Battle of Honey Springs

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The 1960 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1960. Democratic nominee Terry Sanford defeated Republican nominee Robert L. Gavin with 54.45% of the vote.

Background

By 1960, many of the North Carolina's leading Democratic politicians from the previous two decades were dead. The incumbent governor, Luther H. Hodges did not have a strong political organization and was retiring from politics.[1]

Democratic primary campaign

John Davis Larkins Jr. was the first Democrat to declare his candidacy, announcing his bid on January 20, 1960.[2]

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on May 28, 1960.[3]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Terry Sanford 269,463 41.26
Democratic I. Beverly Lake Sr. 181,692 27.82
Democratic Malcolm B. Seawell 101,148 15.49
Democratic John Davis Larkins Jr. 100,757 15.43
Total votes 653,060 100.00
Democratic primary runoff results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Terry Sanford 352,133 56.07
Democratic I. Beverly Lake Sr. 275,905 43.93
Total votes 628,038 100.00

General election

Candidates

  • Terry Sanford, Democratic
  • Robert L. Gavin, Republican

Results

1960 North Carolina gubernatorial election[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Terry Sanford 735,248 54.45%
Republican Robert L. Gavin 613,975 45.47%
Majority 121,273
Turnout 1,350,360
Democratic hold Swing

References

  1. ^ Drescher 2000, p. 59.
  2. ^ Drescher 2000, p. 63.
  3. ^ a b c "North Carolina Manual". 1991. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  4. ^ Cook, Rhodes (October 26, 2017). America Votes 32: 2015-2016, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN 9781506368993. Retrieved May 28, 2019.

Works cited