November 9, 1966
Republicans big winners in midterm; Griffin, Romney win in landslides
In yesterday’s midterms, voters decisively favored Republican candidates nationwide. The election results are seen by many as a referendum on President Johnson’s policies. In the House, Republicans gained 46 seats, eroding the Democratic majority to 249-186. In the Senate, Republicans picked up 3 seats, leaving Democrats with a smaller majority of 64-36. Republicans have gained at least 8 governorships. In Georgia, the race remains too close to call, though the Republican candidate, Callaway, is currently leading. But since both Maddox and Callaway failed to get a majority, under Georgia law, the solidly Democratic state legislature will decide the governor’s race. [1]
In Michigan, Republicans were the winners in yesterday’s midterm election. Despite controversy over the governor's handling of the Fermi disaster and subsequent riots, Governor Romney trounced his Democratic challenger, Zoltan Ferency, by a margin of 56% to 44%. [2] Robert Griffin, who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by the late Senator Pat McNamara, defeated former Democratic Governor Soapy Williams by a 53% to 47% margin [2].
In the House, Representatives Conyers (D), Vivian (D), Hutchinson (R), Ford(R), Chamberlain(R), Harvey(R), Cederberg(R), O’Hara (D), Diggs (D), Nedzi (D), Ford (D), Dingell (D), Griffiths (D), and Broomfield (D) were re-elected. [3] However, four freshmen Democratic Congressmen (Todd, Mackie, Clevenger, and Farnum) lost to Republican challengers. In the 9th district, Guy Vander Jagt (R) defeated Democratic challenger Henry Dongvillo to replace Senator Griffin’s vacated seat.