The 1968 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1968. Democratic nominee Robert W. Scott defeated Republican nominee Jim Gardner with 52.70% of the vote.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on May 4, 1968.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Robert W. Scott, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
- J. Melville Broughton Jr., attorney and chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party
- Reginald A. Hawkins, civil rights activist and dentist
24.4% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jim Gardner, U.S. Representative
- John L. Stickley
5.4% of the voting age population participated in the Republican primary.