1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election
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 County results Orr: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% Boosalis: 50–60% 60–70% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Nebraska |
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 Government |
The 1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, and featured state Treasurer Kay Orr, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, former Mayor of Lincoln Helen Boosalis. Incumbent Democratic governor Bob Kerrey did not seek a second term.
The election was the first state gubernatorial election in U.S. history where the candidates of both major national parties were women.[1]
Democratic primary
[edit]Governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Chris Beutler, member of the Nebraska Legislature
- Helen Boosalis, former mayor of Lincoln and Director of the Nebraska Department of Aging
- Barton E. Chandler
- Mina B. Dillingham
- David Domina, attorney
- Marge Higgins
- Robert J. Prokop
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Helen Boosalis | 63,833 | 44.01 | |
| Democratic | David Domina | 37,975 | 26.18 | |
| Democratic | Chris Beutler | 31,605 | 21.79 | |
| Democratic | Robert J. Prokop | 5,160 | 3.56 | |
| Democratic | Marge Higgins | 4,433 | 3.06 | |
| Democratic | Barton E. Chandler | 1,260 | 0.87 | |
| Democratic | Mina B. Dillingham | 402 | 0.28 | |
| Democratic | Write-in | 369 | 0.25 | |
Lieutenant governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Rachel Hepburn, director of social services and public relations at O.U.R. Homes from Lincoln, Nebraska,[3] who withdrew from the race in April 1986[4]
- Donald F. McGinley, incumbent Nebraska Lieutenant Governor
- Ken L. Michaelis, disbarred attorney from West Point, Nebraska[5]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Donald F. McGinley (incumbent) | 76,602 | 62.65 | |
| Democratic | Ken L. Michaelis | 23,646 | 19.34 | |
| Democratic | Rachel Hepburn | 21,822 | 17.85 | |
| Democratic | Write-in | 193 | 0.16 | |
Republican primary
[edit]Governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Kermit Brashear, attorney and former chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party
- Nancy Hoch, businesswoman and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1984
- Chuck Loos
- Kay A. Orr, Nebraska State Treasurer
- Paul A. Rosberg
- Everett Sileven
- Monte Taylor
- Roger Yant
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kay A. Orr | 75,914 | 39.41 | |
| Republican | Kermit Brashear | 60,308 | 31.30 | |
| Republican | Nancy Hoch | 42,649 | 22.14 | |
| Republican | Everett Sileven | 4,281 | 2.22 | |
| Republican | Paul A. Rosberg | 4,280 | 2.22 | |
| Republican | Monte Taylor | 3,276 | 1.70 | |
| Republican | Roger Yant | 682 | 0.35 | |
| Republican | Chuck Loos | 658 | 0.34 | |
| Republican | Write-in | 601 | 0.31 | |
Lieutenant governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Richard J. Mathews, retired Air Force officer from Bellevue, Nebraska[6]
- Randy Moody, lobbyist, former Lancaster County Republican chairman, and former aide to Rep. John Y. McCollister, Sen. Roman Hruska, Rep. Virginia D. Smith, and Gov. Charles Thone from Lincoln, Nebraska[7]
- Bill Nichol, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature since 1983 and member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 48 since 1975 from Scottsbluff, Nebraska.[8]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bill Nichol | 80,621 | 52.12 | |
| Republican | Randy Moody | 38,160 | 24.67 | |
| Republican | Richard J. Mathews | 35,656 | 23.05 | |
| Republican | Write-in | 260 | 0.17 | |
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kay A. Orr | 298,325 | 52.86% | |
| Democratic | Helen Boosalis | 265,156 | 46.98% | |
| Write-in | Others | 941 | 0.17% | |
| Total votes | 564,442 | 100.0% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
References
[edit]- ^ Knudson, Thomas J. "Nebraska, in new page to history, installs woman". New York Times. 1987-01-09. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- ^ a b c d e "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska - Primary Election, May 13, 1986 & General Election, November 4, 1986" (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State.
- ^ "Lt. governor has opponent in Hepburn". Lincoln Journal Star. March 14, 1986. p. 20. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "2 Demos want to be lieutenant governor: Rachel Hepburn is pulling out of race". Lincoln Journal Star. April 25, 1986. p. 12. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "Ken Michaelis Files For Lt. Governor". Omaha World-Herald. March 11, 1986. p. 33. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "Richard Mathews Files for Lt. Governor". Omaha World-Herald. March 14, 1986. p. 36. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ Rich Laden (January 31, 1986). "Randy Moody GOP Candidate For Lt. Gov". Omaha World-Herald. p. 13. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ State of Nebraska, 2020-21 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), pp. 317–378, retrieved June 22, 2023
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