26 governorships 24 governorships 31 19 Start date 1968 | 26 24 5 5 | |
United States gubernatorial elections were held on 5 November 1968, in 21 states and one territory, concurrent with the presidential election. These were the last gubernatorial elections for Arizona, New Mexico, and Wisconsin to take place in a presidential election year, as all would extend their governor's terms from two to four years.
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Arizona
Jack Richard Williams won re-election against Samuel Pearson Goddard, Jr., in a 'rematch' election, where Goddard was trying to get his old job back. Basically, a repeat of the 1966 Arizona Governor's Race, with Williams winning.
Arkansas
Rockefeller had already made his mark in 1966, when he was elected as the first Republican governor since 1872 and having the black vote to boot, not to mention challenging the Faubus empire two years before in 1964. Getting re-elected in 1968 was good, but things for Rockefeller went downhill from there.
Delaware
Terry not wanting to take the National Guard out of the black communities in Wilmington played a factor in his defeat, not to mention that Peterson had made it. Peterson would go on to be a legend in Delaware politics in a short time, mainly for his 'green' politics.
Illinois
Samuel H. Shapiro got to be Governor temporarily after Otto Kerner, Jr. resigned to take a job to the federal appellate court. Shapiro lost the race to get his own full term. As for Kerner, he would become famous for two things: being the head of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, aka the Kerner Commission, and going to jail over various charges stemming from being a stockholder in a racetrack business.
Indiana
Indiana changed the rules so that governors could have two back-to-back 4-year terms in November 1972. Thus, Branigin was not eligible for a second term.
Iowa
Harold Hughes resigned on January 1, 1969, to run for the Senate. Robert D. Fulton would serve as Governor from January 1 to January 16, 1969, until the new Governor, Robert D. Ray took office. Ray would go on to a political career, while Hughes, inspired by his own battles with alcoholism, made drug/alcohol abuse his 'thing' in the Senate, then later left politics to open an alcoholism treatment center and to do religious work.
Kansas
Docking won re-election. Ultimately, Docking would set a record by winning four two-year terms. Kansas operated on governors serving 2-year terms until 1974, when a constitutional amendment was added, creating a four-year term system for governors.
Missouri
In Missouri, during Hearnes' term, the rules were changed so that governors were allowed two back-to-back four-year terms. Thus, by 1968, Hearnes was eligible for another term.
Montana
Tim Babcock became Governor in January 1962 after his predecessor, Governor Donald Nutter, was killed in a plane crash. Babcock won a full term in the 1964 gubernatorial election.
New Hampshire
King might have run for another term had the 1968 presidential election not gotten in his way. King was an avid President Lyndon B. Johnson supporter, and a 'hawk' on Vietnam. So, when Senator Eugene McCarthy dropped into New Hampshire, King didn't hold back on the attacks. But the attacks didn't work. President Johnson dropped out to the presidential race, Vice President Hubert Humphrey joined the race as a result and asked King to run for the Senate. King did, losing to Republican Norris Cotton.
New Mexico
Cargo got re-elected in 1968, but then, being term limited in 1970 (see United States gubernatorial elections, 1970), he tried running for other offices, but "Lonesome Dave" never won again.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, governors weren't allowed two terms in a row until 1977.
North Dakota
Governors served two year terms until 1964, when a constitutional amendment changed it to a four-year term.
West Virginia
In 1970, during Arch Moore's term, an amendment to the West Virginia constitution allowed governors to serve two consecutive terms. Thus, Hulett Smith was not eligible for a second term.