1966 Wyoming gubernatorial election

The 1966 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1966. Incumbent Republican Governor Clifford Hansen declined to seek a second term, instead opting to run for the U.S. Senate. Stanley Hathaway, the former Goshen County Prosecuting Attorney, won the Republican primary, and faced attorney Ernest Wilkerson, the Democratic nominee, in the general election. Despite the unfavorable national environment for Democratic candidates, Wilkerson was able to improve on Democrats' performance from the 1962 election, but not enough to defeat Hathaway, who won the election by a decisive margin.

1966 Wyoming gubernatorial election

November 8, 1966 (1966-11-08)

Nominee Stanley Hathaway Ernest Wilkerson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 65,624 55,249 Percentage 54.29% 45.71%

County results Hathaway:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Wilkerson:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Clifford Hansen Republican Elected Governor Stanley Hathaway Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ernest Wilkerson, attorney
• Bill Nation, State Representative
• Jack R. Gage, former Governor of Wyoming
• Raymond B. Whitaker, former Natrona County Prosecuting Attorney, 1960 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate
• Howard Burke, State Representative

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ernest Wilkerson	13,145	31.07%
	Democratic	Bill Nation	9,834	23.35%
	Democratic	Jack R. Gage	8,661	20.47%
	Democratic	Raymond B. Whitaker	6,238	14.75%
	Democratic	Howard Burke	4,426	10.46%
Total votes			42,926	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Stanley Hathaway, former Goshen County Prosecuting Attorney
• Joe Burke, former State Representative
• Arthur E. Linde, businessman

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Stanley Hathaway	26,110	55.24%
	Republican	Joe Burke	19,815	41.92%
	Republican	Arthur E. Linde	1,344	2.84%
Total votes			47,269	100.00%

Results

1966 Wyoming gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Stanley Hathaway	65,624	54.29%	−0.18%
	Democratic	Ernest Wilkerson	54,298	45.53%	+0.18%
Majority			10,375	8.58%	−0.36%
Turnout			120,873
	Republican hold