South Carolina gubernatorial election, 1970

The 1970 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. John Carl West, the Democratic nominee, won a close general election against Albert Watson, the Republican congressman from the 2nd congressional district.

Primaries

Both John Carl West and Albert Watson faced no opposition in their party's primaries which allowed both candidates to concentrate solely on the general election.

General election

The general election was held on November 3, 1970 and John Carl West was elected as the next governor of South Carolina. Turnout was even higher than the previous gubernatorial election because of the recent enfranchisement of black voters and the controversial candidacy of Albert Watson.

South Carolina Gubernatorial Election, 1970

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Carl West	251,151	52.1	-6.1
	Republican	Albert Watson	221,236	45.9	+4.1
	Independent	A.W. "Red" Bethea	9,758	2.0	+2.0
Majority			29,915	6.2	-10.2
Turnout			482,145	54.2	+4.7
	Democratic hold

File:1970SCGovResults.png

1970 South Carolina gubernatorial election map, by percentile by county.

  65+% won by West

  60%-64% won by West

  55%-59% won by West

  50%-54% won by West

  <50% won by West

  <50% won by Watson

  50%-54% won by Watson

  60%-64% won by Watson

See also

• Governor of South Carolina
• List of Governors of South Carolina
• South Carolina gubernatorial elections

External links

• SCIway Biography of Governor John Carl West

Preceded by 1966

South Carolina gubernatorial elections

Succeeded by 1974