1986 Florida gubernatorial election

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1986 Florida gubernatorial election
Flag of Florida.svg
←  1982 November 4, 1986 1990  →
  Bob Martinez 3x4 crop.jpg Steve Pajcic.jpg
Nominee Bob Martinez Steve Pajcic
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Bobby Brantley Franklin B. Mann
Popular vote1,847,5251,538,620
Percentage54.6%45.4%
1986 Florida gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
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 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.

Contents

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 .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Pajcic 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Smith 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 1986 Florida Gubernatorial Democratic Primary Runoff by county.svg
Democratic Primary Runoff by county
  Pajcic
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  Smith
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%

Candidates

Democratic primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Steve Pajcic 360,900 35.89%
Democratic James C. Smith 309,908 30.82%
Democratic Harry Johnston 257,90625.65%
Democratic Mark Kane Goldstein54,0605.38%
Democratic Joan L. Wollin22,6912.26%
Total votes1,005,465 100.00%
Democratic primary runoff results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Steve Pajcic 429,527 50.64%
Democratic James C. Smith 418,61449.36%
Total votes848,041 100.00%

Republican nomination

Republican Primary Runoff by county Martinez 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Frey 50-60% 60-70% 1986 Florida Gubernatorial Republican Primary Runoff by county.svg
Republican Primary Runoff by county
  Martinez
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  Frey
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%

Candidates

Withdrew

Declined

Republican primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Bob Martinez 244,417 43.80%
Republican Louis Frey Jr. 137,967 24.72%
Republican Tom Gallagher 131,26523.52%
Republican Chester Clem 44,4097.96%
Total votes558,058 100.00%
Republican primary runoff results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Bob Martinez 259,333 66.33%
Republican Louis Frey Jr. 131,65233.67%
Total votes390,985 100.00%

General election

Bob Martinez and Steve Pajcic wish each other luck before their gubernatorial debate Pajcic and Martinez.jpg
Bob Martinez and Steve Pajcic wish each other luck before their gubernatorial debate
Florida gubernatorial election, 1986 [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Bob Martinez 1,847,525 54.56% +19.26
Democratic Steve Pajcic 1,538,62045.44%−19.26
Write-in 270.00N/A
Majority 308,9059.12−20.28
Turnout 3,386,172100.00%N/A
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

References

  1. 1 2 Blanton, Donna (August 31, 1986). "DEMOCRATS WAGE A 'BIZARRE' BATTLE". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Florida Department of State - Election Results".
  3. 1 2 "Florida Department of State - Election Results".
  4. ↑ Bennett, George. "Dr. William 'Doc' Myers, longtime legislator for the Treasure Coast, dead at 79". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Florida Department of State - Election Results". doe.dos.state.fl.us. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011.
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