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 County results Martinez: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Pajcic: 50–60% 60–70% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1986 Florida gubernatorial election took place alongside the midterm congressional elections. The Democratic Party won many victories across the country (including retaking the Senate). However, in Florida, where Democrats gained the Senate seat from Republicans, they lost the Governorship for just the second time since Reconstruction.
The primaries took place on September 2, the runoffs on September 30, and the general election on November 4, 1986. This was the last time Republicans won Palm Beach County until 2022, and the last time that Democrats won Duval County until 2018.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Pajcic | 360,900 | 35.89% | |
| Democratic | James C. Smith | 309,908 | 30.82% | |
| Democratic | Harry Johnston | 257,906 | 25.65% | |
| Democratic | Mark Kane Goldstein | 54,060 | 5.38% | |
| Democratic | Joan L. Wollin | 22,691 | 2.26% | |
| Total votes | 1,005,465 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Pajcic | 429,527 | 50.64% | |
| Democratic | James C. Smith | 418,614 | 49.36% | |
| Total votes | 848,041 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Martinez | 244,417 | 43.80% | |
| Republican | Louis Frey Jr. | 137,967 | 24.72% | |
| Republican | Tom Gallagher | 131,265 | 23.52% | |
| Republican | Chester Clem | 44,409 | 7.96% | |
| Total votes | 558,058 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Martinez | 259,333 | 66.33% | |
| Republican | Louis Frey Jr. | 131,652 | 33.67% | |
| Total votes | 390,985 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Martinez | 1,847,525 | 54.56% | +19.26 | |
| Democratic | Steve Pajcic | 1,538,620 | 45.44% | -19.26 | |
| Write-in | 27 | 0.00 | N/A | ||
| Majority | 308,905 | 9.12 | -20.28 | ||
| Turnout | 3,386,172 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | ||||
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