1986 United States gubernatorial elections

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 4, 1986, in 36 states and two territories. The Democrats had a net loss of eight seats during this election, which coincided with the Senate and the House elections. This was despite the Democratic trend on a federal level, making this the last midterm election until 2022 where the party of the incumbent president achieved a net gain of governorships.

1986 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1985 November 4, 1986 1987 →
38 governorships 36 states; 2 territories
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Seats before 34 16 Seats after 26 24 Seat change 8 8 Seats up 27 9 Seats won 19 17
Republican hold   Republican gain   Democratic hold   Democratic gain

Election results

States

State	Incumbent	Party	First elected	Result	Candidates
Alabama	George Wallace	Democratic	1962 1966 (term-limited) 1970 1978 (term-limited) 1982	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y H. Guy Hunt (Republican) 56.4% Bill Baxley (Democratic) 43.6%
Alaska	Bill Sheffield	Democratic	1982	Incumbent lost re-nomination. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y Steve Cowper (Democratic) 47.3% Arliss Sturgulewski (Republican) 42.6% Joe Vogler (Alaskan Ind.) 5.6% Wally Hickel (write-in) 2.8% Mary Jane O'Brannon (Libertarian) 0.6%
Arizona	Bruce Babbitt	Democratic	1978[a]	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Evan Mecham (Republican) 39.7% Carolyn Warner (Democratic) 34.5% Bill Schulz (Independent) 25.8%
Arkansas	Bill Clinton	Democratic	1978 1980 (defeated) 1982	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Bill Clinton (Democratic) 63.9% Frank D. White (Republican) 36.1%
California	George Deukmejian	Republican	1982	Incumbent re-elected.	Y George Deukmejian (Republican) 60.2% Tom Bradley (Democratic) 37.2% Maria Elizabeth Muñoz (PF) 1.3% Joseph Fuhrig (Libertarian) 0.7%< Gary V. Miller (American Ind.) 0.7%
Colorado	Richard Lamm	Democratic	1974	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y Roy Romer (Democratic) 58.2% Ted Strickland (Republican) 41.0% Earl Dodge (Prohibition) 0.8%
Connecticut	William A. O'Neill	Democratic	1980[b]	Incumbent re-elected.	Y William A. O'Neill (Democratic) 58.5% Julie Belaga (Republican) 41.5%
Florida	Bob Graham	Democratic	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Bob Martinez (Republican) 54.6% Steve Pajcic (Democratic) 45.4%
Georgia	Joe Frank Harris	Democratic	1982	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Joe Frank Harris (Democratic) 70.5% Guy Davis (Republican) 29.5%
Hawaii	George Ariyoshi	Democratic	1974	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y John D. Waiheʻe III (Democratic) 52.0% D. G. Anderson (Republican) 48.0%
Idaho	John Evans	Democratic	1978[c]	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y Cecil Andrus (Democratic) 50.5% David H. Leroy (Republican) 49.5%
Illinois	James R. Thompson	Republican	1976	Incumbent re-elected	Y James R. Thompson (Republican) 52.7% Adlai Stevenson III (Solidarity) 40.0% No candidate[d] (Democratic) 6.6% Gary L. Shilts (Libertarian) 0.5%
Iowa	Terry Branstad	Republican	1982	Incumbent re-elected	Y Terry Branstad (Republican) 51.9% Lowell Junkins (Democratic) 48.0%
Kansas	John W. Carlin	Democratic	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Mike Hayden (Republican) 51.9% Thomas R. Docking (Democratic) 48.1%
Maine	Joseph E. Brennan	Democratic	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y John R. McKernan Jr. (Republican) 39.9% James Tierney (Democratic) 30.2% Sherry Huber (Independent) 15.1% John Menario (Independent) 14.9%
Maryland	Harry Hughes	Democratic	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y William Donald Schaefer (Democratic) 82.4% Thomas J. Mooney (Republican) 17.6%
Massachusetts	Michael Dukakis	Democratic	1974 1978 (lost renomination) 1982	Incumbent re-elected	Y Michael Dukakis (Democratic) 68.8% George Kariotis (Republican) 31.2%
Michigan	James Blanchard	Democratic	1982	Incumbent re-elected	Y James Blanchard (Democratic) 68.1% William Lucas (Republican) 31.5%
Minnesota	Rudy Perpich	Democratic	1976[e] 1978 (defeated) 1982	Incumbent re-elected	Y Rudy Perpich (Democratic) 56.1% Cal Ludeman (Republican) 43.1%
Nebraska	Bob Kerrey	Democratic	1982	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Kay A. Orr (Republican) 52.9% Helen Boosalis (Democratic) 47.1%
Nevada	Richard Bryan	Democratic	1982	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Richard Bryan (Democratic) 71.9% Patricia Dillon Cafferata (Republican) 25.0% None of These Candidates 2.1% Louis R. Tomburello (Libertarian) 1.0%
New Hampshire	John H. Sununu	Republican	1982	Incumbent re-elected.	Y John H. Sununu (Republican) 53.7% Paul McEachern (Democratic) 46.3%
New Mexico	Toney Anaya	Democratic	1982	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Garrey Carruthers (Republican) 53.0% Ray Powell (Democratic) 47.0%
New York	Mario Cuomo	Democratic	1982	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Mario Cuomo (Democratic) 64.3% Andrew P. O'Rourke (Republican) 31.8% Denis Dillon (Right to Life) 3.1% Lenora Fulani (New Alliance) 0.6%
Ohio	Dick Celeste	Democratic	1982	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Dick Celeste (Democratic) 60.6% Jim Rhodes (Republican) 39.4%
Oklahoma	George Nigh	Democratic	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Henry Bellmon (Republican) 48.1% David Walters (Democratic) 45.2% Jerry Brown (Independent) 6.7%
Oregon	Victor Atiyeh	Republican	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Neil Goldschmidt (Democratic) 52.0% Norma Paulus (Republican) 48.0%
Pennsylvania	Dick Thornburgh	Republican	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Bob Casey Sr. (Democratic) 50.7% William Scranton III (Republican) 48.4% Heidi Hoover (Consumer) 1.0%
Rhode Island	Edward D. DiPrete	Republican	1984	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Edward D. DiPrete (Republican) 64.7% Bruce Sundlun (Democratic) 32.4% Robert Healey (Cool Moose) 1.9% Tony Affigne (Citizens) 1.1%
South Carolina	Richard Riley	Democratic	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Carroll A. Campbell Jr. (Republican) 51.0% Michael R. Daniel (Democratic) 47.9% William H. Griffin (Libertarian) 0.6%
South Dakota	Bill Janklow	Republican	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Republican hold.	Y George S. Mickelson (Republican) 51.8% Lars Herseth (Democratic) 48.2%
Tennessee	Lamar Alexander	Republican	1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Ned McWherter (Democratic) 54.3% Winfield Dunn (Republican) 45.7%
Texas	Mark White	Democratic	1982	Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Bill Clements (Republican) 52.7% Mark White (Democratic) 46.0% Theresa S. Doyle (Libertarian) 1.2%
Vermont	Madeleine Kunin	Democratic	1982	Incumbent re-elected.[f][1]	Y Madeleine Kunin (Democratic) 47.0% Peter Plympton Smith (Republican) 38.3% Bernie Sanders (Independent) 14.5%
Wisconsin	Tony Earl	Democratic	1982	Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Tommy Thompson (Republican) 52.7% Tony Earl (Democratic) 46.2% Kathryn Christenson (Labor and Farm) 0.7%
Wyoming	Edward Herschler	Democratic	1974	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y Mike Sullivan (Democratic) 54.0% Pete Simpson (Republican) 46.0%

