | 14.38% | 2,079 | ||
| Brunswick County | 2,306 | 89.66% | 266 | 10.34% | 2,040 | 79.32% | 2,572 | ||
| Buchanan County | 2,624 | 55.58% | 2,097 | 44.42% | 527 | 11.16% | 4,721 | ||
| Buckingham County | 911 | 83.50% | 180 | 16.50% | 731 | 67.00% | 1,091 | ||
| Campbell County | 1,770 | 71.89% | 692 | 28.11% | 1,078 | 43.79% | 2,462 | ||
| Caroline County | 809 | 74.56% | 276 | 25.44% | 533 | 49.12% | 1,085 | ||
| Carroll County | 1,022 | 33.37% | 2,041 | 66.63% | -1,019 | -33.27% | 3,063 | ||
| Charles City County | 174 | 32.46% | 362 | 67.54% | -188 | -35.07% | 536 | ||
| Charlotte County | 1,041 | 85.19% | 181 | 14.81% | 860 | 70.38% | 1,222 | ||
| Chesterfield County | 4,856 | 69.81% | 2,100 | 30.19% | 2,756 | 39.62% | 6,956 | ||
| Clarke County | 618 | 83.97% | 118 | 16.03% | 500 | 67.93% | 736 | ||
| Craig County | 375 | 64.21% | 209 | 35.79% | 166 | 28.42% | 584 | ||
| Culpeper County | 1,482 | 84.83% | 265 | 15.17% | 1,217 | 69.66% | 1,747 | ||
| Cumberland County | 503 | 76.91% | 150 | 22.94% | 1 | 0.15% | 353 | 53.98% | 654 |
| Dickenson County | 1,877 | 55.01% | 1,535 | 44.99% | 342 | 10.02% | 3,412 | ||
| Dinwiddie County | 1,276 | 88.55% | 165 | 11.45% | 1,111 | 77.10% | 1,441 | ||
| Essex County | 524 | 81.88% | 116 | 18.13% | 408 | 63.75% | 640 | ||
| Fairfax County | 9,606 | 47.47% | 10,624 | 52.50% | 7 | 0.03% | -1,018 | -5.03% | 20,237 |
| Fauquier County | 1,581 | 78.93% | 422 | 21.07% | 1,159 | 57.86% | 2,003 | ||
| Floyd County | 469 | 34.54% | 889 | 65.46% | -420 | -30.93% | 1,358 | ||
| Fluvanna County | 466 | 75.04% | 155 | 24.96% | 311 | 50.08% | 621 | ||
| Franklin County | 1,414 | 68.34% | 655 | 31.66% | 759 | 36.68% | 2,069 | ||
| Frederick County | 1,123 | 76.50% | 343 | 23.37% | 2 | 0.14% | 780 | 53.13% | 1,468 |
| Giles County | 1,520 | 62.27% | 921 | 37.73% | 599 | 24.54% | 2,441 | ||
| Gloucester County | 832 | 76.68% | 253 | 23.32% | 579 | 53.36% | 1,085 | ||
| Goochland County | 772 | 78.62% | 210 | 21.38% | 562 | 57.23% | 982 | ||
| Grayson County | 2,533 | 44.15% | 3,204 | 55.85% | -671 | -11.70% | 5,737 | ||
| Greene County | 388 | 58.08% | 280 | 41.92% | 108 | 16.17% | 668 | ||
| Greensville County | 1,340 | 83.91% | 257 | 16.09% | 1,083 | 67.81% | 1,597 | ||
| Halifax County | 1,667 | 86.96% | 250 | 13.04% | 1,417 | 73.92% | 1,917 | ||
| Hanover County | 1,854 | 76.39% | 573 | 23.61% | 1,281 | 52.78% | 2,427 | ||
| Henrico County | 9,826 | 71.50% | 3,915 | 28.49% | 2 | 0.01% | 5,911 | 43.01% | 13,743 |
| Henry County | 1,247 | 60.80% | 804 | 39.20% | 443 | 21.60% | 2,051 | ||
| Highland County | 361 | 54.29% | 304 | 45.71% | 57 | 8.57% | 665 | ||
| Isle of Wight County | 1,247 | 70.97% | 505 | 28.74% | 5 | 0.28% | 742 | 42.23% | 1,757 |
| James City County | 397 | 56.31% | 308 | 43.69% | 89 | 12.62% | 705 | ||
| King and Queen County | 317 | 73.72% | 113 | 26.28% | 204 | 47.44% | 430 | ||
| King George County | 404 | 71.50% | 161 | 28.50% | 243 | 43.01% | 565 | ||
| King William County | 774 | 76.63% | 236 | 23.37% | 538 | 53.27% | 1,010 | ||
| Lancaster County | 759 | 69.25% | 337 | 30.75% | 422 | 38.50% | 1,096 | ||
| Lee County | 2,794 | 58.22% | 2,005 | 41.78% | 789 | 16.44% | 4,799 | ||
| Loudoun County | 1,504 | 76.89% | 452 | 23.11% | 1,052 | 53.78% | 1,956 | ||
| Louisa County | 1,113 | 79.33% | 290 | 20.67% | 823 | 58.66% | 1,403 | ||
| Lunenburg County | 1,287 | 86.43% | 202 | 13.57% | 1,085 | 72.87% | 1,489 | ||
| Madison County | 519 | 66.54% | 261 | 33.46% | 258 | 33.08% | 780 | ||
| Mathews County | 619 | 67.58% | 297 | 32.42% | 322 | 35.15% | 916 | ||
| Mecklenburg County | 2,372 | 88.94% | 295 | 11.06% | 2,077 | 77.88% | 2,667 | ||
| Middlesex County | 559 | 72.88% | 208 | 27.12% | 351 | 45.76% | 767 | ||
| Montgomery County | 2,713 | 50.79% | 2,628 | 49.20% | 1 | 0.02% | 85 | 1.59% | 5,342 |
| Nelson County | 818 | 83.90% | 157 | 16.10% | 661 | 67.79% | 975 | ||
| New Kent County | 339 | 71.07% | 138 | 28.93% | 201 | 42.14% | 477 | ||
| Norfolk County | 2,712 | 77.42% | 791 | 22.58% | 1,921 | 54.84% | 3,503 | ||
| Northampton County | 1,051 | 85.31% | 181 | 14.69% | 870 | 70.62% | 1,232 | ||
| Northumberland County | 677 | 71.04% | 276 | 28.96% | 401 | 42.08% | 953 | ||
| Nottoway County | 1,498 | 83.83% | 289 | 16.17% | 1,209 | 67.66% | 1,787 | ||
| Orange County | 858 | 73.90% | 299 | 25.75% | 4 | 0.34% | 559 | 48.15% | 1,161 |
| Page County | 1,937 | 55.41% | 1,559 | 44.59% | 378 | 10.81% | 3,496 | ||
| Patrick County | 1,220 | 78.31% | 338 | 21.69% | 882 | 56.61% | 1,558 | ||
| Pittsylvania County | 3,103 | 83.26% | 624 | 16.74% | 2,479 | 66.51% | 3,727 | ||
| Powhatan County | 537 | 67.80% | 255 | 32.20% | 282 | 35.61% | 792 | ||
| Prince Edward County | 1,804 | 78.78% | 486 | 21.22% | 1,318 | 57.55% | 2,290 | ||
| Prince George County | 624 | 78.00% | 176 | 22.00% | 448 | 56.00% | 800 | ||
| Prince William County | 2,033 | 71.21% | 822 | 28.79% | 1,211 | 42.42% | 2,855 | ||
| Princess Anne County | 3,845 | 77.77% | 1,099 | 22.23% | 2,746 | 55.54% | 4,944 | ||
| Pulaski County | 1,607 | 57.91% | 1,168 | 42.09% | 439 | 15.82% | 2,775 | ||
| Rappahannock County | 358 | 80.63% | 86 | 19.37% | 272 | 61.26% | 444 | ||
| Richmond County | 385 | 74.90% | 129 | 25.10% | 256 | 49.81% | 514 | ||
| Roanoke County | 3,467 | 48.86% | 3,629 | 51.14% | -162 | -2.28% | 7,096 | ||
| Rockbridge County | 1,282 | 65.64% | 671 | 34.36% | 611 | 31.29% | 1,953 | ||
