# 1966 United States Senate special election in Virginia

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vte :
The 1966 United States Senate special election in Virginia was held on November 8, 1966, alongside the other U.S. Senate election in Virginia. Incumbent Senator Harry F. Byrd Sr. had retired the previous year for health reasons, and his son Harry F. Byrd Jr. had been appointed to replace him. Byrd defeated Republican Lawrence M. Traylor and independent candidate John W. Carter, and was able to finish the balance of his father's sixth term.
Due to Byrd switching parties in 1970, this is the last time until 1988 that a Democrat was elected to this seat.

## Results

United States Senate special election in Virginia, 1966 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Harry F. Byrd Jr. (inc.) | 389,028 | 53.30% | −10.50% |
| | Republican | Lawrence M. Traylor | 272,804 | 37.38% | +18.35% |
| | Independent | John W. Carter | 57,692 | 7.90% | |
| | Independent | J.B. Brayman | 10,180 | 1.39% | −1.91% |
| | Write-ins | | 135 | 0.02% | +0.01% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 116,224 | 15.92% | −28.85% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 729,839 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |