The 1967 Orlando mayoral special election was held on March 7, 1967, following a primary election on February 21, 1967, to elect the mayor of Orlando, Florida. Mayor Bob Carr, who was re-elected to his third term in 1964 died on January 29, 1967.[1] Following Carr's death, City Commissioner George Barker served as Mayor Pro Tem until the vacancy was filled at a special election, and Barker declined to contest the election.[2]

Four candidates ran in the special election: businessman Carl T. Langford, who narrowly lost the 1964 election to Carr; City Commissioner Wally Sanderlin; former City Commissioner Claude Edwards; and protest candidate Jim Coughlin. In the primary election, Langford placed first by a wide margin, winning 47 percent of the vote to Sanderlin's 33 percent.[3] Langford ultimately defeated Sandlin by a wide margin in the general election, winning 57 percent of the vote.[4]

Primary election

Candidates

  • Carl T. Langford, businessman, 1964 candidate for Mayor[5]
  • Wally Sanderlin, City Commissioner, 1964 candidate for Mayor[6]
  • Claude R. Edwards, former City Commissioner[7]
  • Jim Coughlin, protest candidate[8]

Declined

Results

Primary election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Carl T. Langford 7,208 47.33%
Nonpartisan Wally Sanderlin 5,000 32.83%
Nonpartisan Claude R. Edwards 2,635 17.30%
Nonpartisan Jim Coughlin 385 2.53%
Total votes 15,228 100.00%

General election

Results

1967 Orlando mayoral special election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Carl T. Langford 10,147 57.19%
Nonpartisan Wally Sanderlin 7,596 42.81%
Total votes 17,743 100.00%

References

  1. ↑ "Mayor Robert S. Carr Dies At 67". Orlando Sentinel. January 30, 1967. p. 1-A. Retrieved August 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 Scott, Carroll L. (February 1, 1967). "Candidates Advised On City Charter". Orlando Sentinel. p. 3-A. Retrieved August 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Edwards Mum On Support". Orlando Evening Star. February 22, 1967. p. 1-A. Retrieved August 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Scott, Carroll (March 8, 1967). "Mayor Langford 'Starts Work'". Orlando Sentinel. p. 1-A. Retrieved August 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Langford Announces: Businessman Runs For Mayor". Orlando Sentinel. February 2, 1967. p. 1-A. Retrieved August 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Lawrence, D. G. (February 2, 1967). "Feb. 21 Set For Election Of Mayor". Orlando Sentinel. p. 1-A. Retrieved August 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 Scott, Carroll (February 4, 1967). "1 Enters, 1 Quits Race For Mayor". Orlando Sentinel. p. 1-A. Retrieved August 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Shilling, Fred (February 13, 1967). "Mayor's Job Held Too Big". Orlando Sentinel. p. 1-A. Retrieved August 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_Orlando_mayoral_special_election