1966 Kansas gubernatorial election

The 1966 Kansas gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1966. The election pitted Democratic Robert Docking against incumbent Republican William H. Avery. On the campaign trail, Docking attacked Avery for his administration's unpopular income and sales tax hikes. Avery was also hurt by a contentious court ordered school district unification process that took place during his term. Avery had trailed in polling before the election, but was still seen as the favorite due to Kansas's strong Republican tradition and the intense unpopularity of the Johnson Administration in the state. Despite this, Docking defeated governor Avery 55% to 44%

1966 Kansas gubernatorial election

← 1964 November 8, 1966 1968 →

Nominee Robert Docking William H. Avery Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 380,030 304,325 Percentage 54.8% 43.9%

County results Docking:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Avery:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election William H. Avery Republican Elected Governor Robert Docking Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 2, 1966.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Robert Docking, Mayor of Arkansas City
• George Hart, former Kansas State Treasurer

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert Docking	96,414	85.47
	Democratic	George Hart	16,385	14.53
Total votes			112,799	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• William H. Avery, incumbent Governor
• Dell Crozier

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William H. Avery (incumbent)	144,842	75.09
	Republican	Dell Crozier	48,051	24.91
Total votes			192,893	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Robert Docking, Democratic
• William H. Avery, Republican

Other candidates

• Rolland Ernest Fisher, Prohibition
• Carson Crawford, Independent

Results

1966 Kansas gubernatorial election^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert Docking	380,030	54.84%
	Republican	William H. Avery (incumbent)	304,325	43.92%
	Prohibition	Rolland Ernest Fisher	4,742	0.68%
	Independent	Carson Crawford	3,858	0.56%
Majority			75,705
Turnout			692,955
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing