 | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
 County and independent city results Harrison: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Pearson: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| Elections in Virginia |
|---|
 |
In the 1961 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor J. Lindsay Almond, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. H. Clyde Pearson was nominated by the Republican Party to run against former Democratic Attorney General of Virginia Albertis Harrison.
Background
[edit]1961 would become the last Virginia gubernatorial election under the control of the conservative Byrd Organization before the Twenty-fourth Amendment and Voting Rights Act served to greatly expand the state's electorate – previously exceedingly small due to a cumulative poll tax and literacy tests.[1]
Allie Edward Stakes Stephens had served as Lieutenant Governor for over two terms since a 1952 special election. However, when the state went for losing GOP nominee Richard Nixon in 1960 despite Stephens supporting national Democrat Kennedy,[2] it was clear that the long-serving lieutenant had broken with the Organization. With patriarch Byrd senior considering it inappropriate for his son to run for any state office,[3], Attorney General Albertis S. Harrison Jr. gained the Organization support in January.[4]
Campaign
[edit]By May Stephens had become strongly opposed to its longstanding policies and was campaigning vigorously against Organization nominee Harrison,[5] aided by financial support from former councillor and current State Highway Commission member Walter Chinn.[6] Harrison would consistently criticize Stephens for "intemperate" criticism of the Byrd Organization.[7]
Although "Massive Resistance" had been ended by outgoing Governor Almond in 1959,[8] education remained the major issue for all campaigns from the first primaries in June.[9] Stephens would lose the July 11 primary by thirteen percentage points[10] – significantly smaller than previous antiorganization candidates.
Campaigning was described by the press as "mild",[11] and predictions – ultimately fulfilled – expected turnout to be less than forty percent of the state's approximately one million registered voters.[12]
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Albertis S. Harrison Jr., former Attorney General of Virginia
- Allie Edward Stakes Stephens, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and former State Senator from Isle of Wight County
Primary results by county and independent city
[edit]| Albertis Sydney Harrison jr. Democratic |
Allie Edward Stakes Stephens Democratic |
Margin | Total votes cast | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Accomack County | 2,968 | 66.83% | 1,473 | 33.17% | 1,495 | 33.66% | 4,441 |
| Albemarle County | 1,529 | 65.71% | 798 | 34.29% | 731 | 31.41% | 2,327 |
| Alleghany County | 436 | 61.67% | 271 | 38.33% | 165 | 23.34% | 707 |
| Amelia County | 841 | 78.16% | 235 | 21.84% | 606 | 56.32% | 1,076 |
| Amherst County | 1,611 | 69.65% | 702 | 30.35% | 909 | 39.30% | 2,313 |
| Appomattox County | 1,608 | 88.06% | 218 | 11.94% | 1,390 | 76.12% | 1,826 |
| Arlington County | 4,641 | 34.01% | 9,004 | 65.99% | -4,363 | -31.98% | 13,645 |
| Augusta County | 1,283 | 74.85% | 431 | 25.15% | 852 | 49.71% | 1,714 |
| Bath County | 225 | 74.01% | 79 | 25.99% | 146 | 48.03% | 304 |
| Bedford County | 2,520 | 61.92% | 1,550 | 38.08% | 970 | 23.83% | 4,070 |
| Bland County | 314 | 52.51% | 284 | 47.49% | 30 | 5.02% | 598 |
| Botetourt County | 430 | 43.79% | 552 | 56.21% | -122 | -12.42% | 982 |
| Brunswick County | 2,537 | 86.59% | 393 | 13.41% | 2,144 | 73.17% | 2,930 |
| Buchanan County | 340 | 21.04% | 1,276 | 78.96% | -936 | -57.92% | 1,616 |
| Buckingham County | 1,085 | 80.79% | 258 | 19.21% | 827 | 61.58% | 1,343 |
| Campbell County | 1,518 | 71.54% | 604 | 28.46% | 914 | 43.07% | 2,122 |
| Caroline County | 688 | 70.78% | 284 | 29.22% | 404 | 41.56% | 972 |
| Carroll County | 217 | 21.81% | 778 | 78.19% | -561 | -56.38% | 995 |
| Charles City County | 137 | 34.00% | 266 | 66.00% | -129 | -32.01% | 403 |
| Charlotte County | 1,344 | 84.26% | 251 | 15.74% | 1,093 | 68.53% | 1,595 |
| Chesterfield County | 4,751 | 74.11% | 1,660 | 25.89% | 3,091 | 48.21% | 6,411 |
| Clarke County | 850 | 65.69% | 444 | 34.31% | 406 | 31.38% | 1,294 |
| Craig County | 111 | 39.36% | 171 | 60.64% | -60 | -21.28% | 282 |
| Culpeper County | 1,417 | 70.15% | 603 | 29.85% | 814 | 40.30% | 2,020 |
| Cumberland County | 562 | 74.63% | 191 | 25.37% | 371 | 49.27% | 753 |
| Dickenson County | 69 | 5.13% | 1,277 | 94.87% | -1,208 | -89.75% | 1,346 |
| Dinwiddie County | 1,390 | 78.27% | 386 | 21.73% | 1,004 | 56.53% | 1,776 |
| Essex County | 454 | 71.16% | 184 | 28.84% | 270 | 42.32% | 638 |
| Fairfax County | 4,932 | 30.15% | 11,427 | 69.85% | -6,495 | -39.70% | 16,359 |
| Fauquier County | 1,827 | 62.78% | 1,083 | 37.22% | 744 | 25.57% | 2,910 |
| Floyd County | 56 | 15.34% | 309 | 84.66% | -253 | -69.32% | 365 |
| Fluvanna County | 378 | 74.26% | 131 | 25.74% | 247 | 48.53% | 509 |
| Franklin County | 1,224 | 48.78% | 1,285 | 51.22% | -61 | -2.43% | 2,509 |
| Frederick County | 1,378 | 69.35% | 609 | 30.65% | 769 | 38.70% | 1,987 |
| Giles County | 579 | 47.30% | 645 | 52.70% | -66 | -5.39% | 1,224 |
| Gloucester County | 756 | 63.53% | 434 | 36.47% | 322 | 27.06% | 1,190 |
| Goochland County | 841 | 78.60% | 229 | 21.40% | 612 | 57.20% | 1,070 |
| Grayson County | 307 | 24.98% | 922 | 75.02% | -615 | -50.04% | 1,229 |
| Greene County | 87 | 49.15% | 90 | 50.85% | -3 | -1.69% | 177 |
| Greensville County | 1,843 | 80.45% | 448 | 19.55% | 1,395 | 60.89% | 2,291 |
| Halifax County | 2,091 | 84.97% | 370 | 15.03% | 1,721 | 69.93% | 2,461 |
| Hanover County | 2,784 | 76.78% | 842 | 23.22% | 1,942 | 53.56% | 3,626 |
| Henrico County | 10,861 | 76.60% | 3,318 | 23.40% | 7,543 | 53.20% | 14,179 |
| Henry County | 1,114 | 57.07% | 838 | 42.93% | 276 | 14.14% | 1,952 |
| Highland County | 157 | 75.48% | 51 | 24.52% | 106 | 50.96% | 208 |
| Isle of Wight County | 859 | 32.61% | 1,775 | 67.39% | -916 | -34.78% | 2,634 |
| James City County | 355 | 48.56% | 376 | 51.44% | -21 | -2.87% | 731 |
| King and Queen County | 269 | 65.77% | 140 | 34.23% | 129 | 31.54% | 409 |
| King George County | 314 | 66.24% | 160 | 33.76% | 154 | 32.49% | 474 |
| King William County | 706 | 72.56% | 267 | 27.44% | 439 | 45.12% | 973 |
| Lancaster County | 820 | 60.25% | 541 | 39.75% | 279 | 20.50% | 1,361 |
| Lee County | 234 | 15.48% | 1,278 | 84.52% | -1,044 | -69.05% | 1,512 |
| Loudoun County | 1,434 | 65.39% | 759 | 34.61% | 675 | 30.78% | 2,193 |
| Louisa County | 1,089 | 81.76% | 243 | 18.24% | 846 | 63.51% | 1,332 |
| Lunenburg County | 1,635 | 86.65% | 252 | 13.35% | 1,383 | 73.29% | 1,887 |
| Madison County | 396 | 79.68% | 101 | 20.32% | 295 | 59.36% | 497 |
| Mathews County | 525 | 73.53% | 189 | 26.47% | 336 | 47.06% | 714 |
| Mecklenburg County | 2,926 | 89.62% | 339 | 10.38% | 2,587 | 79.23% | 3,265 |
| Middlesex County | 524 | 65.83% | 272 | 34.17% | 252 | 31.66% | 796 |
| Montgomery County | 539 | 31.71% | 1,161 | 68.29% | -622 | -36.59% | 1,700 |
| Nelson County | 946 | 66.62% | 474 | 33.38% | 472 | 33.24% | 1,420 |
| New Kent County | 272 | 67.66% | 130 | 32.34% | 142 | 35.32% | 402 |
| Norfolk County | 2,480 | 58.99% | 1,724 | 41.01% | 756 | 17.98% | 4,204 |
| Northampton County | 1,309 | 82.85% | 271 | 17.15% | 1,038 | 65.70% | 1,580 |
| Northumberland County | 666 | 63.49% | 383 | 36.51% | 283 | 26.98% | 1,049 |
| Nottoway County | 1,703 | 77.55% | 493 | 22.45% | 1,210 | 55.10% | 2,196 |
| Orange County | 752 | 70.61% | 313 | 29.39% | 439 | 41.22% | 1,065 |
| Page County | 873 | 74.62% | 297 | 25.38% | 576 | 49.23% | 1,170 |
| Patrick County | 848 | 57.65% | 623 | 42.35% | 225 | 15.30% | 1,471 |
| Pittsylvania County | 4,414 | 78.68% | 1,196 | 21.32% | 3,218 | 57.36% | 5,610 |
| Powhatan County | 450 | 67.98% | 212 | 32.02% | 238 | 35.95% | 662 |
| Prince Edward County | 2,129 | 79.23% | 558 | 20.77% | 1,571 | 58.47% | 2,687 |
| Prince George County | 756 | 76.60% | 231 | 23.40% | 525 | 53.19% | 987 |
| Prince William County | 1,294 | 61.01% | 827 | 38.99% | 467 | 22.02% | 2,121 |
| Princess Anne County | 4,019 | 73.66% | 1,437 | 26.34% | 2,582 | 47.32% | 5,456 |
| Pulaski County | 866 | 49.66% | 878 | 50.34% | -12 | -0.69% | 1,744 |
| Rappahannock County | 435 | 76.05% | 137 | 23.95% | 298 | 52.10% | 572 |
| Richmond County | 492 | 71.72% | 194 | 28.28% | 298 | 43.44% | 686 |
| Roanoke County | 1,529 | 53.99% | 1,303 | 46.01% | 226 | 7.98% | 2,832 |
| Rockbridge County | 1,189 | 67.29% | 578 | 32.71% | 611 | 34.58% | 1,767 |
| Rockingham County | 776 | 64.56% | 426 | 35.44% | 350 | 29.12% | 1,202 |
| Russell County | 406 | 24.22% | 1,270 | 75.78% | -864 | -51.55% | 1,676 |
| Scott County | 450 | 30.57% | 1,022 | 69.43% | -572 | -38.86% | 1,472 |
| Shenandoah County | 1,070 | 75.51% | 347 | 24.49% | 723 | 51.02% | 1,417 |
| Smyth County | 498 | 34.09% | 963 | 65.91% | -465 | -31.83% | 1,461 |
| Southampton County | 1,834 | 67.45% | 885 | 32.55% | 949 | 34.90% | 2,719 |
| Spotsylvania County | 508 | 42.37% | 691 | 57.63% | -183 | -15.26% | 1,199 |
| Stafford County | 426 | 34.72% | 801 | 65.28% | -375 | -30.56% | 1,227 |
| Surry County | 620 | 56.57% | 476 | 43.43% | 144 | 13.14% | 1,096 |
| Sussex County | 1,429 | 84.66% | 259 | 15.34% | 1,170 | 69.31% | 1,688 |
| Tazewell County | 677 | 28.88% | 1,667 | 71.12% | -990 | -42.24% | 2,344 |
| Warren County | 1,383 | 68.98% | 622 | 31.02% | 761 | 37.96% | 2,005 |
| Washington County | 648 | 31.72% | 1,395 | 68.28% | -747 | -36.56% | 2,043 |
| Westmoreland County | 777 | 56.67% | 594 | 43.33% | 183 | 13.35% | 1,371 |
| Wise County | 349 | 12.96% | 2,343 | 87.04% | -1,994 | -74.07% | 2,692 |
| Wythe County | 607 | 49.15% | 628 | 50.85% | -21 | -1.70% | 1,235 |
| York County | 1,078 | 53.13% | 951 | 46.87% | 127 | 6.26% | 2,029 |
| Alexandria City | 3,400 | 37.45% | 5,678 | 62.55% | -2,278 | -25.09% | 9,078 |
| Bristol City | 729 | 53.72% | 628 | 46.28% | 101 | 7.44% | 1,357 |
| Buena Vista City | 447 | 74.87% | 150 | 25.13% | 297 | 49.75% | 597 |
| Charlottesville City | 2,088 | 53.14% | 1,841 | 46.86% | 247 | 6.29% | 3,929 |
| Clifton Forge City | 343 | 56.05% | 269 | 43.95% | 74 | 12.09% | 612 |
| Colonial Heights City | 1,334 | 83.58% | 262 | 16.42% | 1,072 | 67.17% | 1,596 |
| Covington City | 613 | 55.73% | 487 | 44.27% | 126 | 11.45% | 1,100 |
| Danville City | 4,611 | 73.48% | 1,664 | 26.52% | 2,947 | 46.96% | 6,275 |
| Fairfax City | 373 | 40.68% | 544 | 59.32% | -171 | -18.65% | 917 |
| Falls Church City | 371 | 37.47% | 619 | 62.53% | -248 | -25.05% | 990 |
| Franklin City | 2,112 | 50.47% | 2,073 | 49.53% | 39 | 0.93% | 4,185 |
| Fredericksburg City | 833 | 48.86% | 872 | 51.14% | -39 | -2.29% | 1,705 |
| Galax City | 182 | 40.09% | 272 | 59.91% | -90 | -19.82% | 454 |
| Hampton City | 3,365 | 43.49% | 4,373 | 56.51% | -1,008 | -13.03% | 7,738 |
| Harrisonburg City | 576 | 70.67% | 239 | 29.33% | 337 | 41.35% | 815 |
| Hopewell City | 1,778 | 69.81% | 769 | 30.19% | 1,009 | 39.62% | 2,547 |
| Lynchburg City | 4,311 | 62.71% | 2,563 | 37.29% | 1,748 | 25.43% | 6,874 |
| Martinsville City | 896 | 61.08% | 571 | 38.92% | 325 | 22.15% | 1,467 |
| Newport News City | 4,536 | 49.09% | 4,705 | 50.91% | -169 | -1.83% | 9,241 |
| Norfolk City | 11,556 | 46.90% | 13,085 | 53.10% | -1,529 | -6.21% | 24,641 |
| Norton City | 123 | 32.89% | 251 | 67.11% | -128 | -34.22% | 374 |
| Petersburg City | 2,433 | 63.93% | 1,373 | 36.07% | 1,060 | 27.85% | 3,806 |
| Portsmouth City | 4,542 | 42.27% | 6,203 | 57.73% | -1,661 | -15.46% | 10,745 |
| Radford City | 186 | 24.80% | 564 | 75.20% | -378 | -50.40% | 750 |
| Richmond City | 16,082 | 57.67% | 11,804 | 42.33% | 4,278 | 15.34% | 27,886 |
| Roanoke City | 3,556 | 45.54% | 4,253 | 54.46% | -697 | -8.93% | 7,809 |
| South Boston City | 567 | 79.41% | 147 | 20.59% | 420 | 58.82% | 714 |
| South Norfolk City | 931 | 63.90% | 526 | 36.10% | 405 | 27.80% | 1,457 |
| Staunton City | 1,205 | 73.88% | 426 | 26.12% | 779 | 47.76% | 1,631 |
| Suffolk City | 1,358 | 60.28% | 895 | 39.72% | 463 | 20.55% | 2,253 |
| Virginia Beach City | 794 | 73.52% | 286 | 26.48% | 508 | 47.04% | 1,080 |
| Waynesboro City | 772 | 71.35% | 310 | 28.65% | 462 | 42.70% | 1,082 |
| Williamsburg City | 302 | 50.67% | 294 | 49.33% | 8 | 1.34% | 596 |
| Winchester City | 1,540 | 74.15% | 537 | 25.85% | 1,003 | 48.29% | 2,077 |
| Totals | 199,519 | 56.66% | 152,639 | 43.34% | 46,880 | 13.31% | 352,158 |
General election
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Albertis S. Harrison Jr., former Attorney General of Virginia (Democratic)
- H. Clyde Pearson, former State Delegate from Lee County (Republican)
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Albertis S. Harrison, Jr. | 251,861 | 63.85% | +0.69% | |
| Republican | H. Clyde Pearson | 142,567 | 36.15% | −0.29% | |
| Majority | 109,294 | 27.71% | +0.99% | ||
| Turnout | 394,428 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
