1986 Michigan gubernatorial election
The 1986 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 4.
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 County results Blanchard: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Lucas: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Michigan |
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The primary elections occurred on August 6, 1986.[1] 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 for either major party for Governor of Michigan.
Blanchard was re-elected, winning the election with 68.1% of the vote.[2]
As of 2023, this was the last time a Democrat won Livingston County in a gubernatorial election, as well as the last time a male Democrat was elected Governor of Michigan. This was the last time Kent County, home to Michigan's second largest city, Grand Rapids, voted for a Democratic governor until Gretchen Whitmer won it in 2018.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- James J. Blanchard, incumbent Governor of Michigan
- Henry Wilson
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Blanchard (incumbent) | 428,125 | 93.66 | |
| Democratic | Henry Wilson | 28,940 | 6.33 | |
| Democratic | Write-ins | 22 | 0.01 | |
| Total votes | 457,087 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Dick Chrysler, automotive businessman
- Colleen Engler, State Representative from Bay City
- William Lucas, Wayne County Executive
- Dan Murphy
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William Lucas | 259,153 | 44.50 | |
| Republican | Dick Chrysler | 198,174 | 34.03 | |
| Republican | Colleen Engler | 63,927 | 10.98 | |
| Republican | Dan Murphy | 61,073 | 10.49 | |
| Republican | Write-ins | 10 | 0.00 | |
| Total votes | 582,337 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Blanchard (incumbent) | 1,632,138 | 68.10 | |
| Republican | William Lucas | 753,647 | 31.45 | |
| Workers League | Martin P. McLaughlin | 9,477 | 0.40 | |
| Write-ins | 1,302 | 0.05 | ||
| Majority | 2,396,564 | |||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- Michigan (1989). Michigan manual. 1987/1988 – via HathiTrust.
- Parker, Randy; RBH (June 14, 2009). "Our Campaigns: MI U.S. Senate". Our Campaigns.