1970 South Carolina gubernatorial election

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

1970 South Carolina gubernatorial election

November 3, 1970
 
Nominee John C. West Albert Watson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 251,151 221,236
Percentage 52.1% 45.9%

County results
West:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Watson:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

Governor before election

Robert Evander McNair
Democratic

Elected Governor

John Carl West
Democratic

The New York Times credited West's victory to his success among Black voters, "whites who were moderate on racial issues", and segments of the white working-class who supported George Wallace's 1968 presidential campaign but were disappointed with the state of the economy.

Central to the campaign was the issue of school integration: Watson ran a segregationist campaign and pledged to "stand up" to federal judicial orders to desegregate schools.

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