Results by county or independent city
[edit]| Albertis Sydney Harrison jr. Democratic |
Henry Clyde Pearson Republican |
Various candidates Write-ins |
Margin | Total votes cast | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Accomack County | 1,921 | 80.55% | 464 | 19.45% | 1,457 | 61.09% | 2,385 | ||
| Albemarle County | 2,093 | 66.40% | 1,059 | 33.60% | 1,034 | 32.80% | 3,152 | ||
| Alleghany County | 689 | 58.29% | 490 | 41.46% | 3 | 0.25% | 199 | 16.84% | 1,182 |
| Amelia County | 782 | 77.97% | 220 | 21.93% | 1 | 0.10% | 562 | 56.03% | 1,003 |
| Amherst County | 1,533 | 77.78% | 437 | 22.17% | 1 | 0.05% | 1,096 | 55.61% | 1,971 |
| Appomattox County | 1,438 | 87.20% | 211 | 12.80% | 1,227 | 74.41% | 1,649 | ||
| Arlington County | 10,893 | 55.58% | 8,705 | 44.41% | 2 | 0.01% | 2,188 | 11.16% | 19,600 |
| Augusta County | 2,624 | 59.79% | 1,763 | 40.17% | 2 | 0.05% | 861 | 19.62% | 4,389 |
| Bath County | 352 | 62.86% | 208 | 37.14% | 144 | 25.71% | 560 | ||
| Bedford County | 1,929 | 70.63% | 802 | 29.37% | 1,127 | 41.27% | 2,731 | ||
| Bland County | 509 | 56.74% | 388 | 43.26% | 121 | 13.49% | 897 | ||
| Botetourt County | 1,189 | 57.19% | 890 | 42.81% | 299 | 14.38% | 2,079 | ||
| Brunswick County | 2,306 | 89.66% | 266 | 10.34% | 2,040 | 79.32% | 2,572 | ||
| Buchanan County | 2,624 | 55.58% | 2,097 | 44.42% | 527 | 11.16% | 4,721 | ||
| Buckingham County | 911 | 83.50% | 180 | 16.50% | 731 | 67.00% | 1,091 | ||
| Campbell County | 1,770 | 71.89% | 692 | 28.11% | 1,078 | 43.79% | 2,462 | ||
| Caroline County | 809 | 74.56% | 276 | 25.44% | 533 | 49.12% | 1,085 | ||
| Carroll County | 1,022 | 33.37% | 2,041 | 66.63% | -1,019 | -33.27% | 3,063 | ||
| Charles City County | 174 | 32.46% | 362 | 67.54% | -188 | -35.07% | 536 | ||
| Charlotte County | 1,041 | 85.19% | 181 | 14.81% | 860 | 70.38% | 1,222 | ||
| Chesterfield County | 4,856 | 69.81% | 2,100 | 30.19% | 2,756 | 39.62% | 6,956 | ||
| Clarke County | 618 | 83.97% | 118 | 16.03% | 500 | 67.93% | 736 | ||
| Craig County | 375 | 64.21% | 209 | 35.79% | 166 | 28.42% | 584 | ||
| Culpeper County | 1,482 | 84.83% | 265 | 15.17% | 1,217 | 69.66% | 1,747 | ||
| Cumberland County | 503 | 76.91% | 150 | 22.94% | 1 | 0.15% | 353 | 53.98% | 654 |
| Dickenson County | 1,877 | 55.01% | 1,535 | 44.99% | 342 | 10.02% | 3,412 | ||
| Dinwiddie County | 1,276 | 88.55% | 165 | 11.45% | 1,111 | 77.10% | 1,441 | ||
| Essex County | 524 | 81.88% | 116 | 18.13% | 408 | 63.75% | 640 | ||
| Fairfax County | 9,606 | 47.47% | 10,624 | 52.50% | 7 | 0.03% | -1,018 | -5.03% | 20,237 |
| Fauquier County | 1,581 | 78.93% | 422 | 21.07% | 1,159 | 57.86% | 2,003 | ||
| Floyd County | 469 | 34.54% | 889 | 65.46% | -420 | -30.93% | 1,358 | ||
| Fluvanna County | 466 | 75.04% | 155 | 24.96% | 311 | 50.08% | 621 | ||
| Franklin County | 1,414 | 68.34% | 655 | 31.66% | 759 | 36.68% | 2,069 | ||
| Frederick County | 1,123 | 76.50% | 343 | 23.37% | 2 | 0.14% | 780 | 53.13% | 1,468 |
| Giles County | 1,520 | 62.27% | 921 | 37.73% | 599 | 24.54% | 2,441 | ||
| Gloucester County | 832 | 76.68% | 253 | 23.32% | 579 | 53.36% | 1,085 | ||
| Goochland County | 772 | 78.62% | 210 | 21.38% | 562 | 57.23% | 982 | ||
| Grayson County | 2,533 | 44.15% | 3,204 | 55.85% | -671 | -11.70% | 5,737 | ||
