1966 United States Senate election in Illinois

The 1966 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 8, 1966.^[1] Incumbent Democratic United States Senator Paul Douglas, seeking a fourth term in the United States Senate, faced off against Republican Charles H. Percy, a businessman and the 1964 Republican nominee for Governor of Illinois. A competitive election ensued, featuring campaign appearances by former vice president Richard M. Nixon on behalf of Percy.^[2] Ultimately, Percy ended up defeating Senator Douglas by a fairly wide margin, allowing him to win what would be the first of three terms in the Senate.

1966 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 1960 November 8, 1966 1972 →
Turnout	71.56%
Nominee Charles Percy Paul Douglas Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,100,449 1,678,147 Percentage 54.95% 43.90%
County results Percy:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Douglas:      50–60%
U.S. senator before election Paul Douglas Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Charles H. Percy Republican

Background

The primary (held on June 14) and general election coincided with those for House and state elections.^[1]

Turnout in the primaries was 27.13%, with 1,509,302 votes cast.^[1][3]

Turnout during the general election was 71.56%, with a total of 3,822,724 votes cast.^[1][3]

Democratic primary

Incumbent Paul Douglas was renominated, running unopposed.

Candidates

• Paul Douglas, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul H. Douglas (incumbent)	840,936	100
	Write-in		3	0.00
Total votes			840,939	100

Republican primary

Businessman Charles H. Percy won the Republican primary by a large margin.

Candidates

• Howard J. Doyle
• Charles H. Percy, businessman and 1964 Illinois gubernatorial nominee
• Lar Daly, perennial candidate

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Charles H. Percy	605,815	90.64
	Republican	Howard J. Doyle	38,636	5.78
	Republican	Lar "America First" Daly	23,889	3.57
	Write-in		23	0.00
Total votes			668,363	100

Write-in candidates

• Maxwell Primack
• Robert Sabonjian, Mayor of Waukegan

General election

Results

United States Senate election in Illinois, 1966^[1][3][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Charles H. Percy	2,100,449	54.95%	+9.75%
	Democratic	Paul H. Douglas (incumbent)	1,678,147	43.90%	−10.73%
	Write-in	Robert Sabonjian	41,965	1.10%
	Write-in	Maxwell Primack	1,693	0.04%
	Write-in	Others	470	0.01%
Majority			422,302	11.05%	+1.61%
Turnout			3,822,724	71.56
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

See also

• United States Senate elections, 1966