# 1986 Michigan gubernatorial election

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vte :
The 1986 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 4.
The primary elections occurred on August 6, 1986. The Democrats nominated incumbent governor James Blanchard. The Republicans nominated Wayne County executive William Lucas, who made history by being the first African-American nominee by either major party for Governor of Michigan.
Blanchard was re-elected by a landslide, winning the election with 68.1% of the vote.
This was the most recent election in which a male Democrat was elected governor of Michigan. As of the 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election, this is the last election in which the Democratic candidate won Allegan, Antrim, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Hillsdale, Huron, Kalkaska, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Mecosta, Missaukee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Sanilac, and Wexford counties. This was the last time Kent County, home to Michigan's second largest city, Grand Rapids, voted for a Democratic governor until Gretchen Whitmer won it in 2018.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* James J. Blanchard, incumbent governor of Michigan
* Henry Wilson

### Results

Michigan gubernatorial Democratic primary, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James Blanchard (incumbent) | 428,125 | 93.66 |
| | Democratic | Henry Wilson | 28,940 | 6.33 |
| | Democratic | Write-ins | 22 | 0.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 457,087 | 100.00 |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Dick Chrysler, automotive businessman
* Colleen Engler, state representative from Bay City
* William Lucas, Wayne County Executive
* Dan Murphy

### Results

Michigan gubernatorial Republican primary, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William Lucas | 259,153 | 44.50 |
| | Republican | Dick Chrysler | 198,174 | 34.03 |
| | Republican | Colleen Engler | 63,927 | 10.98 |
| | Republican | Dan Murphy | 61,073 | 10.49 |
| | Republican | Write-ins | 10 | 0.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 582,337 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Results

Michigan gubernatorial election, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James Blanchard (incumbent) | 1,632,138 | 68.10 |
| | Republican | William Lucas | 753,647 | 31.45 |
| | Workers League | Martin P. McLaughlin | 9,477 | 0.40 |
| | Write-ins | | 1,302 | 0.05 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,396,564 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |