1986 Florida gubernatorial election

1986 Florida gubernatorial election
	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 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 the just second time since Reconstruction.

The primaries took place on September 2, the runoffs on September 30 and the general election on November 4, 1986.

Democratic nomination[]

Candidates[]

Mark Kane Goldstein, former Mayor of Gainesville^[1]
Harry Johnston, State Senator
Steve Pajcic, State Representative
James C. Smith, Attorney General of Florida
Joan Wollin, attorney^[1]

Democratic primary results^[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Steve Pajcic	360,900	35.89%
	Democratic	James C. Smith	309,908	30.82%
	Democratic	Harry Johnston	257,906	25.65%
	Democratic	Mark Kane Goldstein	54,060	5.38%
	Democratic	Joan L. Wollin	22,691	2.26%
Total votes			1,005,465	100.00%

Democratic primary runoff results^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Steve Pajcic	429,527	50.64%
	Democratic	James C. Smith	418,614	49.36%
Total votes			848,041	100.00%

Republican nomination[]

Candidates[]

Chester Clem, State Representative
Louis Frey Jr., U.S. Representative
Tom Gallagher, State Representative
Bob Martinez, Mayor of Tampa

Republican primary results^[4]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Martinez	244,417	43.80%
	Republican	Louis Frey Jr.	137,967	24.72%
	Republican	Tom Gallagher	131,265	23.52%
	Republican	Chester Clem	44,409	7.96%
Total votes			558,058	100.00%

Republican primary runoff results^[5]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Martinez	259,333	66.33%
	Republican	Louis Frey Jr.	131,652	33.67%
Total votes			390,985	100.00%

General election[]

Florida gubernatorial election, 1986^[6]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bob Martinez	1,847,525	54.56%	+19.26
	Democratic	Steve Pajcic	1,538,620	45.44%	-19.26
	Write-in		27	0.00	N/A
Majority			308,905	9.12	-20.28
Turnout			3,386,172	100.00%	N/A
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

References[]

^ ^a ^b Blanton, Donna (August 31, 1986). "DEMOCRATS WAGE A 'BIZARRE' BATTLE". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results".
^ https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=9/30/1986&DATAMODE=
^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results".
^ https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=9/30/1986&DATAMODE=
^ https://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/4/1986&DATAMODE= Archived 2011-10-03 at the Wayback Machine

[:0-1] Blanton, Donna (August 31, 1986). "DEMOCRATS WAGE A 'BIZARRE' BATTLE". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 13, 2021.

[2] "Florida Department of State - Election Results".

[3] ttps://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=9/30/1986&DATAMODE=

[4] "Florida Department of State - Election Results".

[5] ttps://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=9/30/1986&DATAMODE=

[6] ttps://doe.dos.state.fl.us/elections/resultsarchive/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/4/1986&DATAMODE= Archived 2011-10-03 at the Wayback Machine

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