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.
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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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The election was the first state gubernatorial election in U.S. history where the candidates of both major national parties were women.[1]
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |