The 1986 United States Senate special election in North Carolina was held on November 8, 1986 as part of the nationwide elections to the Senate. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Jim Broyhill, who had been appointed in June 1986 to serve out the rest of John Porter East's term, faced off against the popular Democratic former Governor Terry Sanford. This was a special election for what little remained of the 99th United States Congress (November 1986-January 1987), being held contemporaneously with a regular election for a new six-year term (beginning in January 1987).[1] Sanford won both elections.
The primary elections would nominate candidates to the special and the regular election.
Terry Sanford, then the outgoing president of Duke University, first said in September 1985 that he was planning to run for the U.S. Senate the next year but quickly withdrew, as it appeared that the party wanted a "fresh" face, most likely in the person of UNC System President William Friday.[2] Then, Friday declined to run, as did other well-known politicians like former Gov. Jim Hunt.[3] Former North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lauch Faircloth then made it known that he would run, but he was considered too conservative by many party leaders, who encouraged Sanford to enter the race in order to defeat Faircloth.[2] Sanford agreed to run, which led Faircloth and another candidate, Judge Marvin K. Blount Jr., to withdraw before filing their candidacies. Six years later, Faircloth did run for the Senate against Sanford, but this time as a Republican.
Candidates[]
Walt Atkins
William Belk, Belk department store executive and former president of Young Democrats of America[3]
John Ingram, former North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance
Theodore Kinney, real estate agent and African-American political activist[5]
T.L. "Fountain" Odom, Mecklenburg County commissioner and attorney[4] (later a state senator)[6]
Terry Sanford, former Governor
Betty Wallace, educator and deputy superintendent of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction[3][7]
Results[]
1986 North Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary election[8]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Terry Sanford
409,394
60.25%
Democratic
John Ingram
111,557
16.42%
Democratic
49,689
7.31%
Democratic
William Belk
33,821
4.98%
Democratic
Theodore Kinney
27,228
4.01%
Democratic
Betty Wallace
17,001
2.50%
Democratic
Katherine Harper
12,998
1.91%
Democratic
Walt Atkins
8,306
1.22%
Democratic
Others
9,493
1.40%
Turnout
679,487
Republican primary[]
Sen. East declined to run for a second term, citing his health. Longtime U.S. Representative Jim Broyhill entered the race with much of the establishment support, but David Funderburk had the backing of the organization of Senator Jesse Helms.[3] Funderburk charged Broyhill with being insufficiently conservative, but in the end, Broyhill won the nomination handily in the May primary. The next month, Sen. East committed suicide, and Gov. James G. Martin appointed Broyhill to his seat.
Candidates[]
Jim Broyhill, incumbent U.S. Senator and U.S. Congressman
David Funderburk, former U.S. Ambassador to Romania (later a U.S. Congressman)
Glenn Miller, perennial candidate
Results[]
1986 North Carolina U.S. Senate Republican primary election[9]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Jim Broyhill
139,570
66.52%
Republican
David Funderburk
63,593
30.31%
Republican
Glenn Miller
6,662
3.18%
Turnout
148,574
Special election[]
Candidates[]
Jim Broyhill (R), incumbent U.S. Senator and U.S. Congressman
Terry Sanford (D), former Governor
Results[]
1986 North Carolina U.S. Senate election – Special election[10]
