1986 Maryland gubernatorial election
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The 1986 Maryland gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Democratic nominee William Donald Schaefer defeated Republican nominee Thomas J. Mooney with 82.37% of the vote. To date this is the largest percentage total ever for a contested statewide election in Maryland.
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November 4, 1986
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 County results Schaefer: 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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As of November, 2025, this is the last time a candidate from either party carried every county in a gubernatorial election, and the last time the Democratic candidate won a majority of counties in a gubernatorial election. He is also the last Democrat to win the following counties: Garrett, Washington, Carroll, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, and Somerset. Anne Arundel County, Frederick County, Kent County, and Talbot County would not vote Democratic again until 2022.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on September 9, 1986.[1]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- William Donald Schaefer, Mayor of Baltimore
- Stephen H. Sachs, Attorney General of Maryland
- Lawrence K. Freeman
- Mary Fellenbaum Holter
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Donald Schaefer | 395,170 | 61.75 | |
| Democratic | Stephen H. Sachs | 224,755 | 35.12 | |
| Democratic | Lawrence K. Freeman | 14,120 | 2.21 | |
| Democratic | Mary Fellenbaum Holter | 5,919 | 0.93 | |
| Total votes | 639,964 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Candidates
- William Donald Schaefer, Democratic
- Thomas J. Mooney, Fmr State Delegate, Republican
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Donald Schaefer | 907,291 | 82.37% | +20.40% | |
| Republican | Thomas J. Mooney | 194,185 | 17.63% | −20.37% | |
| Majority | 713,106 | 64.74% | +40.77% | ||
| Turnout | 1,101,476 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||