The 1969 Maryland gubernatorial special election was not a direct election, but a vote in the Maryland General Assembly to determine who would assume the governorship of Maryland after Spiro Agnew's resignation, following his election to the U.S. vice presidency.

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1969 Maryland special gubernatorial election

← 1966 January 7, 1969 1970 →

Nominee Marvin Mandel Rogers Morton Party Democratic Republican Electoral vote 126 26 Percentage 70.00% 14.44%   Nominee Francis X. Gallagher William S. James Party Democratic Democratic Electoral vote 15 13 Percentage 8.33% 7.22%

Governor before election Spiro Agnew Republican Elected Governor Marvin Mandel Democratic

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At this time Maryland didn't have a position of lieutenant governor, and state law did not designate a person who would assume the office of governor in case of vacancy (unlike most states, when there is always a designated person such as lieutenant governor, Senate President or Secretary of State).

In case of vacancy, the General Assembly would choose a governor.

In 1969 the Assembly had a Democratic majority, so it was clear that Republican Agnew's successor would be a Democrat.

The election was held on January 7, 1969. State representative Marvin Mandel was elected governor. He took office that same day, upon Agnew's resignation.

• State Senator William S. James (D)
• State Representative Francis X. Gallagher (D)
• State Representative Marvin Mandel (D)
• U.S. Representative Rogers Morton (R)

• Mandel (D) – 126 (70.00%):^[1]
• Morton (R) – 26 (14.44%)
• Gallagher (D) – 15 (8.33%)
• James (D) – 13 (7.22%)

Although there were three Democrats and only one Republican on the ballot, Mandel was elected easily. He was elected in regular direct election in 1970 and re-elected in 1974.