1968 North Carolina gubernatorial election
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 County results Scott: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Gardner: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1968 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1968. Democratic nominee Robert W. Scott defeated Republican nominee Jim Gardner with 52.70% of the vote.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on May 4, 1968.[1]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Robert W. Scott, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
- J. Melville Broughton Jr., attorney and chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party[2]
- Reginald A. Hawkins, civil rights activist and dentist
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert W. Scott | 337,368 | 48.12 | |
| Democratic | J. Melville Broughton Jr. | 233,924 | 33.37 | |
| Democratic | Reginald A. Hawkins | 129,808 | 18.52 | |
| Total votes | 701,100 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jim Gardner, U.S. Representative
- John L. Stickley
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Gardner | 113,584 | 72.78 | |
| Republican | John L. Stickley | 42,483 | 27.22 | |
| Total votes | 156,067 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Robert W. Scott, Democratic
- Jim Gardner, Republican
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert W. Scott | 821,233 | 52.70% | ||
| Republican | Jim Gardner | 737,075 | 47.30% | ||
| Majority | 84,158 | ||||
| Turnout | 1,558,308 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
