The 1966 Massachusetts general election was held on November 8, 1966, throughout Massachusetts. Primary elections took place on September 13.
At the federal level, Republican Edward Brooke was elected to the United States Senate over Democrat Endicott Peabody and Democrats won seven of twelve seats in the United States House of Representatives. Former Speaker of the House Joseph W. Martin Jr. was the only incumbent not re-elected, after his defeat in the Republican primary against Margaret Heckler.
In the race for Governor, incumbent Republican governor John Volpe defeated Democratic challenger Edward J. McCormack Jr. Overall, Republicans won three of the six elected state-wide offices. Incumbents were re-elected in four races.
This was the first election in which the term of office for all state officers was extended from two to four years.
Governor
Republican John A. Volpe was re-elected over Democrat Edward J. McCormack, Jr., Socialist Labor candidate Henning A. Blomen, and Prohibition candidate John C. Hedges.
Lieutenant governor
Lt. Governor Elliott Richardson did not run for re-election. Republican Francis W. Sargent was elected Lieutenant Governor over Democrat Joseph E. McGuire.
Republican primary Candidates Francis Sargent, Commissioner of Public Works
Declined Elliot Richardson, incumbent Lieutenant Governor (running for Attorney General) Results Francis Sargent was unopposed for the nomination.
Democratic primary Candidates Herbert L. Connolly, auto dealer Joseph E. McGuire, attorney from Worcester
Results
General election Results Francis W. Sargent defeated Joseph E. McGuire by 199,939 votes. It was the last general election in which the Governor and Lt. Governor were elected separately.
Attorney general
Incumbent Attorney General Edward Brooke did not run for re-election.
Republican Lt. Governor Elliot Richardson defeated former Democrat Lt. Governor Francis X. Bellotti to win the open race.
As of , this is the last time a Republican was elected Attorney General of Massachusetts.
Democratic primary Candidates Francis X. Bellotti, former Lieutenant Governor (1963–65) and nominee for Governor in 1964 Robert DeGiacomo Foster Furcolo, former Governor (1957–61)
Results
General election Results
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Incumbent Secretary of the Commonwealth Kevin White, defeated Republican Raymond Trudel, Socialist Labor candidate Willy N. Hogseth, and Prohibition candidate F. Oliver Drake in the general election.
General election Results
Treasurer and Receiver-General
Incumbent Treasurer and Receiver-General Robert Q. Crane defeated Republican Joseph Fernandes, Socialist Labor candidate Domenico DiGirolamo, and Prohibition candidate Julia Kohler in the general election.
General election Results
Auditor
Incumbent Auditor Thaddeus M. Buczko defeated state representative James H. Kelly in the Democratic primary.
In the general election, Buczko defeated Republican John J. Buckley, Socialist Labor candidate August Johnson, and Prohibition candidate Roger I. Williams in the general election.
Democratic primary Candidates Thaddeus M. Buczko, incumbent Auditor James H. Kelly, State Representative
Results
General election Results
United States Senate
Republican Edward Brooke was elected over Democrat Endicott Peabody, Socialist Labor candidate Lawrence Gilfedder, and Prohibition candidate Mark R. Shaw.
See also 165th Massachusetts General Court (1967–1968)
References