Territories and federal district

Territory	Incumbent	Party	First elected	Result	Candidates
District of Columbia	Marion Barry	Democratic	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Marion Barry (Democratic) 61.4% Carol Schwartz (Republican) 32.8% Brian Moore (Independent) 2.7% Josephine D. Butler (Statehood Green) 1.7%
Guam	Ricardo Bordallo	Democratic	1982	Incumbent lost re-election.[2] New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Joseph Franklin Ada (Republican) 53.8% Ricardo Bordallo (Democratic) 46.2%
U.S. Virgin Islands	Juan Francisco Luis	Independent	1978	Incumbent term-limited.[3] New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Alexander Farrelly (Democratic) 65.4% Adelbert Bryan (ICM) 34.6%

Close states

States where the margin of victory was under 1%:

1. Idaho, 1.0%

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

1. Pennsylvania, 2.3%
2. Oklahoma, 2.9%
3. South Carolina, 3.1%
4. South Dakota, 3.6%
5. Iowa, 3.9%
6. Hawaii, 4.0%
7. Oregon, 4.0%
8. Alaska, 4.7%

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. Arizona, 5.2%
2. Nebraska, 5.8%
3. New Mexico, 6.0%
4. Wisconsin, 6.5%
5. Texas, 6.7%
6. New Hampshire, 7.4%
7. Guam, 7.6%
8. Wyoming, 8.0%
9. Tennessee, 8.6%
10. Vermont, 8.7%
11. Florida, 9.2%
12. Maine, 9.7%

Alabama

1986 Alabama gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee H. Guy Hunt Bill Baxley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 696,203 537,163 Percentage 56.4% 43.6%

County results Hunt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Baxley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election George Wallace Democratic Elected Governor H. Guy Hunt Republican

The 1986 Alabama gubernatorial election saw the election of Republican H. Guy Hunt over Democrat Bill Baxley. In state politics, this election is largely seen as a realigning election since Hunt was the first Republican to be elected governor in 114 years – the last Republican to be elected was David P. Lewis in 1872 during the Reconstruction era. In March 1986, incumbent George Wallace announced that he would not seek a fifth term as governor, ending an era in Alabama politics.

Alaska

1986 Alaska gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 6, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Steve Cowper Arliss Sturgulewski Joe Vogler Party Democratic Republican Independence Running mate Steve McAlpine Terry Miller Al Rowe Popular vote 84,943 76,515 10,013 Percentage 47.31% 42.61% 5.58%

Results by state house district Cowper:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Sturgulewski:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Bill Sheffield Democratic Elected Governor Steve Cowper Democratic

The 1986 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986, for the post of Governor of Alaska. Incumbent Governor Bill Sheffield, a Democrat who was seeking re-election, was defeated by Steve Cowper in the Democratic primary election on August 26, 1986.^[4][5]

In the general election, Democratic state Representative Steve Cowper defeated Republican candidate Arliss Sturgulewski and Alaska Independence candidate Joe Vogler. Sturgulewski had defeated former governor Wally Hickel, former Libertarian nominee Dick Randolph, former State House Speaker Joe L. Hayes, and former Alaskan Independence nominee Don Wright for the Republican nomination.

Arizona

1986 Arizona gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990–91 →

Nominee Evan Mecham Carolyn Warner Bill Schulz Party Republican Democratic Independent Popular vote 343,913 298,986 224,085 Percentage 39.67% 34.49% 25.85%

County results Mecham:      30–40%      40–50% Warner:      40–50%      60–70%

Governor before election Bruce Babbitt Democratic Elected Governor Evan Mecham Republican

The 1986 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986, for the post of Governor of Arizona. Republican Evan Mecham, who defeated Burton Barr for the Republican nomination, defeated the Democratic nominee and State Superintendent Carolyn Warner and independent candidate Bill Schulz.

Arkansas

1986 Arkansas gubernatorial election

← 1984 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Bill Clinton Frank D. White Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 439,802 248,427 Percentage 63.90% 36.10%

County results Clinton:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% White:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Bill Clinton Democratic Elected Governor Bill Clinton Democratic

The 1986 Arkansas gubernatorial election was conducted on November 4, 1986, to elect the Governor of Arkansas. Incumbent Democratic Governor Bill Clinton stood for re-election. He had been elected in 1982 and re-elected in 1984, and sought a third consecutive term and fourth overall (Clinton had been first elected in 1978). His opponent was former Republican Governor Frank D. White, who was seeking to return to the office he had defeated Clinton for in the 1980 election.

Clinton had defeated former Governor Orval Faubus for the Democratic nomination, while White defeated former Lieutenant Governor Maurice Britt in the Republican primary.

California

1986 California gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee George Deukmejian Tom Bradley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 4,505,601 2,781,714 Percentage 60.54% 37.38%

County results Congressional district results Deukmejian:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Bradley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election George Deukmejian Republican Elected Governor George Deukmejian Republican

The 1986 California gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican George Deukmejian won easily in this rematch over the Democratic challenger, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. This was the largest gubernatorial victory since that of Earl Warren in 1946, who won 91.64% of the vote.

Colorado

1986 Colorado gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Roy Romer Ted L. Strickland Party Democratic Republican Running mate Mike Callihan Kathy Arnold Popular vote 616,325 434,420 Percentage 58.20% 41.03%

County results Romer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Strickland:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Richard Lamm Democratic Elected Governor Roy Romer Democratic

The 1986 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Democratic nominee Roy Romer defeated Republican nominee Ted L. Strickland with 58.20% of the vote.

Connecticut

1986 Connecticut gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Bill O'Neill Julie Belaga Party Democratic Republican Running mate Joseph J. Fauliso E. Clayton Gengras, Jr. Popular vote 575,638 408,489 Percentage 57.93% 41.11%

County results Municipality results O'Neill:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Belaga:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      Tie

Governor before election Bill O'Neill Democratic Elected Governor Bill O'Neill Democratic

The 1986 Connecticut gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic governor Bill O'Neill won his second full term against Republican assemblywoman Julie Belaga, who defeated Jerry Labriola for the Republican nomination. This election marked the last time a Democrat would win the governorship in Connecticut until the 2010 election, the last time a Democratic gubernatorial candidate has won every county in the state and the last time a Democrat won by a margin of larger than 5 percent until the 2022 election.

Florida

1986 Florida gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Bob Martinez Steve Pajcic Party Republican Democratic Running mate Bobby Brantley Franklin B. Mann Popular vote 1,847,525 1,538,620 Percentage 54.6% 45.4%

County results Martinez:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Pajcic:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Bob Graham Democratic Elected Governor Bob Martinez Republican

The 1986 Florida gubernatorial election took place alongside the midterm congressional elections. The Democratic Party won many victories across the country (including retaking the Senate). However, in Florida, where Democrats gained the Senate seat from Republicans, they lost the Governorship for just the second time since Reconstruction.

Georgia

1986 Georgia gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Joe Frank Harris Guy Davis Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 828,465 346,512 Percentage 70.51% 29.49%

County results Harris:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Joe Frank Harris Democratic Elected Governor Joe Frank Harris Democratic

The 1986 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Governor Joe Frank Harris (D) was overwhelmingly re-elected over Guy Davis (R) to win re-election.

Hawaii

1986 Hawaii gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee John D. Waiheʻe III D. G. Anderson Party Democratic Republican Running mate Ben Cayetano John Henry Felix Popular vote 173,655 160,460 Percentage 52.0% 48.0%

County results Waiheʻe:      50–60%

Governor before election George Ariyoshi Democratic Elected Governor John D. Waiheʻe III Democratic

The 1986 Hawaii gubernatorial election was Hawaii's eighth gubernatorial election. The election was held on November 4, 1986, and resulted in a victory for the Democratic candidate, Lt. Gov. John D. Waiheʻe III over the Republican candidate, State Senator D. G. Anderson.^[6]

Idaho

1986 Idaho gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Cecil Andrus David Leroy Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 193,429 189,794 Percentage 49.9% 49.0%

County results Andrus:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Leroy:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election John V. Evans Democratic Elected Governor Cecil Andrus Democratic

The 1986 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986 to elect the governor of the state of Idaho. Cecil Andrus, a former Democratic governor, was elected defeating the Republican Lieutenant Governor David Leroy.

