1986 United States Senate elections

November 4, 1986

34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Robert Byrd Bob Dole
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since January 3, 1977 January 3, 1985
Leader's seat West Virginia Kansas
Seats before 47 53
Seats after 55 45
Seat change Increase 8 Decrease 8
Popular vote 24,347,369[1] 23,126,219[lower-alpha 1][1]
Percentage 50.1% 47.6%
Seats up 12 22
Races won 20 14

Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     No election
Rectangular inset (North Carolina): both seats up for election

Majority Leader before election

Bob Dole
Republican

Elected Majority Leader

Robert Byrd
Democratic

The 1986 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate. Held on November 4, in the middle of Ronald Reagan's second presidential term, the 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. The Republicans had to defend an unusually large number of freshman Senate incumbents who had been elected on President Ronald Reagan's coattails in 1980. Democrats won a net of eight seats, defeating seven freshman incumbents, picking up two Republican-held open seats, and regaining control of the Senate for the first time since January 1981. This remains the most recent midterm election cycle in which the sitting president's party suffered net losses while still flipping a Senate seat.

Democrats gained a net eight seats, and recaptured control of the Senate from the Republicans with a 55–45 majority. They defeated seven incumbents, all but one of whom had been elected in 1980, and gained open seats held by retiring Republicans in Maryland and Nevada. Republicans gained one open seat in Missouri. Bob Dole (R-Kansas) and Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia) exchanged positions as the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader. However, the Democratic majority would be reduced to 54-46 following the March 1987 death of Democrat Edward Zorinsky, who was then replaced with a Republican.

This was the last election cycle — until 2016 — in which the Democrats in this class of senators amassed a gain in seats (not including special elections held in off-years in some states to fill the seats that had been vacated by senators due to death, resignation, or otherwise).

Results summary

55 45
Democratic Republican

Shading indicates party with largest share of that line.

Parties Total
Democratic Republican Independent Libertarian Other
Last elections (1984)
Before these elections
47 53 0 0 0 100
Not up 35 31 66
Up
Class 3 (1980→1986)
12 22 34
Incumbent retired 3 3 6
Held by same party 2 1 3
Replaced by other party Decrease2 Republicans replaced by Increase2 Democrats
Decrease1 Democrat replaced by Increase1 Republican
3
Result 4 2 0 0 0 6
Incumbent ran 9 19 28
Won re-election 9 12 21
Lost re-election Decrease7 Republicans replaced by Increase7 Democrats 7
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
0 0 0
Result 16 12 0 0 0 28
Total elected 20 14 0 0 0 34
Net gain/loss Increase8 Decrease8 Steady Steady Steady 8
Nationwide vote 24,347,369 23,126,219[lower-alpha 1] 155,032 104,338 878,047 48,611,005
Share 50.09% 47.57% 0.32% 0.21% 1.81% 100%
Result 55 45 0 0 0 100

Source: Office of the Clerk[1]

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Three Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Arizona Barry Goldwater John McCain
Colorado Gary Hart Tim Wirth
Louisiana Russell B. Long John Breaux
Maryland Charles Mathias Barbara Mikulski
Missouri Thomas Eagleton Kit Bond
Nevada Paul Laxalt Harry Reid

Defeats

Seven Republicans sought re-election but lost in the general election, including one that simultaneously lost in a special election.

State Senator Replaced by
Alabama Jeremiah Denton Richard Shelby
Florida Paula Hawkins Bob Graham
Georgia Mack Mattingly Wyche Fowler
North Carolina Jim Broyhill Terry Sanford
North Dakota Mark Andrews Kent Conrad
South Dakota James Abdnor Tom Daschle
Washington Slade Gorton Brock Adams

Post-election changes

One Democrat died on March 6, 1987, and a Republican was appointed on March 11, 1987.

State Senator Replaced by
Nebraska
(Class 1)
Edward Zorinsky David Karnes

Change in composition

Before the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
Hawaii
Ran
D39
Conn.
Ran
D38
Colo.
Retired
D37
Calif.
Ran
D36
Ark.
Ran
D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Ill.
Ran
D42
Ky.
Ran
D43
La.
Retired
D44
Mo.
Retired
D45
Ohio
Ran
D46
S.C.
Ran
D47
Vt.
Ran
R53
Wisc.
Ran
R52
Wash.
Ran
R51
Utah
Ran
Majority →
R41
Md.
Retired
R42
Nev.
Retired
R43
N.H.
Ran
R44
N.Y.
Ran
R45
N.C. (reg) &
N.C. (sp)
Ran
R46
N.D.
Ran
R47
Okla.
Ran
R48
Ore.
Ran
R49
Pa.
Ran
R50
S.D.
Ran
R40
Kan.
Ran
R39
Iowa
Ran
R38
Ind.
Ran
R37
Idaho
Ran
R36
Ga.
Ran
R35
Fla.
Ran
R34
Ariz.
Retired
R33
Alaska
Ran
R32
Ala.
Ran
R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

After the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
Hawaii
Re-elected
D39
Conn.
Re-elected
D38
Colo.
Hold
D37
Calif.
Re-elected
D36
Ark.
Re-elected
D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Ill.
Re-elected
D42
Ky.
Re-elected
D43
La.
Hold
D44
Ohio
Re-elected
D45
S.C.
Re-elected
D46
Vt.
Re-elected
D47
Ala.
Gain
D48
Fla.
Gain
D49
Ga.
Gain
D50
Md.
Gain
Majority → D51
Nev.
Gain
R41
Ore.
Re-elected
R42
Pa.
Re-elected
R43
Utah
Re-elected
R44
Wisc.
Re-elected
R45
Mo.
Gain
D55
Wash.
Gain
D54
S.D.
Gain
D53
N.D.
Gain
D52
N.C. (reg) &
N.C. (sp)
Gain[lower-alpha 2]
R40
Okla.
Re-elected
R39
N.Y.
Re-elected
R38
N.H.
Re-elected
R37
Kan.
Re-elected
R36
Iowa
Re-elected
R35
Ind.
Re-elected
R34
Idaho
Re-elected
R33
Ariz.
Hold
R32
Alaska
Re-elected
R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

Beginning of the first session

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46 D47 D48 D49 D50
Majority → D51
R41 R42 R43 R44 R45 R46
Neb.
Gain
D54 D53 D52
R40 R39 R38 R37 R36 R35 R34 R33 R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
Key
D# Democratic
R# Republican

Race summary

Special election

In this special election, the winner was seated during 1986.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
North Carolina
(Class 3)
Jim Broyhill Republican 1986 (appointed) Interim appointee lost election to finish term.
New senator elected November 8, 1986.
Democratic gain.
Winner also elected to the next term; see below.

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1987; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama Jeremiah Denton Republican 1980 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Alaska Frank Murkowski Republican 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
Arizona Barry Goldwater Republican 1952
1958
1964 (retired)
1968
1974
1980
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Arkansas Dale Bumpers Democratic 1974
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
California Alan Cranston Democratic 1968
1974
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Edward B. Vallen (American Independent) 0.9%
  • Andrew R. Kangas (Peace and Freedom) 0.5%
Colorado Gary Hart Democratic 1974
1980
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Tim Wirth (Democratic) 49.9%
  • Ken Kramer (Republican) 48.4%
  • Michael Bush (Independent) 1.0%
Others
  • Michael Chamberlain (Socialist Workers) 0.4%
  • Henry Olshaw (Unaffiliated American) 0.2%
  • Calvin Dodge (Prohibition) 0.1%
Connecticut Chris Dodd Democratic 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Chris Dodd (Democratic) 64.8%
  • Roger W. Eddy (Republican) 34.8%
  • Edward McCallum (Independent) 0.4%
Florida Paula Hawkins Republican 1980 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Georgia Mack Mattingly Republican 1980 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Hawaii Daniel Inouye Democratic 1962
1968
1974
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Daniel Inouye (Democratic) 73.6%
  • Frank Hutchinson (Republican) 26.4%
Idaho Steve Symms Republican 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois Alan J. Dixon Democratic 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana Dan Quayle Republican 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
Iowa Chuck Grassley Republican 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Chuck Grassley (Republican) 66.0%
  • John P. Roehrick (Democratic) 34.0%
Kansas Bob Dole Republican 1968
1974
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bob Dole (Republican) 70.1%
  • Guy MacDonald (Democratic) 29.9%
Kentucky Wendell Ford Democratic 1974
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Wendell Ford (Democratic) 74.3%
  • Jackson M. Andrews (Republican) 25.7%
Louisiana Russell B. Long Democratic 1948 (special)
1950
1956
1962
1968
1974
1980
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Maryland Charles Mathias Republican 1968
1974
1980
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Missouri Thomas Eagleton Democratic 1968
1974
1980
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Nevada Paul Laxalt Republican 1974
1980
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
New Hampshire Warren Rudman Republican 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
New York Al D'Amato Republican 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Fred Newman (New Alliance) 0.3%
  • Michael Shur (Socialist Workers) 0.2%
North Carolina Jim Broyhill Republican 1986 (appointed) Interim appointee lost election to the next term.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Winner was also elected to finish the current term, see above.
North Dakota Mark Andrews Republican 1980 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic-NPL gain.
Ohio John Glenn Democratic 1974
1974 (appointed)
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
Oklahoma Don Nickles Republican 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
Oregon Bob Packwood Republican 1968
1974
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
Pennsylvania Arlen Specter Republican 1980 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Fritz Hollings Democratic 1966 (special)
1968
1974
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota James Abdnor Republican 1980 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Utah Jake Garn Republican 1974
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Jake Garn (Republican) 72.3%
  • Craig Oliver (Democratic) 26.6%
  • Hugh A. Butler (Libertarian) 0.7%
  • Mary Zins (Independent) 0.4%
Vermont Patrick Leahy Democratic 1974
1980
Incumbent re-elected.
Washington Slade Gorton Republican 1980 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Wisconsin Bob Kasten Republican 1980 Incumbent re-elected.

Closest races

In sixteen races the margin of victory was under 10%.

State Party of winner Margin
Alabama Democratic (flip) 0.56%
North Dakota Democratic (flip) 0.73%
California Democratic 1.42%
Colorado Democratic 1.55%
North Carolina (special) Democratic (flip) 1.76%
Georgia Democratic (flip) 1.83% [lower-alpha 3]
Washington Democratic (flip) 1.99%
Idaho Republican 3.11%
South Dakota Democratic (flip) 3.21%
North Carolina (regular) Democratic (flip) 3.54%
Wisconsin Republican 3.54%
Missouri Republican (flip) 5.28%
Nevada Democratic (flip) 5.48%
Louisiana Democratic 5.64%
Florida Democratic (flip) 9.48%
Alaska Republican 9.93%

Alabama

Alabama election

 
Nominee Richard Shelby Jeremiah Denton
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 609,360 602,537
Percentage 50.3% 49.7%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Jeremiah Denton
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Richard Shelby
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Jeremiah Denton ran for a second term but lost to Democrat Richard Shelby.

Shelby, a moderate-to-conservative Democrat avoided a primary runoff and won nomination in the Democratic Party primary over Jim Allen Jr., son of former senator James Allen.[2]

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Shelby 420,155 51.33%
Democratic Jim Allen Jr. 284,206 34.72%
Democratic Ted McLaughlin 70,784 8.65%
Democratic Margaret Stewart 26,723 3.27%
Democratic Steve Arnold 16,722 2.04%
Total votes 818,590 100.00%

Incumbent Senator Jeremiah Denton, a retired Rear Admiral and decorated Vietnam War veteran who six years earlier became the first Republican elected to the Senate from Alabama since Reconstruction, won the Republican primary with little opposition from Richard Vickers.[3]

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeremiah Denton 29,805 88.55%
Republican Richard Vickers 3,854 11.45%
Total votes 33,659 100.00%

Shelby won a very narrow victory over Denton (less than one percent), once again making Alabama's Senate delegation entirely Democratic.[4][5]

1986 United States Senate election in Alabama[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Richard Shelby 609,360 50.28%
Republican Jeremiah Denton (Incumbent) 602,537 49.72%
Majority 6,823 0.56%
Turnout 1,211,897
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Alaska

Alaska election

 
Nominee Frank Murkowski Glenn Olds
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 97,764 79,727
Percentage 54.02% 44.10%

U.S. senator before election

Frank Murkowski
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Frank Murkowski
Republican

Incumbent Republican Frank Murkowski ran for a second term and was primarily opposed by Democrat and Alaska Pacific University President Glenn Olds and Libertarian Chuck House, field representative for Eastman Kodak Company. Following a highly competitive election in 1980, Murkowski faced a legitimate opponent in Olds, and the contest was fairly close throughout the campaign. However, in the end, Murkowski was able to defeat Olds 63%-25% in the open primary. He won 54%-44% against Olds in the runoff.[5]

Open primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank Murkowski (inc.) 91,705 63.11%
Democratic Glenn Olds 36,995 25.46%
Democratic Bill Barnes 4,871 3.35%
Libertarian Chuck House 4,265 2.94%
Democratic Dave J. Carlson 4,211 2.90%
Democratic Michael J. Bruner 1,809 1.24%
Democratic Karl Francis 1,454 1.00%
Total votes 145,310 100.00%
1986 United States Senate election in Alaska[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frank Murkowski (Incumbent) 97,674 54.02% +0.34%
Democratic Glenn Olds 79,727 44.10% -1.84%
Libertarian Chuck House 3,161 1.75%
Write-ins 239 0.13%
Majority 17,947 9.93% +2.17%
Turnout 180,801 100.0
Republican hold Swing

Arizona

Arizona election

 
Nominee John McCain Richard Kimball
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 521,850 340,965
Percentage 60.4% 39.5%

U.S. Senate election results map.
Red denotes counties won by McCain.
Blue denotes those won by Kimball.

U.S. senator before election

Barry Goldwater
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

John McCain
Republican

Incumbent Republican Barry Goldwater decided to retire instead of seeking a sixth term. The open seat was won by Republican John McCain, a Congressman and former Navy Officer who beat Democratic State Legislator Richard Kimball. Both candidates were unopposed in their respective primaries.

Kimball's campaign was subject to negative press from the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette. One Gazette columnist described him as displaying "terminal weirdness."[7] McCain ultimately won the election by a margin of 20%,[5] and he would go on to win six more terms to the U.S. Senate.[1]

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John McCain 521,850 60.47% +11.02%
Democratic Richard Kimball 340,965 39.51% -8.87%
Write-ins 106 0.01%
Majority 180,885 20.96% +19.89%
Turnout 862,921
Republican hold Swing

Arkansas

Arkansas election

 
Nominee Dale Bumpers Asa Hutchinson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 433,122 262,313
Percentage 62.3% 37.7%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Dale Bumpers
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Dale Bumpers
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Dale Bumpers won re-election to a third term over Republican U.S. Attorney Asa Hutchinson. Both ran unopposed in their respective primaries.[5]

Arkansas Senate election 1986[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dale Bumpers (Incumbent) 433,122 62.3%
Republican Asa Hutchinson 262,313 37.7%
Independent Ralph Forbes 52 0.1%
Majority 170,809 24.6%
Turnout 695,487
Democratic hold

California

California election

 
Nominee Alan Cranston Ed Zschau
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 3,646,672 3,541,804
Percentage 49.3% 47.9%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Alan Cranston
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Alan Cranston
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Alan Cranston won re-nomination over nominal Democratic opposition. Congressman Ed Zschau narrowly defeated Bruce Herschensohn in the Republican primary to secure the nomination. Cranston narrowly won re-election to a fourth term over Zschau, 49%-48%.[5]

1986 United States Senate election, California[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alan Cranston (Incumbent) 3,646,672 49.3%
Republican Ed Zschau 3,541,804 47.9%
American Independent Edward B Vallen 109,916 1.5%
Libertarian Breck McKinley 66,261 0.9%
Peace and Freedom Paul Kangas 33,869 0.5%
Majority 104,868 1.4%
Turnout 7,398,522
Democratic hold

Colorado

Colorado election

 
Nominee Tim Wirth Ken Kramer
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 529,449 512,994
Percentage 49.9% 48.4%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Gary Hart
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Tim Wirth
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Gary Hart retired instead of seeking a third term. Democratic nominee Tim Wirth and Republican Ken Kramer ran unopposed for the seat. In an ultimately very close election, Wirth defeated Kramer by just under 2%. Wirth would retire and opt not to seek a second term.[5]

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tim Wirth 529,449 49.91% -0.42%
Republican Ken Kramer 512,994 48.36% -0.34%
Independent Michael Martin Bush 11,127 1.05%
Socialist Workers Michael R. Chamberlain 3,756 0.35%
Independent American Henry John Olshaw 1,868 0.18% -0.17%
Prohibition Calvin G. Dodge 1,571 0.15%
Majority 16,455 1.55% -0.09%
Turnout 1,060,765
Democratic hold Swing

Connecticut

Connecticut election

 
Nominee Chris Dodd Roger Eddy
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 632,695 340,438
Percentage 64.8% 34.9%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Chris Dodd
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Chris Dodd
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Chris Dodd received the Democratic nomination with no opposition. Republican Roger Eddy of the Republican National Committee won the Republican nomination. Dodd handily defeated Eddy, 65%-35%.[10][5]

1986 Connecticut United States Senate election[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Christ Dodd (Incumbent) 632,695 64.8%
Republican Roger Eddy 340,438 34.9%
Independent Edward J. McCallum Jr. 3,800 0.4%
Majority 292,257 29.9%
Turnout 976,933
Democratic hold

Florida

Florida election

 
Nominee Bob Graham Paula Hawkins
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,877,543 1,552,376
Percentage 54.7% 45.2%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Paula Hawkins
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Bob Graham
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Paula Hawkins won renomination with nominal opposition, but so did her Democratic opponent, popular Governor of Florida Bob Graham. Graham defeated Hawkins by nearly 9% on election day.[1][5]

Democratic primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Graham 850,560 85.04%
Democratic Bob Kunst 149,657 14.96%
Total votes 1,000,217 100.00%
Republican primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paula Hawkins (Incumbent) 491,767 88.73%
Republican Jon Larsen Shudlick 62,443 11.27%
Total votes 554,210 100.00%
General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Graham 1,877,543 54.74% +6.40%
Republican Paula Hawkins (Incumbent) 1,552,376 45.26% -6.40%
Write-ins 77 0.00%
Majority 325,167 9.48% +6.16%
Turnout 3,429,996
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Georgia

Georgia election

 
Nominee Wyche Fowler Mack Mattingly
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 623,707 601,241
Percentage 50.92% 49.08%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Mack Mattingly
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Wyche Fowler
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Mack Mattingly decided to run for re-election and lost a close race to Democratic U.S. Congressman Wyche Fowler, who had defeated former White House Chief of Staff Hamilton Jordan in the Democratic primary.[1][5] Fowler would lose re-election in 1992.

1986 United States Senate election, Georgia[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Wyche Fowler 623,707 50.91% +1.78%
Republican Mack Mattingly (Incumbent) 601,241 49.08% -1.79%
Write-In Votes 60 0.00% N/A
Majority 22,466 1.83% +.09%
Turnout 1,225,008
Democratic gain from Republican Swing 1.78%

Hawaii

Hawaii election

 
Nominee Daniel Inouye Frank Hutchinson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 241,887 86,910
Percentage 73.6% 26.4%

County results
Inouye:      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Daniel Inouye
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Daniel Inouye
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Daniel Inouye won re-election to a fifth term, 74%-26%, over Republican Frank Hutchinson, who had defeated Marvin Franklin in the Republican primary.[5]

1986 United States Senate election in Hawaii[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Daniel Inouye (Incumbent) 241,887 73.57%
Republican Frank Hutchinson 86,910 26.43%
Majority 154,977 47.14%
Turnout 328,797
Democratic hold Swing

Idaho

Idaho election

 
Nominee Steve Symms John V. Evans
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 196,958 185,066
Percentage 51.6% 48.4%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Steve Symms
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Steve Symms
Republican

Incumbent Republican Steve Symms won re-election to a second term over Democratic Governor John V. Evans. Evans was a popular governor, and the race was ultimately close, but Symms prevailed by just over 2%.[5]

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Steve Symms (Incumbent) 196,958 51.56% +1.81%
Democratic John V. Evans 185,066 48.44% -0.33%
Majority 11,892 3.11% +2.14%
Turnout 382,024
Republican hold Swing

Illinois

Illinois election

 
Nominee Alan Dixon Judy Koehler
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,033,783 1,053,734
Percentage 65.1% 33.7%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Alan J. Dixon
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Alan J. Dixon
Democratic

The incumbent Democratic Alan J. Dixon won re-election to a second term over Republican State Representative Judy Koehler, who won the Republican nomination over George Ranney.[5] This is also the last time as of 2016 that a winning Senate Candidate was elected to this seat twice.

Dixon easily won the senate race. Koehler fared poorly throughout most parts of the state, only winning 10 of the states 102 counties.

1986 Illinois United States Senate election[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Alan J. Dixon (Incumbent) 2,033,783 65.1% +9.1%
Republican Judy Koehler 1,053,734 33.7% -8.8%
Independent Einar V. Dyhrkopp 15,804 0.5%
Libertarian Don Parrish 13,891 0.5%
Socialist Workers Omari Musa 5,671 0.2%
Majority 980,049 31.4%
Turnout 3,122,883
Democratic hold Swing

Indiana

Indiana election

 
Nominee Dan Quayle Jill Long Thompson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 936,143 595,192
Percentage 60.6% 38.5%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Dan Quayle
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Dan Quayle
Republican

Incumbent Republican Dan Quayle won re-election to a second term over Democratic Valparaiso City Councilwoman Jill L. Long.[15][5]

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Quayle (Incumbent) 936,143 60.57%
Democratic Jill L. Long 595,192 38.51%
Libertarian Bradford Warren 8,314 0.54%
American Rockland Snyder 5,914 0.38%
Majority 340,951 22.06%
Turnout 1,545,563
Republican hold

Iowa

Iowa election

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

County results

U.S. senator before election

Chuck Grassley
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Chuck Grassley
Republican

Incumbent Republican Chuck Grassley ran for re-election to a second term, which he won easily over Democratic nominee John P. Roehrick, an attorney.[5]

Democratic primary results[16]
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 results[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chuck Grassley (Incumbent) 108,370 99.96%
Republican Write-ins 38 0.04%
Total votes 108,408 100.00%
1986 United States Senate election in Iowa[1]
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

Kansas

Kansas election

 
Nominee Bob Dole Guy MacDonald
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 576,902 246,664
Percentage 70.05% 29.95%

County Results
Dole:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Bob Dole
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Bob Dole
Republican

Incumbent Republican Bob Dole ran for re-election to a fourth term, which he won easily over Democratic nominee Guy MacDonald, a school teacher, who had narrowly prevailed in a crowded field of Democratic candidates.[5]

1986 United States Senate election in Kansas[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bob Dole (Incumbent) 576,902 70.05%
Democratic Guy MacDonald 246,664 29.95%
Majority 330,238 40.10%
Turnout 823,566
Republican hold Swing

Kentucky

Kentucky election

 
Nominee Wendell Ford Jackson Andrews
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 503,775 173,330
Percentage 74.40% 25.60%

Country results

U.S. senator before election

Wendell Ford
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Wendell Ford
Democratic

Democrat Wendell Ford won re-election, He defeated Republican Jackson Andrews, who emerged from a competitive primary.[5]

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wendell Ford (incumbent) 503,775 74.40%
Republican Jackson Andrews 173,330 25.60%
Democratic hold

Louisiana

Louisiana election

 
Nominee John Breaux Henson Moore
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 723,586 646,311
Percentage 52.82% 47.18%

Parish Results
Breaux:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Moore:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Russell B. Long
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John Breaux
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Russell B. Long decided to retire instead of seeking an eighth term. The open seat was won by Democrat U.S. Representative John Breaux, who beat Republican U.S. Representative Henson Moore by just over 5% after the two finished second and first in the open primary, respectively.[5]

1986 United States Senate election in Louisiana[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Breaux 723,586 52.82%
Republican W. Henson Moore 646,311 47.18%
Majority 77,275 5.64%
Turnout 1,369,897
Democratic hold Swing

Maryland

Maryland election

 
Nominee Barbara Mikulski Linda Chavez
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 675,225 437,411
Percentage 60.7% 39.3%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Charles Mathias
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Barbara Mikulski
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Charles Mathias decided to retire, instead of seeking a fourth term. At the time of this announcement, it was expected that then-Governor Harry Hughes would run for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Mathias. However, Hughes became caught up in the aftermath of the Maryland savings and loan crisis. He lost popularity with voters, opening the door for Mikulski's bid for the Senate. Congresswoman Barbara Mikulski received the Democratic nomination over fellow Congressman Michael D. Barnes and governor Harry Hughes, the last of whom finished third. Mikulski had previously run for the seat in 1974.

Chavez won the primary handily, defeating several Republican challengers. Later, she made comments that some Mikulski supporters interpreted as an attempt to draw attention to the issue of Mikulski's sexual orientation. In an article quoting Chavez's claim that Mikulski was a "San Francisco-style, George McGovern, liberal Democrat", The Washington Post reported that Chavez was directly implying that the never-married Mikulski was a lesbian. Chavez was accused of making Mikulski's sexual orientation a central issue of the political campaign. In defending her use of the phrase, Chavez stated the line "San Francisco Democrats" was a reference to Jeane Kirkpatrick's 1984 Republican National Convention "Blame America First" speech, in which Kirkpatrick coined the phrase "San Francisco Liberal.". The phrase "San Francisco liberal" was common at the time.

Mikulski eventually won the race with 61 percent of the vote.[5] She was the first female Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in her own right (not appointed or filling a seat of a deceased husband). No Republican since Mathias has represented Maryland in the U.S. Senate.

Democratic primary results[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Barbara A. Mikulski 307,876 49.50%
Democratic Michael D. Barnes 195,086 31.37%
Democratic Harry Hughes 88,908 14.30%
Democratic Debra Hanania Freeman 9,350 1.50%
Democratic Edward M. Olszewski 7,877 1.27%
Democratic A. Robert Kaufman 6,505 1.05%
Democratic Boyd E. Sweatt 3,580 0.58%
Democratic Leonard E. Trout Jr. 2,742 0.44%
Total votes 621,924 100.00%
Republican primary results[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Linda Chavez 100,888 73.07%
Republican Michael Schaefer 16,902 12.24%
Republican George Haley 5,808 4.21%
Republican Melvin Perkins 2,785 2.02%
Republican Nicholas T. Nonnenmacher 2,751 1.99%
Republican Richard Sullivan 2,328 1.69%
Republican Howard D. Greyber 1,678 1.22%
Republican Monroe Cornish 1,497 1.08%
Republican Herbert Stone Rosenberg 1,337 0.97%
Republican Horace Stuart Rich 1,199 0.87%
Republican Abraham H. Kalish 901 0.65%
Total votes 138,074 100.00%
1986 United States Senate election in Maryland[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Barbara A. Mikulski 675,225 60.69% +26.85%
Republican Linda Chavez 437,411 39.31% -26.85%
Majority 237,814 21.37% -10.96%
Total votes 1,017,151 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Missouri

Missouri election

 
Nominee Kit Bond Harriett Woods
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 777,612 699,624
Percentage 52.6% 47.4%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Thomas Eagleton
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Kit Bond
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Tom Eagleton decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. Republican Governor Kit Bond won the open seat, beating Democratic Lieutenant Governor Harriett Woods.[5]

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kit Bond 777,612 52.6%
Democratic Harriett Woods 699,624 47.4%
Majority 77,988 5.2%
Turnout 1,477,236
Republican gain from Democratic

Nevada

Nevada election

 
Nominee Harry Reid Jim Santini
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 130,955 116,606
Percentage 50.0% 44.5%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Paul Laxalt
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Harry Reid
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Paul Laxalt decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. U.S. Representative Democratic nominee Harry Reid won the open seat over Republican former U.S. Representative James David Santini.[1][5] Reid had previously run for the seat in 1974.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harry Reid 130,955 50.00% +12.61%
Republican Jim Santini 116,606 44.52% -14.01%
None of These Candidates 9,472 3.62% +2.33%
Libertarian Kent Cromwell 4,899 1.87% -0.94%
Majority 14,349 5.48% -15.66%
Turnout 261,932
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

New Hampshire

New Hampshire election

 
Nominee Warren Rudman Endicott Peabody
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 154,090 79,222
Percentage 63.0% 32.4%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Warren Rudman
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Warren Rudman
Republican

Incumbent Republican Warren Rudman won re-election to a second term, beating the Democratic former Governor of Massachusetts Endicott Peabody.[5]

General election results[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Warren Rudman (Incumbent) 154,090 63.0%
Democratic Endicott Peabody 79,222 32.4%
Independent Bruce Valley 11,423 4.7%
Majority 74,868 30.6%
Turnout 244,735
Republican hold

New York

New York election

 
Nominee Al D'Amato Mark Green
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,378,197 1,723,216
Percentage 56.9% 41.2%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Al D'Amato
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Al D'Amato
Republican

Incumbent Republican Al D'Amato won re-election to a second term over Democrat Mark Green, the Chief Speechwriter for U.S. Senator Gary Hart and former congressional candidate.[5] Green had won a contested primary over the more moderate John S. Dyson. D'Amato won most counties in the state, losing just 5 counties. This was D'Amato's largest margin of victory during his Senate career.

1986 New York U.S. Senate general election[19][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Al D'Amato (Incumbent) 2,030,260
Conservative Al D'Amato 212,101
Right to Life Al D'Amato 135,386
total Al D'Amato 2,378,197 56.9%
Democratic Mark Green 1,723,216 41.2%
Liberal John S. Dyson 60,099 1.4%
New Alliance Fred Newman 10,559 0.3%
Socialist Workers Michael Shur 7,376 0.2%
Others 305,412
Majority 654,981 15.7%
Turnout 4,179,447
Republican hold

North Carolina

There were two elections in North Carolina.

Incumbent Republican Jim Broyhill, who had been appointed in June 1986 to serve out the rest of John Porter East's term, faced off against the popular Democratic former Governor Terry Sanford. There were two separate elections held on the same day: a special election for what little remained of the 99th United States Congress (November 1986 – January 1987) and a regular election for a new six-year term (beginning in January 1987).[20] Sanford won both elections.

The primary elections would nominate candidates to the special and the regular election.

North Carolina (regular)

North Carolina election

 
Nominee Terry Sanford Jim Broyhill
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 823,662 767,668
Percentage 51.76% 48.24%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Jim Broyhill
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Terry Sanford
Democratic

Terry Sanford, then the outgoing president of Duke University, first said in September 1985 that he was planning to run for the U.S. Senate the next year but quickly withdrew, as it appeared that the party wanted a "fresh" face, most likely in the person of UNC System President William Friday.[21] Then, Friday declined to run, as did other well-known politicians like former Gov. Jim Hunt.[22] Former North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lauch Faircloth then made it known that he would run, but he was considered too conservative by many party leaders, who encouraged Sanford to enter the race in order to defeat Faircloth.[21] Sanford agreed to run, which led Faircloth and another candidate, Judge Marvin K. Blount Jr., to withdraw before filing their candidacies. Six years later, Faircloth did run for the Senate against Sanford, but this time as a Republican.

Sen. East declined to run for a second term, citing his health. Longtime U.S. Representative Jim Broyhill entered the race with much of the establishment support, but David Funderburk had the backing of the organization of Senator Jesse Helms.[22] Funderburk charged Broyhill with being insufficiently conservative, but in the end, Broyhill won the nomination handily in the May primary. The next month, Sen. East committed suicide, and Gov. James G. Martin appointed Broyhill to his seat.

Sanford narrowly defeated incumbent Broyhill on both election ballots, though he received a slightly smaller margin of victory to finish the remainder of East's term due to a lower turnout.[5]

1986 North Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary election[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Terry Sanford 409,394 60.25%
Democratic John Ingram 111,557 16.42%
Democratic Fountain Odom 49,689 7.31%
Democratic William Belk 33,821 4.98%
Democratic Theodore Kinney 27,228 4.01%
Democratic Betty Wallace 17,001 2.50%
Democratic Katherine Harper 12,998 1.91%
Democratic Walt Atkins 8,306 1.22%
Democratic Others 9,493 1.40%
Turnout 679,487
1986 North Carolina U.S. Senate Republican primary election[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Broyhill (incumbent) 139,570 66.52%
Republican David Funderburk 63,593 30.31%
Republican Frazier Glenn Miller Jr. 6,662 3.18%
Turnout 148,574
1986 North Carolina U.S. Senate election[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Terry Sanford 823,662 51.76% +2.38%
Republican Jim Broyhill (Incumbent) 767,668 48.24% −1.72%
Majority 55,994 3.54%
Turnout 1,591,330
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

North Carolina (special)

North Carolina special election

 
Nominee Terry Sanford Jim Broyhill
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 780,967 753,881
Percentage 50.88% 49.12%

U.S. senator before election

Jim Broyhill
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Terry Sanford
Democratic

This was a special election for what little remained of the 99th United States Congress (November 1986 – January 1987), being held contemporaneously with a regular election for a new six-year term (beginning in January 1987).[20][5]

1986 North Carolina U.S. Senate election – Special election[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Terry Sanford 780,967 50.88%
Republican Jim Broyhill (Incumbent) 753,881 49.12%
Majority 27,086 1.76%
Turnout 1,534,875
Democratic gain from Republican

