1986 Maine gubernatorial election

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1986 Maine gubernatorial election
Flag of Maine.svg
  1982 November 4, 1986 1990  
  Governor John McKernan official portrait (cropped).jpg James Tierney (attorney).png
Nominee John McKernan James Tierney
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote170,312128,744
Percentage39.9%30.2%

 
Nominee Sherry Huber John Menario
Party Independent Independent
Popular vote64,31763,474
Percentage15.1%14.9%

1986 Maine Gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
McKernan:     30–40%     40–50%
Tierney:     30–40%

Governor before election

Joseph Brennan
Democratic

Elected Governor

John McKernan
Republican

The 1986 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic Governor Joseph Brennan was term limited and ineligible to seek re-election. First district Congressman John McKernan defeated Democratic Party challenger James Tierney as well as former Republican turned Independent Sherry Huber and former Portland, Maine, city manager John Menario, making McKernan the first Republican to win The Blaine House since 1962. William Diamond unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination.

Contents

The three main issues during the campaign were: the future of the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Wiscasset, economic development and McKernan's congressional record. [1]

Maine Yankee

The future of the Power Plant had been placed up for statewide referendum in 1980 and again in 1982. McKernan and Menario opposed the closure of Maine Yankee, while Tierney and Huber supported the efforts to close the Plant in 1988. [1]

General election

Candidates

Results

1986 Gubernatorial Election, Maine [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican John R. McKernan Jr. 170,312 39.90% -
Democratic James Tierney 128,74430.16%-
Independent Sherry Huber 64,31715.07%-
Independent John Menario 63,47414.87%-
Majority41,5689.74%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

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References

  1. 1 2 Mothes, J. Barry (October 31, 1986). "Three issues have hung in there all the way". Sun Journal . p. A8. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  2. Guide to US Elections, Fifth Edition, Volume II . CQ Press. 2005. pp.  1497–1499. ISBN   978-1-56802-981-8 . Retrieved May 6, 2009.