1986 Florida gubernatorial election

The 1986 Florida gubernatorial election took place alongside the midterm congressional elections. The Democratic Party won many victories across the country (including retaking the Senate). However, in Florida, where Democrats gained the Senate seat from Republicans, they lost the Governorship for just the second time since Reconstruction.

1986 Florida gubernatorial election

← 1982November 4, 19861990 →
 
NomineeBob MartinezSteve Pajcic
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Running mateBobby BrantleyFranklin B. Mann
Popular vote1,847,5251,538,620
Percentage54.6%45.4%

County results

Martinez:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Pajcic:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Bob Graham
Democratic

Elected Governor

Bob Martinez
Republican

The primaries took place on September 2, the runoffs on September 30, and the general election on November 4, 1986. This was the last time Republicans won Palm Beach County until 2022, and the last time that Democrats won Duval County until 2018.

Democratic nomination edit

Democratic Primary Runoff by county
  Pajcic
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  Smith
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%

Candidates edit

Democratic primary results[2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticSteve Pajcic 360,900 35.89%
DemocraticJames C. Smith 309,908 30.82%
DemocraticHarry Johnston257,90625.65%
DemocraticMark Kane Goldstein54,0605.38%
DemocraticJoan L. Wollin22,6912.26%
Total votes1,005,465 100.00%
Democratic primary runoff results[3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticSteve Pajcic 429,527 50.64%
DemocraticJames C. Smith418,61449.36%
Total votes848,041 100.00%

Republican nomination edit

Republican Primary Runoff by county
  Martinez
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  Frey
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%

Candidates edit

Republican primary results[2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanBob Martinez 244,417 43.80%
RepublicanLouis Frey Jr. 137,967 24.72%
RepublicanTom Gallagher131,26523.52%
RepublicanChester Clem44,4097.96%
Total votes558,058 100.00%
Republican primary runoff results[3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanBob Martinez 259,333 66.33%
RepublicanLouis Frey Jr.131,65233.67%
Total votes390,985 100.00%

General election edit

Bob Martinez and Steve Pajcic wish each other luck before their gubernatorial debate
Florida gubernatorial election, 1986[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanBob Martinez 1,847,525 54.56% +19.26
DemocraticSteve Pajcic1,538,62045.44%-19.26
Write-in270.00N/A
Majority308,9059.12-20.28
Turnout3,386,172100.00%N/A
Republican gain from DemocraticSwing

References edit