1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election
The 1986 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, and featured state Treasurer Kay Orr, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee, former Mayor of Lincoln Helen Boosalis. Incumbent Democratic governor Bob Kerrey did not seek a second term.
The election was the first state gubernatorial election in U.S. history where the candidates of both major national parties were women.
Democratic primary
Governor
Candidates
- Chris Beutler, member of the Nebraska Legislature
- Helen Boosalis, former mayor of Lincoln and Director of the Nebraska Department of Aging
- Barton E. Chandler
- Mina B. Dillingham
- David Domina, attorney
- Marge Higgins
- Robert J. Prokop
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
- Rachel Hepburn, director of social services and public relations at O.U.R. Homes from Lincoln, Nebraska, who withdrew from the race in April 1986
- Donald F. McGinley, incumbent Nebraska Lieutenant Governor
- Ken L. Michaelis, disbarred attorney from West Point, Nebraska
Republican primary
Governor
Candidates
- Kermit Brashear, attorney and former chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party
- Nancy Hoch, businesswoman and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1984
- Chuck Loos
- Kay A. Orr, Nebraska State Treasurer
- Paul A. Rosberg
- Everett Sileven
- Monte Taylor
- Roger Yant
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
- Richard J. Mathews, retired Air Force officer from Bellevue, Nebraska
- Randy Moody, lobbyist, former Lancaster County Republican chairman, and former aide to Rep. John Y. McCollister, Sen. Roman Hruska, Rep. Virginia D. Smith, and Gov. Charles Thone from Lincoln, Nebraska
- Bill Nichol, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature since 1983 and member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 48 since 1975 from Scottsbluff, Nebraska.