The 1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Michael Dukakis was elected governor of Massachusetts for a third term. He defeated Republican George Kariotis by a 69–31% margin. This was the last time a Democrat was elected governor of Massachusetts until 2006.

Democratic primary Governor Candidates Michael Dukakis, incumbent governor

Michael Dukakis was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Lieutenant governor Candidates Gerard D'Amico, state senator from Worcester Evelyn Murphy, former secretary of environmental affairs and candidate for lt. governor in 1982

John Kerry, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1982, did not run for reelection, as he had been elected to the United States Senate in 1984.

Results

Republican primary Governor Candidates George Kariotis, businessman and former secretary of economic affairs

Withdrew Greg Hyatt, lawyer and candidate for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district in 1984 Royall H. Switzler, state representative from Wellesley

Eliminated at convention Guy Carbone, former Metropolitan District commissioner

Declined Paul W. Cronin, former U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district Edward J. King, former Democratic governor

Campaign On March 13, Greg Hyatt became the first Republican to enter the gubernatorial race. A self-described "populist conservative", Hyatt supported limiting state taxes, bringing back the death penalty, and competency testing and merit pay for teachers. He opposed the state law that made wearing a seat belt mandatory, the use of roadblocks to crack down on drunken driving, and the use of public funds for abortions.

Shortly before the Republican convention, Boston attorney and former Metropolitan District Commissioner Guy Carbone entered the race.

The convention nomination was won by Royall H. Switzler, a state representative who had been drafted by anti-Hyatt Republicans after former Congressman Paul W. Cronin decided not to enter the race. To receive the endorsement of the party, a candidate must receive the support of 50% of the delegates. Only candidates receiving 15% of the vote or more on any ballot would be eligible for a primary. After a strong showing on the first ballot, some of Hyatt's major supporters, including Ray Shamie and Papa Gino's founder Michael Valerio, announced that they would not oppose Switzler's endorsement. On the second ballot, Switzler won the nomination with 975 votes. Since Carbone did not exceed 15% of the vote on either ballot, he was eliminated.

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! colspan="5" | State Republican Convention results, 1986 |- style="background:#eee; text-align:center;" ! scope="col" style="width: 12em" |Candidate ! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |First ballot ! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |Pct. ! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |Second ballot ! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |Pct. |- !scope="row| | style="text-align:center;"| 775 | style="text-align:center;"| 40.28% | style="text-align:center;"| 975 | style="text-align:center;"| 51.02% |- ! scope="row" | | style="text-align:center;"| 891 | style="text-align:center;"| 46.31% | style="text-align:center;"| 876 | style="text-align:center;"| 45.84% |- !scope="row| | style="text-align:center;"| 258 | style="text-align:center;"| 13.41% | style="text-align:center;"| 60 | style="text-align:center;"| 3.14%

Despite losing the nomination, Hyatt chose to stay in the race and run against Switzler in the Republican primary. However, Switzler dropped out of the race in June after inaccuracies about his military record were revealed. He had falsely claimed to be a member of the United States Army Special Forces and stated that he had fought in Vietnam when he had only visited Vietnam on leave from noncombat duty in Korea.

Hyatt then dropped out of the race on July 14 amid accusations of forging names on his nomination papers, having ties to organized crime, and erratic personal behavior which included working nude in his office.

Businessman and former Secretary of Economic Affairs George Kariotis entered the race after both candidates dropped out. Because the filing deadline for the election was on March 1, Hyatt and Switzler remained on the ballot while Kariotis was forced to run a write in campaign. Hyatt won the election, but he and Switzler, who finished second, declined the nomination and Kariotis was declared the nominee.

Results

Because both listed candidates had dropped out of the race, the Republican primary saw extremely low turnout.

Lieutenant governor Candidates Nicholas M. Nikitas, hotel operator, real estate developer, and Republican Party activist

General election Results Dukakis won a convincing victory over Kariotis. He increased his margins across the state, winning all 14 counties with a majority, even as total vote numbers were down sharply from the previous election.

Soon after being sworn in for his third term as governor, Dukakis began to run for the Democratic nomination for president in 1988.

Results by county 1986 United States presidential election in Massachusetts (by county) County Dukakis - D % Dukakis - D # Kariotis - R % Kariotis - R # Write-ins % Write-ins # Total #Barnstable 62.8% 41,644 37.2% 24,641 0.0% 23 66,308Berkshire 79.1% 33,753 20.9% 8,910 0.0% 6 42,669Bristol 75.8% 97,813 24.2% 31,188 0.0% 31 129,032Dukes 78.5% 3,642 21.4% 994 0.0% 1 4,637Essex 67.0% 130,975 33.0% 64,437 0.0% 83 195,495Franklin 74.8% 15,745 25.0% 5,259 0.3% 54 21,058Hampden 72.5% 81,467 27.5% 30,881 0.0% 35 112,383Hampshire 73.8% 28,500 26.0% 10,038 0.3% 105 38,463Middlesex 68.2% 291,618 31.7% 135,699 0.1% 264 427,581Nantucket 75.6% 1,567 24.4% 507 0.0% 0 2,074Norfolk 65.4% 128,741 34.5% 67,923 0.0% 58 196,722Plymouth 61.6% 71,100 38.4% 44,291 0.0% 42 115,443Suffolk 74.5% 108,995 25.4% 37,223 0.1% 111 146,329Worcester 65.8% 122,216 34.1% 63,373 0.1% 116 185,705

See also 1985–1986 Massachusetts legislature

References