1986 New York gubernatorial election

The 1986 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York. Incumbent Democratic governor Mario Cuomo defeated Republican Andrew O'Rourke, the County Executive of Westchester County in a landslide. Cuomo carried all but 5 counties.

1986 New York gubernatorial election

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →
 
Nominee Mario Cuomo Andrew O'Rourke
Party Democratic Republican
Alliance Liberal Conservative
Running mate Stan Lundine E. Michael Kavanagh
Popular vote 2,775,045 1,363,968
Percentage 64.63% 31.77%

County results
Cuomo:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
O'Rourke:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Mario Cuomo
Democratic

Elected Governor

Mario Cuomo
Democratic

Republican nomination

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Candidates

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Declined

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Lewis Lehrman, the 1982 Republican nominee for governor, decided early on not to mount another candidacy versus Cuomo. Lehrman's decision to forgo a candidacy was seen as a blow to state Republican leaders, given his strong performance in 1982 and wide fundraising capacity.[2] Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger considered running for governor and was deemed an "able" challenger,[4] and decision to ultimately pass on a candidacy also led to a leadership vacuum.[1]

In the end, O'Rourke secured the Republican nomination, and was praised as an "extremely credible candidate" by White House official Bill Lacy.[1] His running mate was E. Michael Kavanagh, who served as District Attorney of Ulster County.[5]

Results

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New York gubernatorial election, 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mario Cuomo 2,654,754 61.83%
Liberal Mario Cuomo 120,291 2.80%
Total Mario Cuomo (incumbent) 2,775,045 64.63% +13.72%
Republican Andrew O'Rourke 1,211,662 28.22%
Conservative Andrew O'Rourke 152,306 3.55%
Total Andrew O'Rourke 1,363,968 31.77% −15.71%
Right to Life Denis Dillon 130,827 3.05% +2.05%
New Alliance Lenora Fulani 24,135 0.56% +0.46%
Majority 1,411,077 32.86% +29.43%
Turnout 4,293,975
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ a b c Lynn, Frank (March 9, 1986). "O'ROURKE FAVORED FOR ALBANY RACE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Lynn, Frank (November 12, 1985). "LEHRMAN SAYS HE WON'T RUN IN RACE FOR GOVERNOR IN 1986". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  3. ^ Pérez-Peña, Richard (June 4, 2014). "Roy Goodman, Liberal Republican Stalwart in New York, Dies at 84". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  4. ^ Schmalz, Jeffrey (February 1, 1986). "KISSINGER IS CALLED ABLE AS A CUOMO CHALLENGER". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  5. ^ Lynn, Frank (October 14, 1986). "KAVANAGH IS PONDERING LIFE BEYOND ELECTION DAY". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 14, 2021.