1986 Michigan gubernatorial election

1986 Michigan gubernatorial election
	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 by a landslide, 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.

Democratic primary

Michigan gubernatorial Democratic primary, 1986^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Blanchard (incumbent)	428,125	93.66
	Democratic	Henry Wilson	28,940	6.33
	Democratic	Write-ins	22	0.01
Total votes			457,087	100.00

Michigan gubernatorial Republican primary, 1986^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Lucas	259,153	44.50
	Republican	Dick Chrysler	198,174	34.03
	Republican	Colleen Engler	63,927	10.98
	Republican	Dan Murphy	61,073	10.49
	Republican	Write-ins	10	0.00
Total votes			582,337	100.00

Michigan gubernatorial election, 1986^[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Blanchard (incumbent)	1,632,138	68.10
	Republican	William Lucas	753,647	31.45
	Workers League	Martin P. McLaughlin	9,477	0.40
	Write-ins		1,302	0.05
Majority			2,396,564
	Democratic hold

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

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