United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 3, 1987, in three states and one territory. Democrats retained all three seats up for election; although three new people were elected governor.
As of 2026, this is the last time where Louisiana, Kentucky, and Mississippi all elected governors from the same party simultaneously.
Election results State Incumbent Party Firstelected Result Candidates Kentucky Martha Layne Collins 1983 Incumbent term-limited.New governor elected.Democratic hold. Louisiana Edwin Edwards 19721979 1983 Incumbent lost re-election and withdrew from advanced runoff.New governor elected.Democratic hold. Mississippi William Allain 1983 Incumbent term-limited.New governor elected.Democratic hold.
Close states
States where the margin of victory was under 10%: Louisiana, 5.3% Mississippi, 6.8%
Kentucky
The 1987 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1987. Democratic nominee Wallace Wilkinson defeated Republican nominee John Harper with 64.50% of the vote.
Louisiana
The 1987 Louisiana gubernatorial election was held to elect the governor of Louisiana. Three-term incumbent Democratic governor Edwin Edwards lost re-election to a fourth term, defeated by Democratic congressman Buddy Roemer.
Edwin Edwards defeated Governor Dave Treen in the 1983 election. Edwards was prosecuted as governor by U.S. District Attorney John Volz for selling hospital certificates, but the first trial results in a hung jury before Edwards was acquitted.
Under Louisiana's jungle primary system, all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party, and voters may vote for any candidate, regardless of their party affiliation. On October 24, 1987, Roemer and Edwards took the two highest popular vote counts. As neither took over 50% a runoff was scheduled, but Edwards withdrew, causing the runoff's cancellation.
Mississippi
The 1987 Mississippi gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1987 to elect the governor of Mississippi.
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