1986 United States Senate election in Indiana

Last updated

1986 United States Senate election in Indiana
Flag of Indiana.svg
  1980 November 4, 1986 1990 (special)  
  44 Dan Quayle 3x4.jpg Jill Long Thompson (D-IN) (1).jpg
Nominee Dan Quayle Jill L. Long
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote936,143595,192
Percentage60.57%38.51%

1986 United States Senate election in Indiana results map by county.svg
County results

Quayle:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%

Long:     50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Dan Quayle
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Dan Quayle
Republican

The 1986 United States Senate election in Indiana was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Dan Quayle won re-election to a second term. He served his term until 1989 when he resigned to serve as Vice President.

Contents

Major candidates

Democratic

Republican

General election

Quayle sought reelection facing Democratic challenger Jill Long. [1]

Pundits believed Quayle would easily win reelection. Additionally, Long struggled to fund her campaign raising just over $100,000 to Quayle's $2,200,000. [2] A debate between the pair was held on September 7, 1986. [3]

Minor party candidates were often left out of debates and struggled to gain recognition. [2]

Results

On election day, Quayle was reelected in a landslide. [4]

General election results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dan Quayle (incumbent) 936,143 60.57%
Democratic Jill L. Long 595,19238.51%
Libertarian Bradford Warren8,3140.54%
American Rockland Snyder5,9140.38%
Majority340,95122.06%
Turnout 1,545,563
Republican hold

Aftermath

Due to his and then-Vice President George H.W. Bush's victory in the 1988 presidential election, Quayle resigned from the Senate. Republican Representative Dan Coats of Indiana's 4th congressional district was appointed to fill the vacancy. [5] Coats ran for reelection in the 1990 special election in Indiana winning the remainder of Quayle's term. [6] [7]

See also

References

  1. "'Sen. Goliath' may remain standing". Evansville Press . United Press International. October 28, 1986. p. 17. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "'Sen. Goliath' may remain standing". Evansville Press . United Press International. October 28, 1986. p. 17. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  3. "Quayle-Long debate slated Sunday night on Channel 13". The Anderson Herald . September 4, 1986. p. 23. Retrieved August 28, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Did 1986 election show a trend or just confusion?". The Reporter-Times . United Press International. December 30, 1986. p. 10. Retrieved August 28, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "State Demos cautiously eye '90 Senate race". The Indianapolis Star . December 13, 1988. p. 14. Retrieved September 2, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  6. O'Neill, John R. (November 5, 1990). "Old political foes back home to fight for party". The Indianapolis Star . p. 26. Retrieved September 2, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "At a glance". The Indianapolis Star . November 7, 1990. p. 1. Retrieved September 2, 2025 via Newspapers.com.