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.

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

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

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

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.