1986 Alabama gubernatorial election

1986 Alabama gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →
 
Nominee H. Guy Hunt Bill Baxley
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 696,203 537,163
Percentage 56.4% 43.6%

County results
Hunt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Baxley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election

George Wallace
Democratic

Elected Governor

H. Guy Hunt
Republican

The 1986 Alabama gubernatorial election saw the election of Republican H. Guy Hunt over Democrat Bill Baxley. In state politics, this election is largely seen as a realigning election since Hunt was the first Republican to be elected governor in 114 years – the last Republican to be elected was David P. Lewis in 1872 during the Reconstruction era. In March 1986, incumbent George Wallace announced that he would not seek a fifth term as governor, ending an era in Alabama politics.

Though Alabama had supported Republicans in national elections, state and local elections were dominated by Democrats. Therefore many people anticipated that the winner of the Democratic primary would win the election.