1986 Michigan gubernatorial election
November 4, 1986
 
Nominee James Blanchard William Lucas
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,632,138 753,647
Percentage 68.10% 31.45%
County results
Blanchard:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Lucas:      50–60%
Governor before election

James Blanchard
Democratic

 Elected Governor

James Blanchard
Democratic

The 1986 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 4.

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]

This was the last election that resulted in a male Democrat being elected Governor of Michigan. As of the 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election, this is the last election in which the Democratic candidate won Allegan, Antrim, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Hillsdale, Huron, Kalkaska, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Mecosta, Missaukee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Sanilac, and Wexford counties. 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

Results

Michigan gubernatorial Democratic primary, 1986[1]
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

Results

Michigan gubernatorial Republican primary, 1986[1]
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

Michigan gubernatorial election, 1986[2]
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

  1. 1 2 3 Michigan (1989). Michigan manual. 1987/1988 – via HathiTrust.
  2. 1 2 Parker, Randy; RBH (June 14, 2009). "Our Campaigns: MI U.S. Senate". Our Campaigns.


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