1986 Michigan gubernatorial election
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Blanchard: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Lucas: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Michigan |
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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.