1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election
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| ← 1982 | November 4, 1986 | 1990 → |
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| |  |  | | 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 | |
| Elections in Wyoming |
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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.[1] 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.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary[3] | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Sullivan | 29,266 | 70.92% |
| | Democratic | Pat McGuire | 5,406 | 13.10% |
| | Democratic | Keith Goodenough | 4,039 | 9.79% |
| | Democratic | Al Hamburg | 2,554 | 6.19% |
| Total votes | 41,265 | 100.00% |
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary[3] | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Pete Simpson | 25,948 | 27.58% |
| | Republican | Bill Budd | 25,495 | 27.10% |
| | Republican | Fred Schroeder | 15,013 | 15.96% |
| | Republican | Russ Donley | 12,979 | 13.80% |
| | Republican | David R. Nicholas | 11,092 | 11.79% |
| | Republican | John R. Johnson | 3,139 | 3.34% |
| | Republican | Jim Bace | 402 | 0.43% |
| Total votes | 94,068 | 100.00% |
Results
1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election[3] | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Mike Sullivan | 88,879 | 53.96% | -9.18% |
| | Republican | Pete Simpson | 75,841 | 46.04% | +9.18% |
| Majority | 13,038 | 7.92% | -18.37% |
| Turnout | 164,720 | | |
| | Democratic hold |
References
- ^ a b "Jim Bace joints tight GOP race". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. March 11, 1986. p. B1.
- ^ a b c d Melnykovych, Andrew (March 21, 1986). "Sullivan announces candidacy". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. p. A1, A2.
- ^ a b c Thomson, Thyra (1987). 1987 Wyoming Official Directory and 1986 Election Returns. pp. 162, 275–76.
- ^ Melnykovych, Andrew (January 16, 1986). "Bill Budd announces candidacy". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. p. A1, A16.
- ^ a b "GOP gubernatorial race candidates: Wyoming economy tops issue list". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. December 7, 1985. p. B1.
- ^ a b "Donley makes race for governor formal today". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. March 20, 1986. p. A3.
