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1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

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Turnout	57.41% 25.1
Nominee Michael Dukakis George Kariotis Party Democratic Republican Running mate Evelyn Murphy Nicholas Nikitas Popular vote 1,157,786 525,364 Percentage 68.79% 31.21%
County results Municipality resultsDukakis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Kariotis:      50–60%      70–80%
Governor before election Michael Dukakis Democratic Elected Governor Michael Dukakis Democratic

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v t e

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.

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

Due to the fact that 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.

1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Michael Dukakis (incumbent)	1,157,786	68.79%	5.67
	Republican	George Kariotis	525,364	31.21%	7.01
Total votes			1,683,150	100.00%
	None	Blank votes	93,138	—
Turnout			1,776,288	100.00%

Results by county

See also

• 1985–1986 Massachusetts legislature

References

1. "Our Campaigns - MA Governor Race - Nov 04, 1986". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
2. Bruce Mohl (April 5, 1986). "Guy Carbone Announces GOP Run for Governor". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
3. ^ Andrew J. Dabilis (April 13, 1986). "Switzler Drive Put Together in 4 1/2 Hours". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
4. "Former Governor King decides not to challenge Dukakis again next fall". Providence Journal. Associated Press. January 24, 1986. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
5. Bruce Mohl (March 14, 1986). "GOP'S Hyatt Announces Candidacy for Governor". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
6. Bruce Mohl (April 14, 1986). "GOP'S Gears Set in Motion; Switzler Plots Strategy, Signals Hyatt Should Quit". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
7. Bruce Mohl (June 5, 1986). "ACCUSATIONS, TURMOIL SWIRL OVER SWITZLER". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
8. Bruce Mohl (October 18, 1986). "ADS DEPICT TAX CAP AS A HYATT PROPOSAL". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
9. "Hey, gang! It's all over!". Nashua Telegraph. July 17, 1986. Retrieved July 30, 2011.
10. "Sign's '?' on Governor Answered, Massachusetts G.O.P. Seeks End to Slide". New York Times. February 16, 1986. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
11. ^ "PD43+ » Search Elections". PD43+. Retrieved February 11, 2024.

• Massachusetts gubernatorial elections
• 1986 United States gubernatorial elections
• 1986 Massachusetts elections
• Michael Dukakis