1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election

1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →
 
Nominee Mike Sullivan Pete Simpson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 88,879 75,841
Percentage 53.96% 46.04%

County results

Sullivan:      50–60%      60–70%

Simpson:      50–60%

Governor before election

Edgar Herschler
Democratic

Elected Governor

Mike Sullivan
Democratic

The 1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Popular three-term Democratic Governor Edgar Herschler announced that he would not seek a fourth term, creating an open seat.[1] Attorney Mike Sullivan emerged as the unlikely Democratic nominee, and faced former state representative Pete Simpson, the Republican nominee and the brother of then-U.S. senator Alan K. Simpson, in the general election. Despite Sullivan's political inexperience, he was able to defeat Simpson by a decisive margin, winning his first of two terms in office.

  1. ^ "Jim Bace joints tight GOP race". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. March 11, 1986. p. B1.