1986 Maryland county executive elections
The Maryland county executive elections of 1986 took place on November 4, 1986. Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County elected county executives.
Anne Arundel County
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- O. James Lighthizer, incumbent county executive
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Louise M. R. Beauregard, lobbyist
Eliminated in primary
- Carol Defibaugh, registered nurse
- John Grasso, chef
Baltimore County
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Dennis F. Rasmussen, state senator
Eliminated in primary
- Elmer H. Kahline Jr., Baltimore County Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Thomas B. Kernan, state delegate
- John W. O'Rourke, county councilmember
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Robert T. Petr, insurance executive
Harford County
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Habern W. Freeman, incumbent county executive
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- C. Joseph Bernardo, former county councilmember and nominee for county executive in 1982
Howard County
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Elizabeth Bobo, county councilmember
Eliminated in primary
- James H. Clark, county councilmember
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Gilbert South, businessman
Montgomery County
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Sidney Kramer, state senator
Eliminated in primary
- David Robbins, Montgomery County Recreation Director
- David Scull, county councilmember
Declined
- Charles W. Gilchrist, incumbent county executive
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Edward J. Gannon, businessman
Eliminated in primary
- Albert Ceccone, real estate consultant and perennial candidate
Prince George's County
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Parris Glendening, incumbent county executive
Eliminated in primary
- Arthur B. Haynes, schoolteacher and candidate for county executive in 1982
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- R. Dan Ritchie, president of the Prince George's Civic Federation