United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 3, 1987, in three states and one territory. Democrats retained all three seats up for election; although three new people were elected governor.
As of 2025, this is the last time Louisiana, Kentucky and Mississippi all elected Democratic governors simultaneously.
States where the margin of victory was under 10%:
The 1987 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1987. Democratic nominee Wallace Wilkinson defeated Republican nominee John Harper with 64.50% of the vote.
The 1987 Louisiana gubernatorial election was held to elect the governor of Louisiana. Three-term incumbent Democratic governor Edwin Edwards lost re-election to a fourth term, defeated by Democratic congressman Buddy Roemer.
Edwin Edwards defeated Governor Dave Treen in the 1983 election. Edwards was prosecuted as governor by U.S. District Attorney John Volz for selling hospital certificates, but the first trial results in a hung jury before Edwards was acquitted.
Under Louisiana's jungle primary system, all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party, and voters may vote for any candidate, regardless of their party affiliation. On October 24, 1987, Roemer and Edwards took the two highest popular vote counts. As neither took over 50% a runoff was scheduled, but Edwards withdrew, causing the runoff's cancellation.
The 1987 Mississippi gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1987 to elect the governor of Mississippi.