1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election

The 1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Popular three-term Democratic Governor Edgar Herschler announced that he would not seek a fourth term, creating an open seat. Attorney Mike Sullivan emerged as the unlikely Democratic nominee, and faced former State Representative Pete Simpson, the Republican nominee and the brother of then-U.S. Senator Alan K. Simpson, in the general election. Despite Sullivan's political inexperience, he was able to defeat Simpson by a decisive margin, winning his first of two terms in office.

Candidates

 * Mike Sullivan, attorney
 * Pat McGuire, rancher
 * Keith Goodenough, forester
 * Al Hamburg, perennial candidate

Candidates

 * Pete Simpson, former State Representative
 * Bill Budd, former State Representative
 * Fred Schroeder, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Wyoming
 * Russ Donley, former Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives
 * David R. Nicholas, State Senator
 * John R. Johnson, dentist
 * Jim L. Bace, computer programmer, 1982 Republican candidate for Governor