1968 Arizona gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1968 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1968 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1968. Incumbent Governor Jack Williams ran for reelection to a second term as governor. Former Governor Samuel Pearson Goddard, who lost to Williams in 1966, again challenged Williams, losing to him in a repeat of the previous election cycle. Williams was sworn into his second term as governor on January 7, 1969.

1968 Arizona gubernatorial election

November 5, 1968

Nominee Jack Williams Samuel Goddard Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 279,923 204,075 Percentage 57.8% 42.2%

County results Williams:      50–60%      60–70% Goddard:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Jack Williams Republican Elected Governor Jack Williams Republican

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jack Williams, incumbent governor

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jack Williams	91,274	100.00%
Total votes			91,274	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Samuel P. Goddard, former governor
• Currin V. Shields, director of the Institute of Government Research at the University of Arizona
• Jack DeVault

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Sam Goddard	112,948	73.39%
	Democratic	Currin V. Shields	30,337	19.71%
	Democratic	Jack DeVault	10,613	6.90%
Total votes			153,898	100.00%

General election

Results

Arizona gubernatorial election, 1968

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jack Williams (incumbent)	279,923	57.84%	+4.06%
	Democratic	Sam Goddard	204,075	42.16%	−4.06%
Majority			75,848	15.67%
Total votes			483,998	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	+8.13%

Results by county

County	Jack Williams Republican		Sam Goddard Democratic		Margin		Total votes cast
	#	%	#	%	#	%
Apache	1,986	47.92%	2,158	52.08%	-172	-4.15%	4,144
Cochise	6,942	42.42%	9,423	57.58%	-2,481	-15.16%	16,365
Coconino	6,151	55.53%	4,925	44.47%	1,226	11.07%	11,076
Gila	3,678	37.74%	6,067	62.26%	-2,389	-24.52%	9,745
Graham	2,289	45.64%	2,726	54.36%	-437	-8.71%	5,015
Greenlee	961	25.65%	2,785	74.35%	-1,824	-48.69%	3,746
Maricopa	179,786	66.42%	90,891	33.58%	88,895	32.84%	270,677
Mohave	3,320	52.43%	3,012	47.57%	308	4.86%	6,332
Navajo	4,725	53.45%	4,115	46.55%	610	6.90%	8,840
Pima	46,684	46.79%	53,095	53.21%	-6,411	-6.43%	99,779
Pinal	6,920	42.61%	9,322	57.39%	-2,402	-14.79%	16,242
Santa Cruz	1,290	36.16%	2,277	63.84%	-987	-27.67%	3,567
Yavapai	9,270	66.61%	4,646	33.39%	4,624	33.23%	13,916
Yuma	5,921	40.68%	8,633	59.32%	-2,712	-18.63%	14,554
Totals	279,923	57.84%	204,075	42.16%	75,848	15.67%	483,998