1986 New York gubernatorial election

The 1986 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York. Incumbent Democratic governor Mario Cuomo defeated Republican Andrew O'Rourke, the County Executive of Westchester County in a landslide. Cuomo carried all but 5 counties.

Republican nomination

Candidates

• Andrew P. O'Rourke, Westchester County Executive

Declined

• James L. Emery, nominee for lieutenant governor in 1982
• Rudy Giuliani, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
• Roy M. Goodman, State Senator from Manhattan
• Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State
• Lewis Lehrman, banker and nominee for governor in 1982

Lewis Lehrman, the 1982 Republican nominee for governor, decided early on not to mount another candidacy versus Cuomo. Lehrman's decision to forgo a candidacy was seen as a blow to state Republican leaders, given his strong performance in 1982 and wide fundraising capacity. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger considered running for governor and was deemed an "able" challenger, and decision to ultimately pass on a candidacy also led to a leadership vacuum.

In the end, O'Rourke secured the Republican nomination, and was praised as an "extremely credible candidate" by White House official Bill Lacy. His running mate was E. Michael Kavanagh, who served as District Attorney of Ulster County.

Results

References

1. 2026 New York gubernatorial election
2. 2022 New York gubernatorial election
3. New York gubernatorial elections
4. 2018 New York gubernatorial election
5. 2010 New York gubernatorial election
6. 2006 New York gubernatorial election
7. 1978 New York gubernatorial election
8. 2014 New York gubernatorial election
9. 1920 New York gubernatorial election
10. 1994 New York gubernatorial election
11. 1998 New York gubernatorial election
12. 1804 New York gubernatorial election
13. 2002 New York gubernatorial election
14. 1986 Illinois gubernatorial election
15. 1974 New York gubernatorial election
16. 1966 New York gubernatorial election
17. 1970 New York gubernatorial election
18. 1918 New York gubernatorial election
19. 1836 New York gubernatorial election
20. 1986 Alabama gubernatorial election