This was an open seat election; longtime incumbent John V. Evans ran for the U.S. Senate, but lost. This was the first open-seat gubernatorial election in Idaho or the first open-seat Idaho gubernatorial election since 1954.

Illinois

1986 Illinois gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →
Turnout	52.37% 9.21 pp
Nominee Jim Thompson Adlai Stevenson III No nominee Party Republican Illinois Solidarity Democratic Running mate George Ryan Mike Howlett Mark Fairchild Popular vote 1,655,849 1,256,626 208,830 Percentage 52.67% 39.97% 6.64%
County results Township results Thompson:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Stevenson:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Tie:      30-40%      40-50%
Governor before election James R. Thompson Republican Elected Governor James R. Thompson Republican

The 1986 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Republican candidate James R. Thompson won a fourth term in office, defeating the Illinois Solidarity Party nominee, former United States Senator Adlai Stevenson III, by around 400,000 votes.

Iowa

1986 Iowa gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Terry Branstad Lowell Junkins Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 472,712 436,987 Percentage 51.9% 48.0%

County results Branstad:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Junkins:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Terry Branstad Republican Elected Governor Terry Branstad Republican

The 1986 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican Terry Branstad defeated Democratic nominee Lowell Junkins with 51.91% of the vote.

Kansas

1986 Kansas gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Mike Hayden Thomas Docking Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 436,267 404,338 Percentage 51.9% 48.1%

County results Hayden:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Docking:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election John W. Carlin Democratic Elected Governor Mike Hayden Republican

The 1986 Kansas gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic Governor John W. Carlin did not run for re-election. Republican nominee Mike Hayden, then Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, beat the Democratic nominee Thomas Docking, who was then the incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Kansas.^[7] This was the last gubernatorial election in Kansas in which the winner was of the same party as the incumbent president until Laura Kelly's victory in 2022.

Maine

1986 Maine gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee John McKernan James Tierney Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 170,312 128,744 Percentage 39.9% 30.2%   Nominee Sherry Huber John Menario Party Independent Independent Popular vote 64,317 63,474 Percentage 15.1% 14.9%

County results McKernan:      30–40%      40–50% Tierney:      30–40%

Governor before election Joseph Brennan Democratic Elected Governor John McKernan Republican

The 1986 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic Governor Joseph Brennan was term limited and ineligible to seek re-election. First district Congressman John McKernan defeated Democratic Party challenger James Tierney as well as former Republican turned Independent Sherry Huber and former Portland, Maine, city manager John Menario, making McKernan the first Republican to win The Blaine House since 1962.

Maryland

1986 Maryland gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee William Donald Schaefer Thomas J. Mooney Party Democratic Republican Running mate Melvin Steinberg Melvin A. Bilal Popular vote 907,291 194,185 Percentage 82.37% 17.63%

County results Schaefer:      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%

Governor before election Harry Hughes Democratic Elected Governor William Donald Schaefer Democratic

The 1986 Maryland gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Democratic nominee William Donald Schaefer defeated Republican nominee Thomas J. Mooney with 82.37% of the vote.

Massachusetts

1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 3, 1986 1990 →
Turnout	57.41% 25.1 [8]
Nominee Michael Dukakis George Kariotis Party Democratic Republican Running mate Evelyn Murphy Nicholas Nikitas Popular vote 1,157,786 525,364 Percentage 68.79% 31.21%
County results Municipality results Dukakis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Kariotis:      50–60%      70–80%
Governor before election Michael Dukakis Democratic Elected Governor Michael Dukakis Democratic

The 1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Michael Dukakis was elected Governor of Massachusetts for a third term. He defeated Republican George Kariotis by a 69–31% margin. This was the last time a Democrat was elected governor of Massachusetts until 2006.

