1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election

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1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election
Flag of Nebraska.svg
  1982 November 4, 1986 1990  
  Kay A. Orr.jpg Helen Boosalis.jpg
Nominee Kay Orr Helen Boosalis
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Bill Nichol Donald McGinley
Popular vote298,325265,156
Percentage52.9%47.0%

1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
Orr:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%
Boosalis:     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election

Bob Kerrey
Democratic

Elected Governor

Kay Orr
Republican

The 1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, and featured state Treasurer Kay Orr, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, former Mayor of Lincoln Helen Boosalis. Incumbent Democratic governor Bob Kerrey did not seek a second term.

Contents

The election was the first state gubernatorial election in U.S. history where the candidates of both major national parties were women. [1]

Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates

Results

Democratic gubernatorial primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Helen Boosalis 63,833 44.01
Democratic David Domina 37,97526.18
Democratic Chris Beutler 31,60521.79
Democratic Robert J. Prokop5,1603.56
Democratic Marge Higgins4,4333.06
Democratic Barton E. Chandler1,2600.87
Democratic Mina B. Dillingham4020.28
Democratic Write-in3690.25

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Results

Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Donald F. McGinley (incumbent) 76,602 62.65
Democratic Ken L. Michaelis23,64619.34
Democratic Rachel Hepburn21,82217.85
Democratic Write-in1930.16

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

Results

Republican gubernatorial primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Kay A. Orr 75,914 39.41
Republican Kermit Brashear 60,30831.30
Republican Nancy Hoch42,64922.14
Republican Everett Sileven4,2812.22
Republican Paul A. Rosberg4,2802.22
Republican Monte Taylor3,2761.70
Republican Roger Yant6820.35
Republican Chuck Loos6580.34
Republican Write-in6010.31

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Results

Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Bill Nichol 80,621 52.12
Republican Randy Moody38,16024.67
Republican Richard J. Mathews35,65623.05
Republican Write-in2600.17

General election

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1986 [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Kay A. Orr 298,325 52.86%
Democratic Helen Boosalis 265,15646.98%
Write-inOthers9410.17%
Total votes564,442 100.0%
Republican gain from Democratic

References

  1. Knudson, Thomas J. "Nebraska, in new page to history, installs woman". New York Times. 1987-01-09. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska - Primary Election, May 13, 1986 & General Election, November 4, 1986" (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State.
  3. "Lt. governor has opponent in Hepburn". Lincoln Journal Star. March 14, 1986. p. 20. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  4. "2 Demos want to be lieutenant governor: Rachel Hepburn is pulling out of race". Lincoln Journal Star. April 25, 1986. p. 12. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. "Ken Michaelis Files For Lt. Governor". Omaha World-Herald. March 11, 1986. p. 33. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  6. "Richard Mathews Files for Lt. Governor". Omaha World-Herald. March 14, 1986. p. 36. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  7. Rich Laden (January 31, 1986). "Randy Moody GOP Candidate For Lt. Gov". Omaha World-Herald. p. 13. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. State of Nebraska, 2020-21 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), pp. 317–378, retrieved June 22, 2023