1965 Virginia gubernatorial election

1965 Virginia gubernatorial election

November 2, 1965
 
Nominee Mills Godwin Linwood Holton William J. Story Jr.
Party Democratic Republican Conservative
Popular vote 269,526 212,207 75,307
Percentage 47.9% 37.7% 13.4%

County and independent city results
Godwin:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Holton:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Story:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Albertis Harrison
Democratic

Elected Governor

Mills Godwin
Democratic

In the 1965 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor of the U.S. state, Albertis Harrison, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. For the first time in many decades there was an uncontested Democratic primary, in which incumbent Lieutenant Governor Mills Godwin was unopposed. Linwood Holton, an attorney from Roanoke, was nominated by the Republican Party, whilst the newly formed Virginia Conservative Party nominated William J. Story Jr. of Chesapeake.

This is the last time York County would vote Democratic in a gubernatorial election until 2025.