Michigan

1986 Michigan gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee James Blanchard William Lucas Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,632,138 753,647 Percentage 68.10% 31.45%

County results Municipality results Blanchard:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Lucas:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election James Blanchard Democratic Elected Governor James Blanchard Democratic

The 1986 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 4.

The primary elections occurred on August 6, 1986.^[9] The Democrats nominated incumbent governor James Blanchard. The Republicans nominated Wayne County executive William Lucas, who made history by being the first African-American nominee by either major party for Governor of Michigan.

Blanchard was re-elected by a landslide, winning the election with 68.1% of the vote.^[10]

Minnesota

1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Rudy Perpich Cal Ludeman Party Democratic (DFL) Ind.-Republican Running mate Marlene Johnson Dennis W. Schulstad Popular vote 790,138 606,755 Percentage 56.11% 43.09%

County results Perpich:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Ludeman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL) Elected Governor Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL)

The 1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party candidate Rudy Perpich defeated Independent-Republican Party challenger Cal Ludeman. George Latimer unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination.

Democrats would not win another gubernatorial election in the state until 2010.

Nebraska

1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Kay Orr Helen Boosalis Party Republican Democratic Running mate Bill Nichol Donald McGinley Popular vote 298,325 265,156 Percentage 52.9% 47.0%

County results Orr:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Boosalis:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Bob Kerrey Democratic Elected Governor Kay Orr Republican

The 1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, and featured state Treasurer Kay Orr, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, former Mayor of Lincoln Helen Boosalis. Incumbent Democratic governor Bob Kerrey did not seek a second term.

The election was the first state gubernatorial election in U.S. history where the candidates of both major national parties were women.^[11]

Nevada

1986 Nevada gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04) 1990 →

Nominee Richard Bryan Patty Cafferata Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 187,268 65,081 Percentage 73.5% 25.5%

County results Bryan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Richard Bryan Democratic Elected Governor Richard Bryan Democratic

The 1986 Nevada gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democrat Richard Bryan won re-election to a second term as Governor of Nevada, defeating Republican nominee Patty Cafferata.

New Hampshire

1986 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

← 1984 November 4, 1986 1988 →

Nominee John H. Sununu Paul McEachern Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 134,824 116,142 Percentage 53.72% 46.28%

County results Municipality results Sununu:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% McEachern:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%

Governor before election John H. Sununu Republican Elected Governor John H. Sununu Republican

The 1986 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Governor John Sununu was re-elected to a third term in office, defeating Paul McEachern, who had defeated Paul M. Gagnon for the Democratic nomination.

New Mexico

1986 New Mexico gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Garrey Carruthers Ray Powell Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 209,455 185,378 Percentage 53.05% 46.95%

County results Carruthers:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Powell:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Toney Anaya Democratic Elected Governor Garrey Carruthers Republican

The 1986 New Mexico gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986, in order to elect the governor of New Mexico. Due to term limits, incumbent Democratic governor Toney Anaya was ineligible to seek a second term as governor.

New York

1986 New York gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Mario Cuomo Andrew O'Rourke Party Democratic Republican Alliance Liberal Conservative Running mate Stan Lundine E. Michael Kavanagh Popular vote 2,775,045 1,363,968 Percentage 64.63% 31.77%

County results Cuomo:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% O'Rourke:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Mario Cuomo Democratic Elected Governor Mario Cuomo Democratic

The 1986 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York. Incumbent Democratic governor Mario Cuomo defeated Republican Andrew O'Rourke, the County Executive of Westchester County in a landslide. Cuomo carried all but 5 counties.

