1986 United States Senate election in Florida
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The 1986 United States Senate election in Florida took place on November 4, 1986, alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Paula Hawkins decided to run for re-election to second term, but was defeated by Democrat Bob Graham, the popular incumbent Governor of Florida. To date, this was the last time an incumbent from Florida's Class 3 Senate seat lost re-election.[1][failed verification]
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November 4, 1986
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 County results Graham: 50–60% 60–70% Hawkins: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Graham received 83% of the black vote.[2]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Bob Graham, 38th Governor of Florida
- Bob Kunst, perennial candidate
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bob Graham | 850,560 | 85.04% | |
| Democratic | Bob Kunst | 149,657 | 14.96% | |
| Total votes | 1,000,217 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Paula Hawkins, incumbent U.S. Senator
- Jon Larsen Shudlick
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paula Hawkins (incumbent) | 491,767 | 88.73% | |
| Republican | Jon Larsen Shudlick | 62,443 | 11.27% | |
| Total votes | 554,210 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Bob Graham (D), 38th Governor of Florida
- Paula Hawkins (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bob Graham | 1,877,543 | 54.74% | +6.40% | |
| Republican | Paula Hawkins (incumbent) | 1,552,376 | 45.26% | −6.40% | |
| Write-in | 77 | 0.00% | N/A | ||
| Total votes | 3,429,996 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||