| Greene County | 388 | 58.08% | 280 | 41.92% | 108 | 16.17% | 668 | ||
| Greensville County | 1,340 | 83.91% | 257 | 16.09% | 1,083 | 67.81% | 1,597 | ||
| Halifax County | 1,667 | 86.96% | 250 | 13.04% | 1,417 | 73.92% | 1,917 | ||
| Hanover County | 1,854 | 76.39% | 573 | 23.61% | 1,281 | 52.78% | 2,427 | ||
| Henrico County | 9,826 | 71.50% | 3,915 | 28.49% | 2 | 0.01% | 5,911 | 43.01% | 13,743 |
| Henry County | 1,247 | 60.80% | 804 | 39.20% | 443 | 21.60% | 2,051 | ||
| Highland County | 361 | 54.29% | 304 | 45.71% | 57 | 8.57% | 665 | ||
| Isle of Wight County | 1,247 | 70.97% | 505 | 28.74% | 5 | 0.28% | 742 | 42.23% | 1,757 |
| James City County | 397 | 56.31% | 308 | 43.69% | 89 | 12.62% | 705 | ||
| King and Queen County | 317 | 73.72% | 113 | 26.28% | 204 | 47.44% | 430 | ||
| King George County | 404 | 71.50% | 161 | 28.50% | 243 | 43.01% | 565 | ||
| King William County | 774 | 76.63% | 236 | 23.37% | 538 | 53.27% | 1,010 | ||
| Lancaster County | 759 | 69.25% | 337 | 30.75% | 422 | 38.50% | 1,096 | ||
| Lee County | 2,794 | 58.22% | 2,005 | 41.78% | 789 | 16.44% | 4,799 | ||
| Loudoun County | 1,504 | 76.89% | 452 | 23.11% | 1,052 | 53.78% | 1,956 | ||
| Louisa County | 1,113 | 79.33% | 290 | 20.67% | 823 | 58.66% | 1,403 | ||
| Lunenburg County | 1,287 | 86.43% | 202 | 13.57% | 1,085 | 72.87% | 1,489 | ||
| Madison County | 519 | 66.54% | 261 | 33.46% | 258 | 33.08% | 780 | ||
| Mathews County | 619 | 67.58% | 297 | 32.42% | 322 | 35.15% | 916 | ||
| Mecklenburg County | 2,372 | 88.94% | 295 | 11.06% | 2,077 | 77.88% | 2,667 | ||
| Middlesex County | 559 | 72.88% | 208 | 27.12% | 351 | 45.76% | 767 | ||
| Montgomery County | 2,713 | 50.79% | 2,628 | 49.20% | 1 | 0.02% | 85 | 1.59% | 5,342 |
| Nelson County | 818 | 83.90% | 157 | 16.10% | 661 | 67.79% | 975 | ||
| New Kent County | 339 | 71.07% | 138 | 28.93% | 201 | 42.14% | 477 | ||
| Norfolk County | 2,712 | 77.42% | 791 | 22.58% | 1,921 | 54.84% | 3,503 | ||
| Northampton County | 1,051 | 85.31% | 181 | 14.69% | 870 | 70.62% | 1,232 | ||
| Northumberland County | 677 | 71.04% | 276 | 28.96% | 401 | 42.08% | 953 | ||
| Nottoway County | 1,498 | 83.83% | 289 | 16.17% | 1,209 | 67.66% | 1,787 | ||
| Orange County | 858 | 73.90% | 299 | 25.75% | 4 | 0.34% | 559 | 48.15% | 1,161 |
| Page County | 1,937 | 55.41% | 1,559 | 44.59% | 378 | 10.81% | 3,496 | ||
| Patrick County | 1,220 | 78.31% | 338 | 21.69% | 882 | 56.61% | 1,558 | ||
| Pittsylvania County | 3,103 | 83.26% | 624 | 16.74% | 2,479 | 66.51% | 3,727 | ||
| Powhatan County | 537 | 67.80% | 255 | 32.20% | 282 | 35.61% | 792 | ||
| Prince Edward County | 1,804 | 78.78% | 486 | 21.22% | 1,318 | 57.55% | 2,290 | ||
| Prince George County | 624 | 78.00% | 176 | 22.00% | 448 | 56.00% | 800 | ||
| Prince William County | 2,033 | 71.21% | 822 | 28.79% | 1,211 | 42.42% | 2,855 | ||
| Princess Anne County | 3,845 | 77.77% | 1,099 | 22.23% | 2,746 | 55.54% | 4,944 | ||
| Pulaski County | 1,607 | 57.91% | 1,168 | 42.09% | 439 | 15.82% | 2,775 | ||
| Rappahannock County | 358 | 80.63% | 86 | 19.37% | 272 | 61.26% | 444 | ||
| Richmond County | 385 | 74.90% | 129 | 25.10% | 256 | 49.81% | 514 | ||
| Roanoke County | 3,467 | 48.86% | 3,629 | 51.14% | -162 | -2.28% | 7,096 | ||
| Rockbridge County | 1,282 | 65.64% | 671 | 34.36% | 611 | 31.29% | 1,953 | ||
| Rockingham County | 1,910 | 49.28% | 1,966 | 50.72% | -56 | -1.44% | 3,876 | ||
| Russell County | 1,635 | 51.22% | 1,557 | 48.78% | 78 | 2.44% | 3,192 | ||
| Scott County | 2,495 | 46.57% | 2,863 | 53.43% | -368 | -6.87% | 5,358 | ||
| Shenandoah County | 1,776 | 46.35% | 2,056 | 53.65% | -280 | -7.31% | 3,832 | ||
| Smyth County | 1,460 | 46.76% | 1,662 | 53.24% | -202 | -6.47% | 3,122 | ||
| Southampton County | 1,820 | 86.30% | 289 | 13.70% | 1,531 | 72.59% | 2,109 | ||
| Spotsylvania County | 587 | 62.51% | 351 | 37.38% | 1 | 0.11% | 236 | 25.13% | 939 |
| Stafford County | 650 | 61.90% | 399 | 38.00% | 1 | 0.10% | 251 | 23.90% | 1,050 |
| Surry County | 688 | 80.37% | 168 | 19.63% | 520 | 60.75% | 856 | ||
| Sussex County | 1,266 | 91.81% | 113 | 8.19% | 1,153 | 83.61% | 1,379 | ||
| Tazewell County | 2,289 | 60.44% | 1,497 | 39.53% | 1 | 0.03% | 792 | 20.91% | 3,787 |
| Warren County | 1,671 | 75.99% | 528 | 24.01% | 1,143 | 51.98% | 2,199 | ||
| Washington County | 3,111 | 58.74% | 2,183 | 41.22% | 2 | 0.04% | 928 | 17.52% | 5,296 |
| Westmoreland County | 696 | 79.09% | 184 | 20.91% | 512 | 58.18% | 880 | ||
| Wise County | 3,058 | 64.97% | 1,648 | 35.01% | 1 | 0.02% | 1,410 | 29.96% | 4,707 |
| Wythe County | 1,643 | 53.15% | 1,448 | 46.85% | 195 | 6.31% | 3,091 | ||
| York County | 925 | 57.52% | 683 | 42.48% | 242 | 15.05% | 1,608 | ||
| Alexandria City | 5,012 | 61.66% | 3,116 | 38.34% | 6 | 23.33% | 8,128 | ||
| Bristol City | 1,495 | 73.25% | 542 | 26.56% | 4 | 0.20% | 953 | 46.69% | 2,041 |
| Buena Vista City | 620 | 73.20% | 227 | 26.80% | 393 | 46.40% | 847 | ||
| Charlottesville City | 1,699 | 60.64% | 1,103 | 39.36% | 596 | 21.27% | 2,802 | ||
| Clifton Forge City | 1,003 | 68.89% | 453 | 31.11% | 550 | 37.77% | 1,456 | ||
| Colonial Heights City | 1,039 | 86.44% | 163 | 13.56% | 876 | 72.88% | 1,202 | ||
| Covington City | 913 | 58.83% | 638 | 41.11% | 1 | 0.06% | 275 | 17.72% | 1,552 |
| Danville City | 3,776 | 77.33% | 1,107 | 22.67% | 2,669 | 54.66% | 4,883 | ||
| Fairfax City | 642 | 55.39% | 517 | 44.61% | 125 | 10.79% | 1,159 | ||
| Falls Church City | 916 | 53.26% | 804 | 46.74% | 112 | 6.51% | 1,720 | ||
| Franklin City | 2,342 | 76.69% | 707 | 23.15% | 5 | 0.16% | 1,635 | 53.54% | 3,054 |
| Fredericksburg City | 902 | 70.30% | 381 | 29.70% | 521 | 40.61% | 1,283 | ||
| Galax City | 596 | 51.07% | 571 | 48.93% | 25 | 2.14% | 1,167 | ||
| Hampton City | 3,158 | 60.43% | 2,064 | 39.49% | 4 | 0.08% | 1,094 | 20.93% | 5,226 |
| Harrisonburg City | 992 | 60.82% | 639 | 39.18% | 353 | 21.64% | 1,631 | ||
| Hopewell City | 1,783 | 75.61% | 575 | 24.39% | 1,208 | 51.23% | 2,358 | ||
| Lynchburg City | 3,976 | 61.95% | 2,442 | 38.05% | 1,534 | 23.90% | 6,418 | ||
| Martinsville City | 1,476 | 67.24% | 719 | 32.76% | 757 | 34.49% | 2,195 | ||
| Newport News City | 4,023 | 62.71% | 2,392 | 37.29% | 1,631 | 25.42% | 6,415 | ||
| Norfolk City | 12,394 | 65.10% | 6,643 | 34.90% | 5,751 | 30.21% | 19,037 | ||
| Norton City | 440 | 61.28% | 278 | 38.72% | 162 | 22.56% | 718 | ||
| Petersburg City | 2,072 | 77.66% | 595 | 22.30% | 1 | 0.04% | 1,477 | 55.36% | 2,668 |
| Portsmouth City | 5,756 | 71.40% | 2,306 | 28.60% | 3,450 | 42.79% | 8,062 | ||
