1966 Election Cycle

The 1966 cycle saw the Republicans make big inroads into elected office in state offices: St. Paul attorney Harold LeVander unseated DFL Governor Karl Rolvaag, Winona radio station owner Jim Goetz won the open seat for Lieutenant Governor, Auditor Stafford King won a record 10th and final term, former state Representative Douglas Head won the open seat for Attorney General, Treasurer Val Bjornson was reelected to a seventh nonconsecutive term, and P.K. Peterson won the open seat (and last election) for Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner. The only DFL nominee to prevail was Secretary of State Joseph Donovan who won a sixth term.

The GOP also flipped one house seat with state Senate President John Zwach beating two-term 6th CD Congressman Alec Olson to hold a five to three seat advantage in the state delegation.

In elections to the Supreme Court, Associate Justice Martin Nelson won a fourth term while C. Donald Peterson ended Thomas Gallagher’s bid for a fifth term.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/08/1966 State House, District 14B General Henry J. Morlock (Nonpartisan) won with 5,867 votes (52.89%) and a winning margin of +5.79
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Henry J. Morlock Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 5,867 52.89
Michael E. McGuire Man Nonpartisan 5,225 47.11
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11/08/1966 State House, District 14A General Ralph P. Jopp (Nonpartisan) won with 7,126 votes (61.55%) and a winning margin of +23.11
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Ralph P. Jopp Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 7,126 61.55
R.H. Simons Man Nonpartisan 4,451 38.45
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11/08/1966 State House, District 13B General Arnold D. Gruys (Nonpartisan) won with 5,816 votes (57.68%) and a winning margin of +15.36
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Arnold D. Gruys Man Nonpartisan 5,816 57.68
Russ Esau Man Nonpartisan 4,267 42.32
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11/08/1966 State House, District 13A General John P. Wingard (Nonpartisan) won with 7,268 votes (67.00%) and a winning margin of +34.01
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
John P. Wingard Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 7,268 67.00
George R. Samardich Man Nonpartisan 3,579 33.00
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11/08/1966 State House, District 15A General Walter C. Jungclaus (Nonpartisan) won with 6,622 votes (74.03%) and a winning margin of +48.06
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Walter C. Jungclaus Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 6,622 74.03
Edward J. Gavin Man Nonpartisan 2,323 25.97
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