1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election

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.

The election was the first state gubernatorial election in U.S. history where the candidates of both major national parties were women. Orr was the first woman elected governor of a Midwestern state.

Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates

• Chris Beutler, member of the Nebraska Legislature
• Helen Boosalis, former mayor of Lincoln and Director of the Nebraska Department of Aging
• Barton E. Chandler
• Mina B. Dillingham
• David Domina, attorney
• Marge Higgins
• Robert J. Prokop

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Rachel Hepburn, director of social services and public relations at O.U.R. Homes from Lincoln, Nebraska, who withdrew from the race in April 1986
• Donald F. McGinley, incumbent Nebraska Lieutenant Governor
• Ken L. Michaelis, disbarred attorney from West Point, Nebraska

Results

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

• Kermit Brashear, attorney and former chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party
• Nancy Hoch, businesswoman and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1984
• Chuck Loos
• Kay A. Orr, Nebraska State Treasurer
• Paul A. Rosberg
• Everett Sileven
• Monte Taylor
• Roger Yant

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Richard J. Mathews, retired Air Force officer from Bellevue, Nebraska
• Randy Moody, lobbyist, former Lancaster County Republican chairman, and former aide to Rep. John Y. McCollister, Sen. Roman Hruska, Rep. Virginia D. Smith, and Gov. Charles Thone from Lincoln, Nebraska
• Bill Nichol, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature since 1983 and member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 48 since 1975 from Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

Results

General election

Results

By County

References