1986 Florida gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1986 United States gubernatorial elections.

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.

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 primaries took place on September 2, the runoffs on September 30, and the general election on November 4, 1986. This was the last time Republicans won Palm Beach County until 2022, and the last time that Democrats won Duval County until 2018.

Democratic nomination

Democratic Primary Runoff by county

  Pajcic

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

  Smith

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

Candidates

• Mark Kane Goldstein, former Mayor of Gainesville^[1]
• Harry Johnston, State Senator from West Palm Beach
• Steve Pajcic, State Representative from Jacksonville
• James C. Smith, Attorney General of Florida
• Joan Wollin, attorney^[1]

Democratic primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Steve Pajcic	360,900	35.89%
	Democratic	James C. Smith	309,908	30.82%
	Democratic	Harry Johnston	257,906	25.65%
	Democratic	Mark Kane Goldstein	54,060	5.38%
	Democratic	Joan L. Wollin	22,691	2.26%
Total votes			1,005,465	100.00%

Democratic primary runoff results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Steve Pajcic	429,527	50.64%
	Democratic	James C. Smith	418,614	49.36%
Total votes			848,041	100.00%

Republican nomination

Republican Primary Runoff by county

  Martinez

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%
•   80–90%

  Frey

•   50–60%
•   60–70%

Candidates

• Chester Clem, State Representative from Vero Beach
• Louis Frey Jr., U.S. Representative from Orlando and candidate for Governor in 1978
• Tom Gallagher, State Representative from Coconut Grove, Miami
• Bob Martinez, Mayor of Tampa

Withdrew

• William G. Myers, state senator from Jupiter^[4]

Declined

• Jeb Bush, chair of the Dade County Republican Party and son of vice president George Bush

Republican primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Martinez	244,417	43.80%
	Republican	Louis Frey Jr.	137,967	24.72%
	Republican	Tom Gallagher	131,265	23.52%
	Republican	Chester Clem	44,409	7.96%
Total votes			558,058	100.00%

Republican primary runoff results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Martinez	259,333	66.33%
	Republican	Louis Frey Jr.	131,652	33.67%
Total votes			390,985	100.00%

General election

Bob Martinez and Steve Pajcic wish each other luck before their gubernatorial debate

Florida gubernatorial election, 1986^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bob Martinez	1,847,525	54.56%	+19.26
	Democratic	Steve Pajcic	1,538,620	45.44%	−19.26
	Write-in		27	0.00	N/A
Majority			308,905	9.12	−20.28
Turnout			3,386,172	100.00%	N/A
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing