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.

The election was the first state gubernatorial election in U.S. history where the candidates of both major national parties were women.Knudson, Thomas J. "Nebraska, in new page to history, installs woman". New York Times. 1987-01-09. Retrieved 2017-09-17. Orr was the first woman elected governor of a Midwestern state.

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, member of the Nebraska Legislature Robert J. Prokop

Results

Lieutenant governor

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

Results

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 Orr, Nebraska State Treasurer Paul A. Rosberg Everett Sileven Monte Taylor Roger Yant

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates Richard J. Mathews, retired Air Force officer from Bellevue, Nebraska 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 Bill Nichol, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature since 1983 and member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 48 since 1975 from Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

Results

General election

Results

By County

CountyPersonDemocraticPersonRepublicanVarious candidatesOther partiesMarginTotalvotes#%#%#%#%Adams CountyAntelope CountyArthur CountyBanner CountyBlaine CountyBoone CountyBox Butte CountyBoyd CountyBrown CountyBuffalo CountyBurt CountyButler CountyCass CountyCedar CountyChase CountyCherry CountyCheyenne CountyClay CountyColfax CountyCuming CountyCuster CountyDakota CountyDawes CountyDawson CountyDeuel CountyDixon CountyDodge CountyDouglas CountyDundy CountyFillmore CountyFranklin CountyFrontier CountyFurnas CountyGage CountyGarden CountyGarfield CountyGosper CountyGrant CountyGreeley CountyHall CountyHamilton CountyHayes CountyHitchcock CountyHolt CountyHooker CountyHoward CountyJefferson CountyJohnson CountyKearney CountyKeith CountyKeya Paha CountyKimball CountyKnox CountyLancaster CountyLincoln CountyLogan CountyLoup CountyMadison CountyMcPherson CountyMerrick CountyMorrill CountyNance CountyNance CountyNemaha CountyNuckolls CountyOtoe CountyPawnee CountyPerkins CountyPhelps CountyPierce CountyPlatte CountyPolk CountyRed Willow CountyRichardson CountyRock CountySaline CountySarpy CountySaunders CountyScotts Bluff CountySeward CountySheridan CountySioux CountyStanton CountyThayer CountyStanton CountyThurston CountyValley CountyWashington CountyWayne CountyWebster CountyWheeler CountyYork County Totals

References