Senate
United States elections · 1986 · held
State Senate races in this midterm cycle, with separate candidate results and election-era ideology attribution.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Alabama — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Shelby | Democratic | 609360 | 50.28% | Elected |
| Jeremiah Denton | Republican | 602537 | 49.72% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Richard Shelby (Democratic) 50.3%
▌Jeremiah Denton (Republican) 49.7%
Sources & further reading
Alaska — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Murkowski | Republican | 97674 | 54.02% | Elected |
| Glenn Olds | Democratic | 79727 | 44.10% | — |
| Chuck House | Libertarian | 3161 | 1.75% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Frank Murkowski (Republican) 54.0%
▌Glenn Olds (Democratic) 44.1%
▌Chuck House (Libertarian) 1.7%
Sources & further reading
Arizona — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John McCain | Republican | 521850 | 60.47% | Elected |
| Richard Kimball | Democratic | 340965 | 39.51% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John McCain (Republican) 60.6%
▌Richard Kimball (Democratic) 39.4%
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale Bumpers | Democratic | 433122 | 62.28% | Elected |
| Asa Hutchinson | Republican | 262313 | 37.72% | — |
| Ralph Forbes | Independent | 52 | 0.10% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Dale Bumpers (Democratic) 62.9%
▌Asa Hutchinson (Republican) 37.1%
Sources & further reading
California — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Cranston | Democratic | 3646672 | 49.29% | Elected |
| Ed Zschau | Republican | 3541804 | 47.87% | — |
| Edward B Vallen | American Independent | 109916 | 1.50% | — |
| Breck McKinley | Libertarian | 66261 | 0.90% | — |
| Paul Kangas | Peace and Freedom | 33869 | 0.46% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Alan Cranston (Democratic) 49.3%
▌Ed Zschau (Republican) 47.8%
Others
▌Breck McKinley (Libertarian) 1.5%
▌Edward B. Vallen (American Independent) 0.9%
▌Andrew R. Kangas (Peace and Freedom) 0.5%
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Wirth | Democratic | 529449 | 49.91% | Elected |
| Ken Kramer | Republican | 512994 | 48.36% | — |
| Michael Martin Bush | Independent | 11127 | 1.05% | — |
| Michael R. Chamberlain | Socialist Workers | 3756 | 0.35% | — |
| Henry John Olshaw | Independent American | 1868 | 0.18% | — |
| Calvin G. Dodge | Prohibition | 1571 | 0.15% | — |
Incumbent retired. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Tim Wirth (Democratic) 49.9%
▌Ken Kramer (Republican) 48.4%
Others
▌Michael Bush (Independent) 1.0%
▌Michael Chamberlain (Socialist Workers) 0.4%
▌Henry Olshaw (Unaffiliated American) 0.2%
▌Calvin Dodge (Prohibition) 0.1%
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Dodd | Democratic | — | 64.80% | Elected |
| Roger W. Eddy | Republican | 340438 | 34.85% | — |
| Edward McCallum | Independent | — | 0.40% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Chris Dodd (Democratic) 64.8%
▌Roger W. Eddy (Republican) 34.8%
▌Edward McCallum (Independent) 0.4%
Sources & further reading
Florida — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Graham | Democratic | 1877543 | 54.74% | Elected |
| Paula Hawkins | Republican | 1552376 | 45.26% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bob Graham (Democratic) 54.7%
▌Paula Hawkins (Republican) 45.3%
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyche Fowler | Democratic | 623707 | 50.91% | Elected |
| Mack Mattingly | Republican | 601241 | 49.08% | — |
| Write-In Votes | Write-in | 60 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Wyche Fowler (Democratic) 50.9%
▌Mack Mattingly (Republican) 49.1%
Sources & further reading
Hawaii — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Inouye | Democratic | 241887 | 73.57% | Elected |
| Frank Hutchinson | Republican | 86910 | 26.43% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Daniel Inouye (Democratic) 73.6%
▌Frank Hutchinson (Republican) 26.4%
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Symms | Republican | 196958 | 51.56% | Elected |
| John V. Evans | Democratic | 185066 | 48.44% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Steve Symms (Republican) 51.4%
