The 1986 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate in the middle of Ronald Reagan's second presidential term. The Republicans had to defend an unusually large number of freshman Senate incumbents who had been elected on President Ronald Reagan's coattails in 1980. Democrats won a net of eight seats, defeating seven freshman incumbents and regaining control of the Senate for the first time since January 1981. The party not controlling the presidency gained seats, as usually occurs in mid-term elections.
The Illinois gubernatorial election of 2006 occurred on November 7, 2006. The Governor of Illinois, Democrat Rod Blagojevich, won re-election for a four-year term scheduled to have ended on January 10, 2011. However, Blagojevich was impeached and convicted in 2009. Many observers expected the race to be close, especially considering the polling, which has shown Governor Blagojevich had a high disapproval rating. However, the Republicans had fared poorly in elections since 2002 due to scandals involving prior Governor George Ryan, and the increasingly unpopular presidency of George W. Bush.
The 1986 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. Carroll A. Campbell, Jr., a Republican representative of the 4th congressional district, narrowly defeated Democrat Michael R. Daniel to become the 112th governor of South Carolina and only the second Republican governor since Reconstruction.
The 1986 South Carolina United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 4, 1986, to select six Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. The primary elections for the Democrats and the Republicans were held on June 10 and the runoff elections were held two weeks later on June 24. All four incumbents who ran were re-elected and the Democrats picked up one of the two open seats vacated by the Republicans. The composition of the state delegation after the elections was four Democrats and two Republicans.
The 2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002 to select the Governor of Hawaii. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Hawaii Ben Cayetano was term-limited and therefore could not run for re-election. Former Maui Mayor Linda Lingle, who had narrowly lost the 1998 election, was nominated once again by the Republicans while Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono earned the Democratic nomination in a tightly fought race. Lingle and Hirono duked it out in a toughly-fought campaign, with Hirono's campaign crippled by allegations of corruption within the Hawaii Democratic Party and many voters desiring a change. Ultimately, Lingle won out over Hirono in one of the state's closest gubernatorial elections, allowing her to become the first Republican Governor of Hawaii since 1962 and the state's first female Governor ever.
The 1986 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator James Abdnor ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democrat Tom Daschle.
The Michigan gubernatorial election of 1986 was held on November 4.
The 1986 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic Governor Joseph Brennan was term limited and unable to seek re-election. First district Congressman John McKernan defeated Democratic Party challenger James Tierney as well as former Republican turned Independent Sherry Huber and former Portland, Maine city manager John Menario, making McKernan the first Republican to win The Blaine House since 1968.
The 1990 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1990. Incumbent Democrat Madeleine M. Kunin did not seek re-election. Former Governor of Vermont, Republican Richard Snelling defeated Democratic State Senator Peter Welch in the general election.
The 1990 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1990, for the open seat of Governor of Alaska. In 1989, incumbent Governor Steve Cowper, a Democrat, had announced that he would not seek re-election for a second term.
The 1986 United States Senate election in Florida took place on November 4, 1986 alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Paula Hawkins decided to run for re-election to second term, but lost to Democrat Bob Graham, the popular incumbent Governor of Florida.
The 1986 United States Senate election in Arkansas was held November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Dale Bumpers won re-election to a third term.
The 1986 United States Senate election in Idaho took place on November 4, 1986 alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Steve Symms won re-election to a second term.
The 1986 United States Senate election in New Hampshire was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Warren Rudman won re-election to a second term.
The 1986 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986 to elect the Governor of Texas. The election was a rematch of the 1982 election, with incumbent Democratic Governor Mark White running for re-election against former Republican Governor Bill Clements. Clements was elected to a second, non-consecutive term as governor, winning 53% of the vote to White's 46%.
The 2014 California gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Governor of California, concurrently with elections for the rest of California's executive branch, as well as elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
The 1986 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986, for the post of Governor of Alaska. Incumbent Governor Bill Sheffield, a Democrat who was seeking re-election, was defeated by Steve Cowper in the Democratic primary election on August 26, 1986.
The Arkansas gubernatorial election of 1986 was conducted on November 4, 1986, to elect the Governor of Arkansas.
The Nevada gubernatorial election of 1986 occurred on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic governor Richard Bryan won re-election to a second term as Governor of Nevada, defeating Republican candidate Patty Cafferata.
The Vermont gubernatorial election of 1986 took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democrat Madeleine M. Kunin ran successfully for re-election to a second term as Governor of Vermont, defeating Republican candidate Peter Plympton Smith and independent candidate Bernie Sanders. Since no candidate won a majority of the popular vote, Kunin was elected by the Vermont General Assembly per the state constitution.
