1966 California gubernatorial election facts for kids
The California gubernatorial election in 1966 was an important election held on November 8, 1966. It was a big race between the current Governor, Pat Brown, who was a Democrat, and a famous actor, Ronald Reagan, who was a Republican.
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What Was the 1966 California Governor Election?
This election decided who would be the next Governor of California. Governor Pat Brown was hoping to be re-elected. Ronald Reagan, a well-known actor, was challenging him. People across California watched this election closely.
Why Was This Election Important?
After winning his re-election in 1962, Governor Brown was a popular figure. He was even considered to be a running mate for President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. However, things started to get tougher for Governor Brown.
Pat Brown's Time as Governor
During his time as Governor, California faced some challenges. There were social issues in areas like Watts. Also, some people started protesting the Vietnam War at places like the University of California, Berkeley. These events made some people less happy with Governor Brown.
Ronald Reagan Enters the Race
The Republican Party saw a chance to win. They chose Ronald Reagan, who was famous from movies and TV. He was new to politics but very good at speaking to people. Richard Nixon, who had been Vice President, also helped Reagan behind the scenes. Reagan promised to bring "law and order" to California. He won the Republican primary election easily.
Who Won the Election?
Ronald Reagan won the election by a large amount. He received 3,742,913 votes, which was about 57.55% of all votes. Governor Pat Brown received 2,479,174 votes, which was about 42.27%. This victory made Ronald Reagan the new Governor of California.