▌John V. Evans (Democratic) 48.6%
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan J. Dixon | Democratic | 2033783 | 65.13% | Elected |
| Judy Koehler | Republican | 1053734 | 33.74% | — |
| Einar V. Dyhrkopp | Independent | 15804 | 0.50% | — |
| Don Parrish | Libertarian | 13891 | 0.50% | — |
| Omari Musa | Socialist Workers | 5671 | 0.18% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Alan J. Dixon (Democratic) 65.4%
▌Judy Koehler (Republican) 34.1%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Quayle | Republican | 936143 | 60.57% | Elected |
| Jill L. Long | Democratic | 595192 | 38.51% | — |
| Bradford Warren | Libertarian | 8314 | 0.54% | — |
| Rockland Snyder | American | 5914 | 0.38% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Dan Quayle (Republican) 61.1%
▌Jill L. Long (Democratic) 38.9%
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuck Grassley | Republican | 588880 | 66.04% | Elected |
| John P. Roehrick | Democratic | 299406 | 33.57% | — |
| John Masters | Independent | 3370 | 0.38% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Chuck Grassley (Republican) 66.0%
▌John P. Roehrick (Democratic) 34.0%
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Dole | Republican | 576902 | 70.05% | Elected |
| Guy MacDonald | Democratic | 246664 | 29.95% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bob Dole (Republican) 70.1%
▌Guy MacDonald (Democratic) 29.9%
Sources & further reading
Kentucky — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendell Ford | Democratic | — | 74.30% | Elected |
| Jackson M. Andrews | Republican | 173330 | 25.59% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Wendell Ford (Democratic) 74.3%
▌Jackson M. Andrews (Republican) 25.7%
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Breaux | Democratic | — | 52.80% | Elected |
| Henson Moore | Republican | — | 47.20% | — |
Incumbent retired. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Breaux (Democratic) 52.8%
▌Henson Moore (Republican) 47.2%
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Mikulski | Democratic | — | 60.80% | Elected |
| Linda Chavez | Republican | 437411 | 39.31% | — |
Incumbent retired. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Barbara Mikulski (Democratic) 60.8%
▌Linda Chavez (Republican) 39.2%
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kit Bond | Republican | 777612 | 52.60% | Elected |
| Harriett Woods | Democratic | 699624 | 47.36% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Kit Bond (Republican) 52.6%
▌Harriett Woods (Democratic) 47.4%
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Reid | Democratic | 130955 | 50.00% | Elected |
| Jim Santini | Republican | 116606 | 44.52% | — |
| None of These Candidates | 9472 | 3.62% | — | |
| Kent Cromwell | Libertarian | 4899 | 1.87% | — |
Incumbent retired. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Harry Reid (Democratic) 50.0%
▌James David Santini (Republican) 44.5%
▌Kent Cromwell (Libertarian) 1.9%
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren Rudman | Republican | 154090 | 63.00% | Elected |
| Endicott Peabody | Democratic | 79222 | 32.37% | — |
| Bruce Valley | Independent | 11423 | 4.67% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Warren Rudman (Republican) 62.9%
▌Endicott Peabody (Democratic) 32.4%
▌Gruce Valley (Independent) 4.7%
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al D'Amato | Republican | 2378197 | 56.90% | Elected |
| Mark Green | Democratic | 1723216 | 41.20% | — |
| John S. Dyson | Liberal | 60099 | 1.40% | — |
| Fred Newman | New Alliance | 10559 | 0.30% | — |
| Michael Shur | Socialist Workers | 7376 | 0.20% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Al D'Amato (Republican) 57.7%
▌Mark Green (Democratic) 40.9%
Others
▌John S. Dyson (Liberal) 1.4%
▌Fred Newman (New Alliance) 0.3%
▌Michael Shur (Socialist Workers) 0.2%
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Sanford | Democratic | 780967 | 50.88% | Elected |
| Jim Broyhill | Republican | 753881 | 49.12% | — |
Interim appointee lost election. Democratic gain. Winner was also elected to finish the current term; see above. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Terry Sanford (Democratic) 51.8%
▌Jim Broyhill (Republican) 48.2%
