1986 United States Senate election in Iowa

The 1986 United States Senate election in Iowa was held November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican United States Senator Chuck Grassley won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee, attorney John P. Roehrick in a landslide. This would be the last time that Grassley lost a county until 2010 when Roxanne Conlin flipped Johnson County.

1986 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1980 November 4, 1986 1992 →

Nominee Chuck Grassley John Roehrick Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 588,880 299,406 Percentage 66.04% 33.57%

County results Grassley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Roehrick:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Chuck Grassley Republican Elected U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John P. Roehrick, attorney
• Juan Cortez

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John P. Roehrick	88,347	83.83%
	Democratic	Juan Cortez	16,987	16.12%
	Democratic	Write-ins	60	0.06%
Total votes			105,394	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chuck Grassley, incumbent United States Senator

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chuck Grassley (Incumbent)	108,370	99.96%
	Republican	Write-ins	38	0.04%
Total votes			108,408	100.00%

General election

Results

United States Senate election in Iowa, 1986^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chuck Grassley (Incumbent)	588,880	66.04%	+12.55%
	Democratic	John P. Roehrick	299,406	33.57%	−11.97%
	Independent	John Masters	3,370	0.38%
	Write-ins		106	0.01%
Majority			289,474	32.46%	+24.51%
Turnout			891,762
	Republican hold		Swing

See also

• 1986 United States Senate elections