| Radford City | 1,416 | 54.46% | 1,184 | 45.54% | 232 | 8.92% | 2,600 | ||
| Richmond City | 15,671 | 62.49% | 9,401 | 37.49% | 4 | 0.02% | 6,270 | 25.00% | 25,076 |
| Roanoke City | 7,472 | 49.20% | 7,716 | 50.80% | -244 | -1.61% | 15,188 | ||
| South Boston City | 485 | 83.05% | 99 | 16.95% | 386 | 66.10% | 584 | ||
| South Norfolk City | 1,914 | 79.52% | 493 | 20.48% | 1,421 | 59.04% | 2,407 | ||
| Staunton City | 2,147 | 66.72% | 1,071 | 33.28% | 1,076 | 33.44% | 3,218 | ||
| Suffolk City | 1,331 | 82.41% | 284 | 17.59% | 1,047 | 64.83% | 1,615 | ||
| Virginia Beach City | 752 | 81.21% | 174 | 18.79% | 578 | 62.42% | 926 | ||
| Waynesboro City | 1,679 | 60.40% | 1,097 | 39.46% | 4 | 0.14% | 582 | 20.94% | 2,780 |
| Williamsburg City | 321 | 60.00% | 212 | 39.63% | 2 | 0.37% | 109 | 20.37% | 535 |
| Winchester City | 1,316 | 79.52% | 339 | 20.48% | 977 | 59.03% | 1,655 | ||
| Total | 251,861 | 63.84% | 142,567 | 36.14% | 62 | 0.02% | 109,294 | 27.71% | 394,490 |
Analysis
[edit]Harrison almost exactly matched Almond's performance from 1957, improving the Democratic margin by one percentage point. Nevertheless, the ensuing collapse of the Byrd machine means this remains the last occasion a Democratic gubernatorial nominee has won sixty percent of the vote, and would be the last occasion until 2017 that Chesterfield County voted Democratic for Governor.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Kousser, J. Morgan (1974). The Shaping of Southern Politics: Suffrage Restriction and the Establishment of the One-Party South, 1880-1910. Yale University Press. pp. 178–181. ISBN 0-300-01696-4.
- ^ Daffron, John F. (November 13, 1960). "Stephens Enters 1961 Race for Governor of Virginia: Primary Battle with Harrison of Byrd Likely". The Washington Post. p. B1.
- ^ Sweeney, James R. (2017). "Bridge to the New Dominion: Virginia's 1965 Gubernatorial Election". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 125 (3). Richmond: 249.
- ^ Dodson, Bob (January 14, 1961). "What Wagon Fills First?". Ledger-Star. Norfolk, Virginia. p. 1.
- ^ "Verbal Battle Continues on Organization Issue – Stephens' and Harrison's Campaign Manager Needle Each Other on Attack". Danville Register and Bee. Danville, Virginia. Associated Press. May 17, 1961. p. 3-A.
- ^ "Chinn Named Treasurer For Stephens Campaign". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. May 6, 1961. p. C2.
- ^ "Byrd Organization Scored, Defended". Richmond Times-Dispatch. May 26, 1961. p. 1.
- ^ Heinemann, Ronald (1996). Harry Byrd of Virginia. Charlottesville, Virginia: University of Virginia Press. pp. 350–351. ISBN 0-8139-1642-9.
- ^ "Schools Continue as Focal Point in Virginia's Governor Contest". Evening Star. Washington, D.C. The Associated Press. June 18, 1961. p. B-3.
- ^ a b "VA Governor – D Primary Race – July 11, 1961". Our Campaigns.
- ^ "No Easy Task for GOP State Ticket". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. October 26, 1961. p. 4.
- ^ "Politicians Watch for Vote Trend". Ledger-Star. Norfolk, Virginia. Associated Press. November 7, 1961. p. 2.
- ^ a b "VA Governor Race – Nov 07, 1961". Our Campaigns.
- ^ Schwartzman, Paul (November 26, 2017). "Women's group in red Virginia county promotes a liberal surge". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. p. C1.