Ohio

1986 Ohio gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Dick Celeste Jim Rhodes Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,858,372 1,207,264 Percentage 60.6% 39.4%

County results Township results Celeste:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Rhodes:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Dick Celeste Democratic Elected Governor Dick Celeste Democratic

The 1986 Ohio gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic Governor Dick Celeste ran against four time former Governor Jim Rhodes, who had previously defeated the last two incumbent Democratic governors in 1962 and 1974.

Oklahoma

1986 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Henry Bellmon David Walters Jerry Brown Party Republican Democratic Independent Popular vote 431,762 405,295 60,115 Percentage 47.4% 44.5% 6.6%

County results Bellmon:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Walters:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election George Nigh Democratic Elected Governor Henry Bellmon Republican

The 1986 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect the governor of Oklahoma. Republican former Governor and Senator Henry Bellmon won the election by a plurality with Independent Jerry Brown receiving more than twice the number of votes separating Bellmon from Democrat David Walters.^[12]

Oregon

1986 Oregon gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Neil Goldschmidt Norma Paulus Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 549,456 506,989 Percentage 51.9% 47.9%

County results Goldschmidt:      50–60% Paulus:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Victor Atiyeh Republican Elected Governor Neil Goldschmidt Democratic

The 1986 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Democratic nominee Neil Goldschmidt defeated Republican Norma Paulus to win the election.

Pennsylvania

1986 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04) 1990 →

Nominee Bob Casey Bill Scranton III Party Democratic Republican Running mate Mark Singel Mike Fisher Popular vote 1,717,484 1,638,268 Percentage 50.69% 48.34%

County results Municipality results Casey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Scranton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%      Tie

Governor before election Dick Thornburgh Republican Elected Governor Robert P. Casey Democratic

The 1986 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Democrat Bob Casey narrowly defeated Republican Bill Scranton III, in a race that featured two very high-profile candidates.

Rhode Island

1986 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

← 1984 November 4, 1986 1988 →

Nominee Edward D. DiPrete Bruce Sundlun Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 208,822 104,504 Percentage 64.7% 32.4%

County results Municipality results DiPrete:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Edward D. DiPrete Republican Elected Governor Edward D. DiPrete Republican

The 1986 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican Edward D. DiPrete defeated Democratic nominee Bruce Sundlun with 64.70% of the vote.

South Carolina

1986 South Carolina gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Carroll Campbell Michael R. Daniel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 384,565 361,328 Percentage 51.0% 47.9%

County results Campbell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Daniel:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Richard Riley Democratic Elected Governor Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Republican

The 1986 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. Carroll A. Campbell Jr., a Republican representative of the 4th congressional district, narrowly defeated Democrat Michael R. Daniel to become the 112th governor of South Carolina and only the second Republican governor since Reconstruction.

South Dakota

1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04) 1990 →

Nominee George Mickelson Lars Herseth Party Republican Democratic Running mate Walter D. Miller Ted Thoms Popular vote 152,543 141,898 Percentage 51.8% 48.2%

County results Mickelson:      50–60%      60–70% Herseth:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Bill Janklow Republican Elected Governor George Mickelson Republican

The 1986 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986 to elect the Governor of South Dakota. Incumbent Bill Janklow was term-limited, so the field for the new governor was open. Republican nominee George S. Mickelson was elected, defeating Democratic nominee Ralph Lars Herseth.

Tennessee

1986 Tennessee gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Ned McWherter Winfield Dunn Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 656,602 553,449 Percentage 54.26% 45.74%

County results McWherter:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Dunn:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Lamar Alexander Republican Elected Governor Ned McWherter Democratic

The 1986 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Democratic nominee Ned McWherter defeated former Republican governor Winfield Dunn with 54.3% of the vote.

Texas

1986 Texas gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Bill Clements Mark White Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,813,779 1,584,515 Percentage 52.7% 46.0%

County results Clements:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% White:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Mark White Democratic Elected Governor Bill Clements Republican

The 1986 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect the governor of Texas. The election was a rematch of the 1982 election, as incumbent Democratic governor Mark White ran for reelection against former Republican governor Bill Clements. Clements was elected to a second, non-consecutive term as governor, winning 53% of the vote to White's 46%.

