1961 Virginia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1961 United States gubernatorial elections.

1961 Virginia gubernatorial election

November 7, 1961

Nominee Albertis Harrison H. Clyde Pearson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 251,861 142,567 Percentage 63.9% 36.1%

County and independent city results Harrison:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Pearson:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election J. Lindsay Almond Democratic Elected Governor Albertis Harrison Democratic

In the 1961 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor J. Lindsay Almond, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. H. Clyde Pearson was nominated by the Republican Party to run against former Democratic Attorney General of Virginia Albertis Harrison. As of 2024, this is the last time the party who won the White House-but lost Virginia in the previous election, was elected governor

Democratic nomination

Candidates

• Albertis S. Harrison Jr., former Attorney General of Virginia
• Allie Edward Stakes Stephens, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and former State Senator from Isle of Wight County

General election

Candidates

• Albertis S. Harrison Jr., former Attorney General of Virginia (Democratic)
• H. Clyde Pearson, former State Delegate from Lee County (Republican)

Results

Virginia gubernatorial election, 1961

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Albertis S. Harrison, Jr.	251,861	63.85%	+0.69%
	Republican	H. Clyde Pearson	142,567	36.15%	−0.29%
Majority			109,294	27.71%	+0.99%
Turnout			394,428
	Democratic hold		Swing