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%

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.

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 for either major party for Governor of Michigan.[citation needed]

Blanchard was re-elected, winning the election with 68.1% of the vote.[2]

This was the last election that resulted in a male Democrat being 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.

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