1986 Michigan gubernatorial election

1986 Michigan gubernatorial election

←  1982 November 4, 1986 1990  →

Nominee James Blanchard William Lucas Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,632,138 753,647 Percentage 68.10% 31.45%

County results Municipality results Blanchard:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Lucas:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Governor before election James Blanchard Democratic Elected Governor James Blanchard Democratic

The 1986 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. 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 by either major party for Governor of Michigan. Blanchard was re-elected by a landslide, winning the election with 68.1% of the vote, carrying every county and in the state except for Ottawa County. ^[2]

This was the most recent election in which a male Democrat was 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

• James J. Blanchard, incumbent governor of Michigan
• Henry Wilson

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

• Dick Chrysler, automotive businessman
• Colleen Engler, state representative from Bay City
• William Lucas, Wayne County Executive
• Dan Murphy

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