North Dakota

North Dakota election

 
Nominee Kent Conrad Mark Andrews
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 143,932 141,812
Percentage 49.8% 49.1%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Mark Andrews
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Kent Conrad
Democratic

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mark Andrews lost re-election to a second term to Dem-NPL nominee Kent Conrad, State Tax Commissioner. Andrews lost re-election by just over 2,000[1][5] votes after a rigorous campaign involving personal attacks.[27]

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kent Conrad 143,932 49.80%
Republican Mark Andrews (Incumbent) 141,812 49.07%
Independent Anna B. Bourgois 3,269 1.13%
Majority
Turnout 289,013
Democratic gain from Republican

Ohio

Ohio election

 
Nominee John Glenn Tom Kindness
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,949,208 1,171,893
Percentage 62.5% 37.6%

County results

U.S. senator before election

John Glenn
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John Glenn
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator John Glenn won re-election to a third term over Republican U.S. Congressman Tom Kindness.[5]

1986 OhioUnited States Senate election[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Glenn (Incumbent) 1,949,208 62.5%
Republican Tom Kindness 1,171,893 37.6%
Independent Kathleen M. Button 59 0.0%
Independent William M. Harris 29 0.0%
Majority 777,315 24.1%
Turnout 3,121,189
Democratic hold

Oklahoma

Oklahoma election

 
Nominee Don Nickles James R. Jones
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 493,436 400,230
Percentage 55.2% 44.8%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Don Nickles
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Don Nickles
Republican

Incumbent Republican Don Nickles won re-election to his second term, over Democratic U.S. Congressman James R. Jones, who defeated James Gentry in the primary.[5]

OK U.S. Senate election, 1986 Senate election[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Don Nickles (Incumbent) 493,436 55.2%
Democratic James R. Jones 400,230 44.8%
Majority 93,206 10.4%
Turnout 893,666
Republican hold

Oregon

Oregon election

 
Nominee Bob Packwood Rick Bauman
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 656,317 375,735
Percentage 63.5% 36.5%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Bob Packwood
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Bob Packwood
Republican

Incumbent Bob Packwood ran for re-election, though he faced a significant primary challenge from Joe Lutz.[30] U.S. Congressman Jim Weaver received the Democratic nomination. A populist Democratic congressman from Eugene, Oregon, he was a darling of the environmentalists. Weaver supported the Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984. Packwood was confident despite the popular opponent, because had more money and a better campaign organization.[31] After winning the party nomination, Weaver was the subject of a House Ethics Committee probe into his campaign finances, and withdrew his candidacy. Rick Bauman was selected to replace Weaver on the ballot, and lost handily to Packwood.[5]

Democratic primary for the United States Senate from Oregon, 1986[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Weaver 183,334 61.56%
Democratic Rod Monroe 44,553 14.96%
Democratic Rick Bauman 41,939 14.08%
Democratic Steve Anderson 26,130 8.77%
Democratic miscellaneous 1,868 0.63%
Total votes 297,824 100.00%
Republican primary for the United States Senate from Oregon, 1986[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Packwood (incumbent) 171,985 57.62%
Republican Joe Lutz 126,315 42.32%
Republican miscellaneous 166 0.06%
Total votes 298,466 100.00%
1986 United States Senate election in Oregon[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Packwood (Incumbent) 656,317 62.95%
Democratic Rick Bauman 375,735 36.04%
Independent (US) Write-in 10,503 1.01%
Majority 280,582 26.91%
Total votes 1,042,555 100.00%
Republican hold

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania election

 
Nominee Arlen Specter Bob Edgar
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,906,537 1,448,219
Percentage 56.4% 42.9%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Arlen Specter
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Arlen Specter
Republican

Incumbent Republican Arlen Specter, who had been elected in 1980, ran for re-election and faced Democrat Robert W. Edgar in the general election.

Specter was viewed somewhat tepidly by the Pennsylvania electorate entering the race, although both men shared similar moderate profiles. Additionally, economic woes had dragged down the popularity of Republican candidates in the industrial states. Don Bailey, the state's incumbent Auditor General, who projected a strong blue collar image and had moderate positions that were often relatively close to Specter's, and Edgar, a Methodist minister and sitting Congressman, who had more liberal viewpoints and was with the Vietnam War-era peace movement and anti-corruption movement following the Watergate scandals, ran for the Democratic nomination.[35] However, issues played a very minor role in the primary, which instead showcased the state's geographical divide, with Delaware County-based Edgar narrowly defeating Westmoreland County-based Bailey.[36]

Specter defeated Edgar in the general election by nearly 13% of the vote.[36][5]

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arlen Specter (Incumbent) 1,906,537 56.4%
Democratic Robert W. Edgar 1,448,219 42.9%
Independent Lance S. Haver 23,470 0.7%
Majority 458,318 13.5%
Turnout 3,378,226
Republican hold

South Carolina

South Carolina election

 
Nominee Ernest Hollings Henry McMaster
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 463,354 261,394
Percentage 63.10% 35.60%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Ernest Hollings
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ernest Hollings
Democratic

Popular incumbent Democratic Senator Fritz Hollings easily defeated Republican U.S. Attorney and future Governor Henry McMaster, who defeated Henry Jordan for the Republican nomination, to win his fifth (his fourth full) term.[5]

South Carolina Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Henry McMaster 27,695 53.4%
Republican Henry Jordan 24,164 46.6%

The race was not seriously contested and was not a target by the Republicans. With little financial assistance, McMaster was unable to mount a credible challenge to Hollings's re-election in what became a difficult year for Republicans.

