The 1966 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1966, to select the governor of the state of South Carolina, US. It marked the first time since the gubernatorial election of 1938 that the Democratic candidate faced opposition from a Republican candidate. Governor Robert Evander McNair prevailed as the winner of the election and continued as the 108th governor of South Carolina, but Joseph O. Rogers, Jr. had a respectable showing for the first Republican candidate in 28 years.
Primaries.
Both Governor McNair and Joseph O. Rogers, Jr. faced no opposition in their party's primaries which allowed both candidates to concentrate solely on the general election.
General election.
Candidates.
The general election was held on November 8, 1966, and Robert Evander McNair was elected to continue his term as governor of South Carolina. Turnout was the highest for any gubernatorial election since because it was the first time in 90 years that there was a competitive gubernatorial election.