1969 Virginia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1969 United States gubernatorial elections.

In the 1969 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr., a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. A. Linwood Holton, Jr., an attorney from Roanoke, was nominated again by the Republican Party to run against former United States Ambassador to Australia, Democratic candidate William C. Battle.

1969 Virginia gubernatorial election

← 1965 November 4, 1969 1973 →

Nominee Linwood Holton William C. Battle Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 480,869 415,695 Percentage 52.5% 45.4%

County and independent city results Holton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Battle:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Mills Godwin Democratic Elected Governor Linwood Holton Republican

The Democrats had held the governor's mansion for 84 years since 1885, and Holton's victory was considered a historic upset at the time. This was the first election in which Republicans won a gubernatorial election in the state.

Godwin would later successfully run for reelection as a republican in 1973.

Democratic nomination

Candidates

• William C. Battle, former U. S. Ambassador to Australia and son of former Governor John S. Battle
• Henry Howell, State Senator from Norfolk
• Fred G. Pollard, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and former State Delegate from Richmond

Results

Primary results by county and independent city

  Battle

•   Battle 30–40%
•   Battle 40–50%
•   Battle 50–60%
•   Battle 60–70%
•   Battle 70–80%
•   Battle 80–90%
•   Battle 90–100%

  Howell

•   Howell 30–40%
•   Howell 40–50%
•   Howell 50–60%
•   Howell 60–70%

  Pollard

•   Pollard 40–50%
•   Pollard 50–60%
•   Pollard 60–70%

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William C. Battle	158,956	39.6%
	Democratic	Henry Howell	154,617	37.0%
	Democratic	Fred G. Pollard	95,057	23.4%
Total votes			408,630	100.00%

Primary results by county and independent city

  Battle

•   Battle 50–60%
•   Battle 60–70%
•   Battle 70–80%
•   Battle 80–90%
•   Battle 90–100%

  Howell

•   Howell 50–60%
•   Howell 60–70%
•   Howell 70–80%
•   Howell 80–90%
•   Howell 90–100%

Democratic primary runoff results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William C. Battle	226,108	51.7%
	Democratic	Henry Howell	207,505	48.3%
Total votes			433,613	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• William C. Battle, former U. S. Ambassador to Australia and son of former Governor John S. Battle (Democratic)
• Linwood Holton, Roanoke attorney (Republican)
• Beverly McDowell (Conservative)
• William Pennington (American Independent)
• George Walker (Independent)

Results

Virginia gubernatorial election, 1969^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	A. Linwood Holton, Jr.	480,869	52.51%	+14.80%
	Democratic	William C. Battle	415,695	45.39%	−2.50%
	Conservative	Beverly McDowell	10,596	1.16%	−12.22%
	American Independent	William Pennington	7,382	0.81%	+0.81%
	Independent	George Walker	1,182	0.13%
	Write-ins		317	<0.01%
Majority			65,174	7.12%	−7.86%
Turnout			915,764
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

References

1. "1969 Virginia gubernatorial election - D Primary". Virginia Department of Elections. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
2. "1969 Virginia gubernatorial election - D Runoff". Virginia Department of Elections. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
3. Jack R. Hunter, http://scholarship.richmond.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1350&context=masters-theses