1968 New Hampshire gubernatorial election explained

The 1968 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1968.

Incumbent Democratic Governor John W. King retired to run for the U.S. Senate.

Republican nominee Walter R. Peterson Jr. defeated Democratic nominee Emile R. Bussiere with 52.53% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 10, 1968.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Emile R. Bussiere, State's attorney for Hillsborough County^[1]
• Vincent P. Dunn, New Hampshire Bank Commissioner^[2]
• Austin F. Quinney, former member of the Executive Council^[3]
• John D. Shea, former State Representative
• Henry P. Sullivan, State Senator

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Elmer E. Bussey, perennial candidate
• Edward H. Cullen, member of the Executive Council
• Fred Fletcher, member of the Executive Council
• Stuart Hancock, former State Representative^[4]
• Walter R. Peterson Jr., Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives^[5]
• Wesley Powell, former Governor
• Meldrim Thomson Jr., publisher^[6]

Results

General election

Candidates

• Emile R. Bussiere, Democratic
• Walter R. Peterson Jr., Republican

Results

Bibliography

• Book: Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997 . Washington, D.C. . Congressional Quarterly Inc. . 1998 . 1-56802-396-0 . .
• Book: Stark . Robert L. . Manual for the General Court of New Hampshire . 41 . Concord, NH . Department of State, New Hampshire . 1969 . .
• Book: Scammon . Richard M. . America Votes 8: a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1968 . Washington, D.C. . Governmental Affairs Institute . 1970 . .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Emile R. Bussiere, 1932 - 2008 . . 28 October 2008 . Legacy.com . New Hampshire Union Leader . 14 May 2020 .
2. Web site: Vincent P. Dunn . . 15 August 2010 . Legacy.com . New Hampshire Union Leader . 14 May 2020 .
3. Web site: Former Councilors . . nh.gov . State of New Hampshire . 14 May 2020 .
4. Book: Cobleigh, Marshall . 2005 . We Ain't Making Sausage Here . Portsmouth, NH . Peter E. Randall Publisher . 52 . 1-931807-35-3.
5. Web site: Gov. Walter Peterson . . National Governors Association . 14 May 2020 .
6. News: . New Hampshire Governor Has Lead Over His G.O.P. Opponent . New York Times . New York, NY . 9 September 1970 . 14 May 2020 .