Montana gubernatorial election, 1968

Montana gubernatorial election, 1968

November 5, 1968

Nominee Forrest H. Anderson Tim M. Babcock Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 150,481 116,432 Percentage 54.11% 41.87%

Governor before election Tim M. Babcock Republican Elected Governor Forrest H. Anderson Democratic

The 1968 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1968. Incumbent Governor of Montana Tim M. Babcock, who became Governor upon the death of previous Governor Donald Grant Nutter and was re-elected in 1964, ran for re-election. He faced serious competition in the Republican primary from his Lieutenant Governor, but managed to comfortably win renomination. Advancing to the general election, Babcock faced Forrest H. Anderson, the Attorney General of Montana and the Democratic nominee, and independent candidate Wayne Montgomery of the New Reform Party. Ultimately, Anderson managed to defeat Babcock by a solid margin, winning his first and only term as governor.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Forrest H. Anderson, Attorney General of Montana
• Eugene H. Mahoney, State Senator
• LeRoy H. Anderson, State Senator, former United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
• Willard E. Fraser, Mayor of Billings
• Hanford K. Gallup, rancher
• Merrill K. Riddick

Results

Democratic Party primary results[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Forrest H. Anderson	39,057	38.36
	Democratic	Eugene H. Mahoney	35,562	34.93
	Democratic	LeRoy H. Anderson	16,476	16.18
	Democratic	Willard E. Fraser	8,525	8.37
	Democratic	Hanford K. Gallup	1,149	1.13
	Democratic	Merrill K. Riddick	1,052	1.03
Total votes			101,821	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Tim M. Babcock, incumbent Governor of Montana
• Ted James, Lieutenant Governor of Montana
• Warren A. McMillan
• J. Wellington Fauver

Results

Republican Primary results[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tim M. Babcock (inc.)	50,369	55.10
	Republican	Ted James	36,664	40.11
	Republican	Warren A. McMillan	2,994	3.28
	Republican	J. Wellington Fauver	1,392	1.52
Total votes			91,419	100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1968[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Forrest H. Anderson	150,481	54.11%	+5.40%
	Republican	Tim M. Babcock (inc.)	116,432	41.87%	-9.43%
	New Reform Party	Wayne Montgomery	11,199	4.03%
Majority			34,049	12.24%	+9.66%
Turnout			278,112
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

References

1. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 4, 1968". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
2. "Official Montana General Election Results, November 5, 1968". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 5, 2014.