1986 United States Senate election in Idaho

1986 United States Senate election in Idaho

November 4, 1986

Nominee Steve Symms John V. Evans Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 196,958 185,066 Percentage 51.56% 48.44%

County results Symms:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Evans:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Steve Symms Republican Elected U.S. Senator Steve Symms Republican

The 1986 United States Senate election in Idaho took place on November 4, 1986, alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Steve Symms narrowly won re-election to a second term. As of 2024, this is the last time that a U.S. Senate race in Idaho was decided by a single-digit margin. This was the first time since 1926 that an incumbent Republican Senator was re-elected to this seat.

Candidates

Democratic

• John V. Evans, Governor

Republican

• Steve Symms, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Steve Symms (incumbent)	196,958	51.56%	+1.81%
	Democratic	John V. Evans	185,066	48.44%	−0.33%
Majority			11,892	3.11%	+2.14%
Turnout			382,024		−13.11%
	Republican hold

See also

• 1986 United States Senate elections