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.
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]
