1986 United States Senate election in Colorado

The 1986 United States Senate election in Colorado was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Gary Hart decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Democratic nominee Tim Wirth won the open seat.

1986 United States Senate election in Colorado

November 4, 1986

Nominee Tim Wirth Ken Kramer Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 529,449 512,994 Percentage 49.91% 48.36%

County results Wirth:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Kramer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Gary Hart Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Tim Wirth Democratic

General election

Candidates

• Michael Martin Bush (Independent)
• Michael R. Chamberlain (Socialist Workers)
• Calvin G. Dodge (Prohibition)
• Ken Kramer, U.S. Representative from Colorado Springs (Republican)
• Henry John Olshaw (American Independent)
• Tim Wirth, U.S. Representative from Boulder (Democratic)

Results

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Tim Wirth	529,449	49.91%	−0.42%
	Republican	Ken Kramer	512,994	48.36%	−0.34%
	Independent	Michael Martin Bush	11,127	1.05%
	Socialist Workers	Michael R. Chamberlain	3,756	0.35%
	Independent American	Henry John Olshaw	1,868	0.18%	−0.17%
	Prohibition	Calvin G. Dodge	1,571	0.15%
Majority			16,455	1.55%	−0.09%
Turnout			1,060,765
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1986 United States Senate elections