# 1986 Massachusetts elections

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2020: pending :
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Massachusetts portal :
vte :
A Massachusetts general election was held on November 4, 1986 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The election included:
* statewide elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, Secretary of the Commonwealth, treasurer, and auditor;
* district elections for U.S. Representatives, State Representatives, State Senators, and Governor's Councillors; and
* ballot questions at the state and local levels.
Democratic and Republican candidates were selected in party primaries held September 16, 1986.

## Governor and lieutenant governor

Democrats Michael Dukakis and Evelyn Murphy were elected governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, over Republican candidates George Kariotis and Nicholas Nikitas. Dukakis' victory made him the longest-serving governor in the history of Massachusetts.

## Attorney general

Democrat James Shannon was elected attorney general. He defeated former assistant attorney general Joann Shotwell in the Democratic primary and U.S. Attorney Edward Francis Harrington in the general election.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* James Shannon, former U.S. Representative from Lowell and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1984
* Joann Shotwell, former Assistant Attorney General

#### Results

Massachusetts Attorney Democratic Primary, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James Shannon | 402,744 | 68.12% |
| | Democratic | Joann Shotwell | 188,404 | 31.87% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 41 | 0.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 591,189 | 100.00% |

### General election
#### Candidates

* Edward Francis Harrington, former Democratic U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts (Republican)
* James Shannon, former U.S. Representative from Lowell and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1984 (Democratic)

#### Results

Massachusetts Attorney General Election, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | James Shannon | 900,088 | 54.65% | 33.60 |
| | Republican | Edward Francis Harrington | 746,791 | 45.34% | 26.45 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 136 | 0.01% | 0.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,647,015 | 100.00% |

## Secretary of the Commonwealth

Incumbent Secretary of the Commonwealth Michael J. Connolly defeated former State Representative Deborah R. Cochran in the general election.

### General election
#### Candidates

* Deborah R. Cochran, former State Representative from Dedham (Republican)
* Michael J. Connolly, incumbent Secretary of the Commonwealth (Democratic)

#### Results

Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Election, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Michael J. Connolly (incumbent) | 1,091,441 | 68.01% | 4.61 |
| | Republican | Deborah R. Cochran | 513,455 | 31.99% | 7.79 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 57 | 0.00% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,604,953 | 100.00% |

## Treasurer and Receiver-General

Incumbent Treasurer and Receiver-General Robert Q. Crane defeated Republican L. Joyce Hampers in the general election.

### General election
#### Candidates

* Robert Q. Crane, incumbent Treasurer since 1964 (Democratic)
* L. Joyce Hampers (Republican)

#### Results

Massachusetts Treasurer and Receiver-General Election, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Robert Q. Crane (incumbent) | 931,704 | 57.31% | 13.11 |
| | Republican | L. Joyce Hampers | 693,750 | 41.67% | 15.03 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 403 | 0.03% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,625,857 | 100.00% |

## Auditor

Incumbent Auditor John J. Finnegan did not run for reelection. Democrat A. Joseph DeNucci defeated Boston City Councilors Maura Hennigan and Charles Yancey in the Democratic primary and House Minority Leader William G. Robinson in the general election.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* A. Joseph DeNucci, State Representative from Newton and former professional boxer
* Maura Hennigan, member of the Boston City Council at-large
* Charles Yancey, member of the Boston City Council

#### Results

Massachusetts Auditor Democratic Primary, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | A. Joseph DeNucci | 307,272 | 54.02% |
| | Democratic | Maura Hennigan | 197,113 | 34.66% |
| | Democratic | Charles Yancey | 64,300 | 11.31% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 83 | 0.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 568,685 | 100.00% |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* William G. Robinson, State Representative from Melrose and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives
* Andrew Natsios, State Representative from Holliston and chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party

#### Results

Massachusetts Auditor Republican Primary, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William G. Robinson | 42,794 | 54.53% |
| | Republican | Andrew Natsios | 35,632 | 45.40% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 51 | 0.07% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 78,477 | 100.00% |

### General election

Massachusetts Auditor General Election, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | A. Joseph DeNucci | 1,001,236 | 63.19% | 3.75 |
| | Republican | William G. Robinson | 583,299 | 36.81% | 7.56 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 82 | 0.01% | 0.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,584,617 | 100.00% |

## Ballot questions
### Question 1

Proposed Legislative Amendment to the Constitution - The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the legislature to prohibit or regulate abortions to the extent permitted by the United States Constitution. It would also provide that the state constitution does not require public or private funding of abortions, or the provision of services of facilities for performing abortions, beyond what is required by the United States Constitution. The provisions of this amendment would not apply to abortions required to prevent the death of the mother.
Proposed Legislative Amendment to the Constitution :
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
| | Yes | 689,908 | 41.83% | |
| ✓ | No | 959,311 | 58.17% | |

### Question 2

Proposed Legislative Amendment to the Constitution - The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the expenditure of public funds for private schools and private school students.
Proposed Legislative Amendment to the Constitution :
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
| | Yes | 502,170 | 30.32% | |
| ✓ | No | 1,154,069 | 69.68% | |

### Question 3

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition - The proposed law would reduced then repeal the 71⁄2% surtax on Massachusetts state income taxes and would limit state tax revenue growth to the level of growth in the total wages and salaries of the citizens of the state.
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition :
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
| ✓ | Yes | 863,130 | 54.35% | |
| | No | 724,925 | 45.65% | |

### Question 4

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition - The proposed law would require that the State Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (DEQE) to search for sites in the Commonwealth where oil or hazardous materials have been disposed of and take all steps necessary to clean up those sites within specified time limits. Provisions are made for informing the public about sites in their communities.
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition :
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
| ✓ | Yes | 1,174,676 | 74.38% | |
| | No | 404,521 | 25.62% | |

### Question 5

Referendum on an Existing Law - The law requires all drivers and passengers to wear properly adjusted and fastened safety belts while traveling in motor vehicles on public ways.
Referendum on an Existing Law :
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
| | Yes | 769,806 | 46.31% | |
| ✓ | No | 892,580 | 53.69% | |

### Question 6

Law Proposed by Initiative Petition - The proposed law would provide a system of voter registration by mail applicable to all qualified voters and would eliminate statutory provisions permitting certain persons to vote only for presidential electors.
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition :
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
| | Yes | 603,370 | 38.44% | |
| ✓ | No | 966,229 | 61.56% | |