The 1960 United States presidential election in Alaska took place on November 8, 1960, as part of the nationwide presidential election. This was the first presidential election that Alaska participated in.^[1] Voters chose three representatives, or electors, to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

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1960 United States presidential election in Alaska

November 8, 1960 1964 →

Nominee Richard Nixon John F. Kennedy Party Republican Democratic Home state California Massachusetts Running mate Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Lyndon B. Johnson Electoral vote 3 0 Popular vote 30,953 29,809 Percentage 50.94% 49.06%

Borough and Census Area Results State House District Results Nixon   50–60%   60–70%   70–80% Kennedy   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%

President before election Dwight D. Eisenhower Republican Elected President John F. Kennedy Democratic

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Alaska was narrowly won by incumbent Vice-President Richard Nixon (R-California) with 50.9% of the popular vote against U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) with 49.1%; a 1.8% margin.^[1] Prior to the election, The New York Times declared Kennedy the favorite in the state.^[2]

Interior Department Chief Legal Officer (Solicitor) Ted Stevens managed Nixon's campaign in the state, being key to Nixon's narrow victory in what was then a solidly Democratic state^[3] which hadn't elected a Republican to state-wide office since James Wickersham was elected at-large Territorial Delegate in 1930.^[4] Stevens would become a U.S. Senator 8 years later.^[5]

This is the only time a Democrat was elected without carrying Bethel.

With statehood, Alaska was given three votes in the Electoral College. This has continued to be the case to the present day. Alaska's electors in 1960 were:

1. Charles D. Jones, of Nome
2. Milton D. Snodgrass, of Palmer
3. Sylvia Ringstad, of Fairbanks^[6]

• United States presidential elections in Alaska
• 1960 United States Senate election in Alaska