1986 Arizona gubernatorial election

1986 Arizona gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990–91 →
 
Nominee Evan Mecham Carolyn Warner Bill Schulz
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Popular vote 343,913 298,986 224,085
Percentage 39.67% 34.49% 25.85%

County results
Mecham:      30–40%      40–50%
Warner:      40–50%      60–70%

Governor before election

Bruce Babbitt
Democratic

Elected Governor

Evan Mecham
Republican

The 1986 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986, for the post of Governor of Arizona. Republican Evan Mecham, who defeated Burton Barr for the Republican nomination, defeated the Democratic nominee and State Superintendent Carolyn Warner and independent candidate Bill Schulz.

Mecham's victory in the primary and general elections are considered among the greatest political surprises in Arizona history. Ultimately, Mecham did not complete his full four-year term in office; he was impeached and removed from office in 1988.

This was the first gubernatorial election in which La Paz County participated after separating from Yuma County in between this election and the one just before it.