1986 Tennessee gubernatorial election

The 1986 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Democratic nominee Ned McWherter defeated former Republican Governor Winfield Dunn with 54.3% of the vote.

With this win, McWherter flipped the state back into Democratic control, with the state legislature also being controlled by Democrats.

Primary elections
Primary elections were held on August 7, 1986.

Candidates

 * Ned McWherter, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives
 * Jane Eskind, Public Service Commissioner
 * Richard Fulton, Mayor of Nashville
 * Joseph L. Crichton
 * Bill Jacox

Candidates

 * Winfield Dunn, former Governor
 * Hubert David Patty, perennial candidate
 * Charles Gordon Vick, perennial candidate

Candidates

 * Ned McWherter, Democratic
 * Winfield Dunn, Republican