1969 Virginia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1969 United States gubernatorial elections.

1969 Virginia gubernatorial election

November 4, 1969

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

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.

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. As of 2022, this was the most recent Virginia gubernatorial election in which a Republican won the city of Alexandria.

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

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

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