The 1960 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1960. Democratic nominee Terry Sanford defeated Republican nominee Robert L. Gavin with 54.45% of the vote.
Background.
By 1960, many of the North Carolina's leading Democratic politicians from the previous two decades were dead. The incumbent governor, Luther H. Hodges did not have a strong political organization and was retiring from politics.
Primary elections.
Primary elections were held on May 28, 1960.
Democratic primary.
Candidates.
John Davis Larkins Jr. was the first Democrat to declare his candidacy, announcing his bid on January 20, 1960. 25.8% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.
Results.
! scope="col" colspan="2" style="width: 15em" |Party
! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |Votes
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
! scope="col" colspan="2" style="width: 15em" |Party
! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |Votes
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
Results.
! scope="col" colspan="2" style="width: 130px"|Party
! scope="col" style="width: 17em"|Candidate
! scope="col" style="width: 5em"|Votes
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em"|%
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em"| ;templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" / ;±%
! colspan="3" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 0.5em" | Majority
! colspan="3" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 0.5em" scope=row | Turnout
! style="text-align:right;" | Swing
References.
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