1986 Maine gubernatorial election

1986 Maine gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →

Nominee John McKernan James Tierney Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 170,312 128,744 Percentage 39.9% 30.2%   Nominee Sherry Huber John Menario Party Independent Independent Popular vote 64,317 63,474 Percentage 15.1% 14.9%

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.

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]