| Rockingham County | 1,910 | 49.28% | 1,966 | 50.72% | -56 | -1.44% | 3,876 | ||
| Russell County | 1,635 | 51.22% | 1,557 | 48.78% | 78 | 2.44% | 3,192 | ||
| Scott County | 2,495 | 46.57% | 2,863 | 53.43% | -368 | -6.87% | 5,358 | ||
| Shenandoah County | 1,776 | 46.35% | 2,056 | 53.65% | -280 | -7.31% | 3,832 | ||
| Smyth County | 1,460 | 46.76% | 1,662 | 53.24% | -202 | -6.47% | 3,122 | ||
| Southampton County | 1,820 | 86.30% | 289 | 13.70% | 1,531 | 72.59% | 2,109 | ||
| Spotsylvania County | 587 | 62.51% | 351 | 37.38% | 1 | 0.11% | 236 | 25.13% | 939 |
| Stafford County | 650 | 61.90% | 399 | 38.00% | 1 | 0.10% | 251 | 23.90% | 1,050 |
| Surry County | 688 | 80.37% | 168 | 19.63% | 520 | 60.75% | 856 | ||
| Sussex County | 1,266 | 91.81% | 113 | 8.19% | 1,153 | 83.61% | 1,379 | ||
| Tazewell County | 2,289 | 60.44% | 1,497 | 39.53% | 1 | 0.03% | 792 | 20.91% | 3,787 |
| Warren County | 1,671 | 75.99% | 528 | 24.01% | 1,143 | 51.98% | 2,199 | ||
| Washington County | 3,111 | 58.74% | 2,183 | 41.22% | 2 | 0.04% | 928 | 17.52% | 5,296 |
| Westmoreland County | 696 | 79.09% | 184 | 20.91% | 512 | 58.18% | 880 | ||
| Wise County | 3,058 | 64.97% | 1,648 | 35.01% | 1 | 0.02% | 1,410 | 29.96% | 4,707 |
| Wythe County | 1,643 | 53.15% | 1,448 | 46.85% | 195 | 6.31% | 3,091 | ||
| York County | 925 | 57.52% | 683 | 42.48% | 242 | 15.05% | 1,608 | ||
| Alexandria City | 5,012 | 61.66% | 3,116 | 38.34% | 6 | 23.33% | 8,128 | ||
| Bristol City | 1,495 | 73.25% | 542 | 26.56% | 4 | 0.20% | 953 | 46.69% | 2,041 |
| Buena Vista City | 620 | 73.20% | 227 | 26.80% | 393 | 46.40% | 847 | ||
| Charlottesville City | 1,699 | 60.64% | 1,103 | 39.36% | 596 | 21.27% | 2,802 | ||
| Clifton Forge City | 1,003 | 68.89% | 453 | 31.11% | 550 | 37.77% | 1,456 | ||
| Colonial Heights City | 1,039 | 86.44% | 163 | 13.56% | 876 | 72.88% | 1,202 | ||
| Covington City | 913 | 58.83% | 638 | 41.11% | 1 | 0.06% | 275 | 17.72% | 1,552 |
| Danville City | 3,776 | 77.33% | 1,107 | 22.67% | 2,669 | 54.66% | 4,883 | ||
| Fairfax City | 642 | 55.39% | 517 | 44.61% | 125 | 10.79% | 1,159 | ||
| Falls Church City | 916 | 53.26% | 804 | 46.74% | 112 | 6.51% | 1,720 | ||
| Franklin City | 2,342 | 76.69% | 707 | 23.15% | 5 | 0.16% | 1,635 | 53.54% | 3,054 |
| Fredericksburg City | 902 | 70.30% | 381 | 29.70% | 521 | 40.61% | 1,283 | ||
| Galax City | 596 | 51.07% | 571 | 48.93% | 25 | 2.14% | 1,167 | ||
| Hampton City | 3,158 | 60.43% | 2,064 | 39.49% | 4 | 0.08% | 1,094 | 20.93% | 5,226 |
| Harrisonburg City | 992 | 60.82% | 639 | 39.18% | 353 | 21.64% | 1,631 | ||
| Hopewell City | 1,783 | 75.61% | 575 | 24.39% | 1,208 | 51.23% | 2,358 | ||
| Lynchburg City | 3,976 | 61.95% | 2,442 | 38.05% | 1,534 | 23.90% | 6,418 | ||
| Martinsville City | 1,476 | 67.24% | 719 | 32.76% | 757 | 34.49% | 2,195 | ||
| Newport News City | 4,023 | 62.71% | 2,392 | 37.29% | 1,631 | 25.42% | 6,415 | ||
| Norfolk City | 12,394 | 65.10% | 6,643 | 34.90% | 5,751 | 30.21% | 19,037 | ||
| Norton City | 440 | 61.28% | 278 | 38.72% | 162 | 22.56% | 718 | ||
| Petersburg City | 2,072 | 77.66% | 595 | 22.30% | 1 | 0.04% | 1,477 | 55.36% | 2,668 |
| Portsmouth City | 5,756 | 71.40% | 2,306 | 28.60% | 3,450 | 42.79% | 8,062 | ||
| Radford City | 1,416 | 54.46% | 1,184 | 45.54% | 232 | 8.92% | 2,600 | ||
| Richmond City | 15,671 | 62.49% | 9,401 | 37.49% | 4 | 0.02% | 6,270 | 25.00% | 25,076 |
| Roanoke City | 7,472 | 49.20% | 7,716 | 50.80% | -244 | -1.61% | 15,188 | ||
| South Boston City | 485 | 83.05% | 99 | 16.95% | 386 | 66.10% | 584 | ||
| South Norfolk City | 1,914 | 79.52% | 493 | 20.48% | 1,421 | 59.04% | 2,407 | ||
| Staunton City | 2,147 | 66.72% | 1,071 | 33.28% | 1,076 | 33.44% | 3,218 | ||
| Suffolk City | 1,331 | 82.41% | 284 | 17.59% | 1,047 | 64.83% | 1,615 | ||
| Virginia Beach City | 752 | 81.21% | 174 | 18.79% | 578 | 62.42% | 926 | ||
| Waynesboro City | 1,679 | 60.40% | 1,097 | 39.46% | 4 | 0.14% | 582 | 20.94% | 2,780 |
| Williamsburg City | 321 | 60.00% | 212 | 39.63% | 2 | 0.37% | 109 | 20.37% | 535 |
| Winchester City | 1,316 | 79.52% | 339 | 20.48% | 977 | 59.03% | 1,655 | ||
| Total | 251,861 | 63.84% | 142,567 | 36.14% | 62 | 0.02% | 109,294 | 27.71% | 394,490 |
References
- ^ Kousser, J. Morgan (1974). The Shaping of Southern Politics: Suffrage Restriction and the Establishment of the One-Party South, 1880-1910. Yale University Press. pp. 178–181. ISBN 0-300-01696-4.
- ^ "Verbal Battle Continues on Organization Issue – Stephens' and Harrison's Campaign Manager Needle Each Other on Attack". Danville Register and Bee. Danville, Virginia. Associated Press. May 17, 1961. p. 3-A.
- ^ Dodson, Bob (January 14, 1961). "What Wagon Fills First?". Ledger-Star. Norfolk, Virginia. p. 1.
- ^ "Byrd Organization Scored, Defended". Richmond Times-Dispatch. May 26, 1961. p. 1.
- ^ Heinemann, Ronald (1996). Harry Byrd of Virginia. Charlottesville, Virginia: University of Virginia Press. pp. 350–351. ISBN 0-8139-1642-9.
- ^ "Schools Continue as Focal Point in Virginia's Governor Contest". Evening Star. Washington, D.C. The Associated Press. June 18, 1961. p. B-3.
- ^ "VA Governor – D Primary". Our Campaigns.
- ^ "No Easy Task for GOP State Ticket". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. October 26, 1961. p. 4.
- ^ "Politicians Watch for Vote Trend". Ledger-Star. Norfolk, Virginia. Associated Press. November 7, 1961. p. 2.
- ^ a b "VA Governor Race – Nov 07, 1961". Our Campaigns.