South Carolina election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Fritz Hollings (Incumbent) 465,511 63.1% -7.3%
Republican Henry McMaster 262,976 35.6% +6.0%
Libertarian Steven B. Vandervelde 4,788 0.7% +0.7%
American Ray Hillyard 4,588 0.6% +0.6%
No party Write-Ins 199 0.0% 0.0%
Majority 202,535 27.5% -13.3%
Turnout 738,062 56.6% -13.9%
Democratic hold Swing

South Dakota

South Dakota election

 
Nominee Tom Daschle James Abdnor
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 152,657 143,173
Percentage 51.6% 48.4%

County results

U.S. senator before election

James Abdnor
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Tom Daschle
Democratic

Incumbent Republican James Abdnor ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democratic Congressman Tom Daschle.[37][5]

Daschle was uncontested for the Democratic nomination and therefore was able to focus on the general election early, while Abdnor had to fight a challenge from an incumbent governor, Bill Janklow.

Republican primary results[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Abdnor (Incumbent) 63,414 54.51%
Republican Bill Janklow 52,924 45.49%
Total votes 116,338 100.00%
General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tom Daschle 152,657 51.60% +12.21%
Republican James Abdnor (Incumbent) 143,173 48.40% -9.80%
Majority 9,484 3.21% -15.60%
Turnout 295,830
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Utah

Utah election

 
Nominee Jake Garn Craig S. Oliver
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 314,608 115,523
Percentage 72.31% 26.55%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Jake Garn
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Jake Garn
Republican

Republican Jake Garn, originally elected in 1974, ran for re-election to a third term. He faced nominal opposition from Democrat Craig S. Oliver in the general election, defeating him 72%-27%.[5]

1986 United States Senate election in Utah[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jake Garn (Incumbent) 314,608 72.31%
Democratic Craig S. Oliver (D) 115,523 26.55%
Libertarian Hugh A. Butler (L) 3,023 0.69%
Socialist Workers Mary Zins 1,863 0.43%
None Write-Ins 94 0.02%
Majority 199,085 45.76%
Turnout 435,111
Republican hold Swing

Vermont

Vermont election

 
Nominee Patrick Leahy Richard A. Snelling
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 124,123 67,798
Percentage 63.2% 34.5%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Patrick Leahy
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Patrick Leahy
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Patrick Leahy won re-election to a third term over Republican former Governor of Vermont Richard A. Snelling and Liberty Unionist sociologist and perennial candidate Jerry Levy. The race was initially expected to be competitive, with Ronald Reagan encouraging Snelling to run.[39]

Both Leahy and Snelling were well-respected and highly popular in Vermont, and the general feeling was that they would both make good senators. However, Snelling was felt to be at a disadvantage for several reasons, including the fact that his main campaign plank was deficit reduction, which The Caledonian-Record noted Leahy was already a well-known advocate for, and the fact that Leahy had acquired a reputation as one of the Senate's most knowledgeable figures on the issue of nuclear proliferation, an issue which the Brattleboro Reformer noted that Snelling had no experience with.[40]

Nonetheless, Leahy defeated Snelling in a 63%-35% landslide.[5] Leahy would face one more tough re-election challenge in 1992 against Republican Jim Douglas, handily winning each term thereafter.

Democratic primary results[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Patrick Leahy (inc.) 21,255 97.63%
Democratic Write-ins 516 2.37%
Total votes 21,771 100.00%
Liberty Union primary results[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberty Union Jerry Levy 147 93.04%
Liberty Union Write-ins 11 6.96%
Total votes 158 100.00%
Republican primary results[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard A. Snelling 21,477 75.11%
Republican Anthony N. Doria 6,493 22.71%
Republican Write-ins 625 2.19%
Total votes 28,595 100.00%
General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Patrick Leahy (Incumbent) 124,123 63.16% +13.34%
Republican Richard A. Snelling 67,798 34.50% -14.00%
Conservative Party (US) Anthony N. Doria 2,963 1.51%
Liberty Union Jerry Levy 1,583 0.81%
Write-ins 65 0.02%
Majority 56,325 28.66% +27.34%
Turnout 196,532
Democratic hold Swing

Washington

Washington election

 
Nominee Brock Adams Slade Gorton
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 677,471 650,931
Percentage 50.7% 48.7%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Slade Gorton
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Brock Adams
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Slade Gorton and Brock Adams, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, finished top two in the open primary. Adams narrowly defeated Gorton by just under 2%.[5] Gorton would win an election to Washington's other senate seat in 1988, serving for two terms.

1986 United States Senate election in Washington[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brock Adams 677,471 50.66%
Republican Slade Gorton (Incumbent) 650,931 48.67%
Socialist Workers Jill Fein 8,965 0.67%
Majority 26,540 1.99%
Turnout 1,337,367
Democratic gain from Republican

Wisconsin

Wisconsin election

 
Nominee Bob Kasten Ed Garvey
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 754,573 702,963
Percentage 50.9% 47.4%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Bob Kasten
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Bob Kasten
Republican

Incumbent Republican Bob Kasten ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Ed Garvey, former Deputy Attorney General of Wisconsin and executive director of the NFLPA, defeated Matt Flynn in the Democratic primary.[43] Kasten defeated Garvey in the general election by just over 3%.[5]

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Kasten (Incumbent) 754,573 50.9%
Democratic Ed Garvey 702,963 47.4%
Majority 51,610 3.5%
Turnout 1,457,536
Republican hold

See also

References

  1. 1 2 The Conservative Party and Right to Life Party in New York endorsed Al D'Amato, but the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives did not tabulate their votes, totaling 347,487, into the national Republican total.[1]
  2. Appointee defeated
  3. Georgia was the "tipping-point state".
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (1987). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 1986" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.
  2. "Our Campaigns - AL US Senate - D Primary Race - Jun 03, 1986". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
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  • State Election Commission (1987). South Carolina Election Commission Annual Report 1986-1987. Columbia, SC. pp. 14, 22.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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