Maine gubernatorial election, 1986

Maine gubernatorial election, 1986

← 1982 November 4, 1986 1990 →
Nominee John R. McKernan, Jr. James Tierney Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 170,312 128,744 Percentage 39.90% 30.16%   Nominee Sherry Huber John Menario Party Independent Independent Popular vote 64,317 62,102 Percentage 15.07% 14.87%
County results   Counties won by Tierney   Counties won by McKernan
Governor before election Joseph Brennan Democratic Elected Governor John R. McKernan, Jr. Republican

Joseph Brennan
Democratic

John R. McKernan, Jr.
Republican

The 1986 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic Governor Joseph Brennan was term limited and unable 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 in since 1968.

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.

The future of the Power Plant had been placed up for statewide referendum in 1980 and again in 1982. McKernan and Menario opposed the closure of Maine Yankee, while Tierney and Huber supported the efforts to close the Plant in 1988.