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.

1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee Kay Orr Helen Boosalis Party Republican Democratic Running mate Bill Nichol Donald McGinley Popular vote 298,325 265,156 Percentage 52.9% 47.0%

County results Orr:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Boosalis:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Bob Kerrey Democratic Elected Governor Kay Orr Republican

The election was the first state gubernatorial election in U.S. history where the candidates of both major national parties were women.^[1]

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

Democratic gubernatorial primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Helen Boosalis	63,833	44.01
	Democratic	David Domina	37,975	26.18
	Democratic	Chris Beutler	31,605	21.79
	Democratic	Robert J. Prokop	5,160	3.56
	Democratic	Marge Higgins	4,433	3.06
	Democratic	Barton E. Chandler	1,260	0.87
	Democratic	Mina B. Dillingham	402	0.28
	Democratic	Write-in	369	0.25

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Rachel Hepburn, director of social services and public relations at O.U.R. Homes from Lincoln, Nebraska,^[3] who withdrew from the race in April 1986^[4]
• Donald F. McGinley, incumbent Nebraska Lieutenant Governor
• Ken L. Michaelis, disbarred attorney from West Point, Nebraska^[5]

Results

Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Donald F. McGinley (incumbent)	76,602	62.65
	Democratic	Ken L. Michaelis	23,646	19.34
	Democratic	Rachel Hepburn	21,822	17.85
	Democratic	Write-in	193	0.16

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

Republican gubernatorial primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kay A. Orr	75,914	39.41
	Republican	Kermit Brashear	60,308	31.30
	Republican	Nancy Hoch	42,649	22.14
	Republican	Everett Sileven	4,281	2.22
	Republican	Paul A. Rosberg	4,280	2.22
	Republican	Monte Taylor	3,276	1.70
	Republican	Roger Yant	682	0.35
	Republican	Chuck Loos	658	0.34
	Republican	Write-in	601	0.31

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Richard J. Mathews, retired Air Force officer from Bellevue, Nebraska^[6]
• 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^[7]
• Bill Nichol, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature since 1983 and member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 48 since 1975 from Scottsbluff, Nebraska.^[8]

Results

Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bill Nichol	80,621	52.12
	Republican	Randy Moody	38,160	24.67
	Republican	Richard J. Mathews	35,656	23.05
	Republican	Write-in	260	0.17

General election

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1986^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kay A. Orr	298,325	52.86%
	Democratic	Helen Boosalis	265,156	46.98%
	Write-in	Others	941	0.17%
Total votes			564,442	100.0%
	Republican gain from Democratic

References

1. Knudson, Thomas J. "Nebraska, in new page to history, installs woman". New York Times. 1987-01-09. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
2. "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska - Primary Election, May 13, 1986 & General Election, November 4, 1986" (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State.
3. "Lt. governor has opponent in Hepburn". Lincoln Journal Star. March 14, 1986. p. 20. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
4. "2 Demos want to be lieutenant governor: Rachel Hepburn is pulling out of race". Lincoln Journal Star. April 25, 1986. p. 12. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
5. "Ken Michaelis Files For Lt. Governor". Omaha World-Herald. March 11, 1986. p. 33. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
6. "Richard Mathews Files for Lt. Governor". Omaha World-Herald. March 14, 1986. p. 36. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
7. Rich Laden (January 31, 1986). "Randy Moody GOP Candidate For Lt. Gov". Omaha World-Herald. p. 13. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
8. State of Nebraska, 2020-21 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), pp. 317–378, retrieved June 22, 2023