Vermont

1986 Vermont gubernatorial election

← 1984 November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04) 1988 →

Nominee Madeleine Kunin Peter Smith Bernie Sanders Party Democratic Republican Independent Electoral vote 139 39 2 Popular vote 92,485 75,239 28,418 Percentage 47.0% 38.2% 14.4%

County results Municipality results Kunin:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70% Smith:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

Governor before election Madeleine Kunin Democratic Elected Governor Madeleine Kunin Democratic

The 1986 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democrat Madeleine Kunin ran successfully for re-election to a second term as Governor of Vermont, defeating Republican candidate Peter Plympton Smith and independent candidate Bernie Sanders. Since no candidate won a majority of the popular vote, Kunin was elected by the Vermont General Assembly per the state constitution.

Wisconsin

1986 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Tommy G. Thompson Anthony S. Earl Party Republican Democratic Running mate Scott McCallum Sharon K. Metz Popular vote 805,090 705,578 Percentage 52.73% 46.21%

County results Thompson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Earl:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Anthony S. Earl Democratic Elected Governor Tommy G. Thompson Republican

The 1986 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Republican Tommy G. Thompson won the election with 53% of the vote, winning his first term as Governor of Wisconsin and defeating incumbent Governor Anthony S. Earl.^[13] This was the first time since 1962 that the winner of a Wisconsin gubernatorial election was of the same party as the incumbent president. Jonathan B. Barry unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination.

Wyoming

1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Mike Sullivan Pete Simpson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 88,879 75,841 Percentage 53.96% 46.04%

County results Sullivan:      50–60%      60–70% Simpson:      50–60%

Governor before election Edgar Herschler Democratic Elected Governor Mike Sullivan Democratic

The 1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Popular three-term Democratic Governor Edgar Herschler announced that he would not seek a fourth term, creating an open seat.^[14] Attorney Mike Sullivan emerged as the unlikely Democratic nominee, and faced former state representative Pete Simpson, the Republican nominee and the brother of then-U.S. senator Alan K. Simpson, in the general election. Despite Sullivan's political inexperience, he was able to defeat Simpson by a decisive margin, winning his first of two terms in office.

Territories and federal district

District of Columbia

1986 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1982 November 6, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Marion Barry Carol Schwartz Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 79,142 42,354 Percentage 61.4% 32.9%

Results by ward Barry:      60–70%      80–90% Schwartz:      50–60%      80–90%

Mayor before election Marion Barry Democratic Elected mayor Marion Barry Democratic

On November 6, 1986, Washington, D.C., held an election for its mayor, with Democratic candidate and incumbent mayor Marion Barry defeating Republican candidate Carol Schwartz.

Guam

Guam election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joseph Franklin Ada	{{{votes}}}	53.8%
	Democratic	Ricardo Bordallo	{{{votes}}}	46.2%
Total votes			{{{votes}}}	100.00
	Republican hold

U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alexander Farrelly	{{{votes}}}	65.4%
	Independent	Adelbert Bryan	{{{votes}}}	34.6%
Total votes			{{{votes}}}	100.00
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1986 United States elections
  • 1986 United States Senate elections
  • 1986 United States House of Representatives elections

Notes

1. Babbitt took office after his predecessor (Wesley Bolin) died.
2. O'Neill took office after his predecessor (Ella Grasso) resigned. He was subsequently elected in the 1982 Connecticut gubernatorial election.
3. Evans took office after his predecessor (Cecil Andrus) resigned.
4. Stevenson was originally the Democratic gubernatorial nominee but later withdrew when several Lyndon LaRouche supporters won spots on the Democratic ticket. See Solidarity Party for more details
5. Perpich took office after his predecessor (Wendell R. Anderson) resigned.
6. Kunin did not win a majority of the votes; therefore, the state assembly had to cast the final vote.