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1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election

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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.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Sullivan 29,266 70.92%
Democratic Pat McGuire 5,406 13.10%
Democratic Keith Goodenough 4,039 9.79%
Democratic Al Hamburg 2,554 6.19%
Total votes 41,265 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pete Simpson 25,948 27.58%
Republican Bill Budd 25,495 27.10%
Republican Fred Schroeder 15,013 15.96%
Republican Russ Donley 12,979 13.80%
Republican David R. Nicholas 11,092 11.79%
Republican John R. Johnson 3,139 3.34%
Republican Jim Bace 402 0.43%
Total votes 94,068 100.00%

Results

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Sullivan spent $102,219 during the primary and $150,000 in the general election compared to Simpson spending around $300,000 in the primary and $200,000 in the general election.[7]

1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mike Sullivan 88,879 53.96% −9.18%
Republican Pete Simpson 75,841 46.04% +9.18%
Majority 13,038 7.92% −18.37%
Turnout 164,720
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jim Bace joints tight GOP race". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. March 11, 1986. p. B1.
  2. ^ a b c d Melnykovych, Andrew (March 21, 1986). "Sullivan announces candidacy". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. p. A1, A2.
  3. ^ a b c Thomson, Thyra (1987). 1987 Wyoming Official Directory and 1986 Election Returns. pp. 162, 275–76.
  4. ^ Melnykovych, Andrew (January 16, 1986). "Bill Budd announces candidacy". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. p. A1, A16.
  5. ^ a b "GOP gubernatorial race candidates: Wyoming economy tops issue list". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. December 7, 1985. p. B1.
  6. ^ a b "Donley makes race for governor formal today". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. March 20, 1986. p. A3.
  7. ^ "Mead campaign has spent $280,000". Casper Star-Tribune. June 13, 1990. p. A1. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.