1966 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

The 1966 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 8, 1966. Democratic Senator Fred R. Harris ran for re-election to a second term, and his first full term. After winning an easy victory in the Democratic primary, he faced attorney Pat J. Patterson, the Republican nominee, in the general election. Patterson wasn't viewed as a strong candidate against Harris,[1] but the national Republican landslide helped make the race somewhat close. Harris ended up defeating Patterson by a comfortable margin to win his final term in the Senate.

1966 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1964 (special) November 8, 1966 1972 →
 
Nominee Fred R. Harris Pat J. Patterson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 343,157 295,585
Percentage 53.72% 46.28%

County results
Harris:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Patterson:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Fred R. Harris
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Fred R. Harris
Democratic

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • Billy E. Brown, perennial candidate[2]
  • Fred R. Harris, incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Willard R. Owens, WWII veteran and farmer[3]

Results

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Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Fred R. Harris (inc.) 359,747 83.56%
Democratic Willard R. Owens 41,580 9.66%
Democratic Billy E. Brown 29,184 6.78%
Total votes 430,511 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pat J. Patterson 36,036 42.50%
Republican Don Kinkaid 32,137 37.90%
Republican Gustav K. Brandborg 16,617 19.60%
Total votes 84,790 100.00%

Runoff election results

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Republican primary runoff[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pat J. Patterson 42,550 58.29%
Republican Don Kinkaid 30,452 41.71%
Total votes 73,002 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1966 United States Senate election in Oklahoma[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Fred R. Harris (inc.) 343,157 53.72% +2.55%
Republican Pat J. Patterson 295,585 46.28% −2.55%
Majority 47,572 7.45% +5.10%
Turnout 638,742
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Sullivant, Otis (March 8, 1966). "GOP Leaders Aren't Settled On Harris Foe". Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Okla. p. 22. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Billy Brown". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  3. ^ "Obituaries". agentfuneralhomearchives.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "1958-1966 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 18, 2021.