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate (Class 3) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Sanford | Democratic | 780967 | 50.88% | Elected |
| Jim Broyhill | Republican | 753881 | 49.12% | — |
Interim appointee lost election to finish term. New senator elected November 8, 1986. Democratic gain. Winner also elected to the next term; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Terry Sanford (Democratic) 50.9%
▌Jim Broyhill (Republican) 49.1%
Sources & further reading
North Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent Conrad | Democratic | 143932 | 49.80% | Elected |
| Mark Andrews | Republican | 141812 | 49.07% | — |
| Anna B. Bourgois | Independent | 3269 | 1.13% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic-NPL gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Kent Conrad (Democratic-NPL) 49.8%
▌Mark Andrews (Republican) 49.0%
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Glenn | Democratic | 1949208 | 62.45% | Elected |
| Tom Kindness | Republican | 1171893 | 37.60% | — |
| Kathleen M. Button | Independent | 59 | 0.00% | — |
| William M. Harris | Independent | 29 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Glenn (Democratic) 62.4%
▌Tom Kindness (Republican) 37.6%
Sources & further reading
Oklahoma — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Nickles | Republican | 493436 | 55.21% | Elected |
| James R. Jones | Democratic | 400230 | 44.79% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Don Nickles (Republican) 54.5%
▌James R. Jones (Democratic) 45.5%
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Packwood | Republican | 656317 | 62.95% | Elected |
| Rick Bauman | Democratic | 375735 | 36.04% | — |
| Write-in | Independent | 10503 | 1.01% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bob Packwood (Republican) 63.5%
▌Rick Bauman (Democratic) 36.5%
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlen Specter | Republican | 1906537 | 56.44% | Elected |
| Robert W. Edgar | Democratic | 1448219 | 42.90% | — |
| Lance S. Haver | Independent | 23470 | 0.69% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Arlen Specter (Republican) 56.9%
▌Robert W. Edgar (Democratic) 43.1%
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fritz Hollings | Democratic | 465511 | 63.10% | Elected |
| Henry McMaster | Republican | 262976 | 35.60% | — |
| Steven B. Vandervelde | Libertarian | 4789 | 0.65% | — |
| Ray Hillyard | American | 4588 | 0.62% | — |
| Write-Ins | No party | 199 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Fritz Hollings (Democratic) 63.9%
▌Henry McMaster (Republican) 36.1%
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Daschle | Democratic | 152657 | 51.60% | Elected |
| James Abdnor | Republican | 143173 | 48.40% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Tom Daschle (Democratic) 51.6%
▌James Abdnor (Republican) 48.4%
Sources & further reading
Utah — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Garn | Republican | 314608 | 72.31% | Elected |
| Craig S. Oliver (D) | Democratic | 115523 | 26.55% | — |
| Hugh A. Butler (L) | Libertarian | 3023 | 0.69% | — |
| Mary Zins | Socialist Workers | 1863 | 0.43% | — |
| Write-Ins | None | 94 | 0.02% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jake Garn (Republican) 72.3%
▌Craig Oliver (Democratic) 26.6%
Others
▌Hugh A. Butler (Libertarian) 0.7%
▌Mary Zins (Independent) 0.4%
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Leahy | Democratic | 124123 | 63.16% | Elected |
| Richard A. Snelling | Republican | 67798 | 34.50% | — |
| Anthony N. Doria | Conservative Party (US) | 2963 | 1.51% | — |
| Jerry Levy | Liberty Union | 1583 | 0.81% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Patrick Leahy (Democratic) 63.7%
▌Richard A. Snelling (Republican) 34.7%
Sources & further reading
Washington — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brock Adams | Democratic | 677471 | 50.66% | Elected |
| Slade Gorton | Republican | 650931 | 48.67% | — |
| Jill Fein | Socialist Workers | 8965 | 0.67% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Brock Adams (Democratic) 50.6%
▌Slade Gorton (Republican) 48.7%
▌Jill Fein (Socialist Workers) 0.7%
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Kasten | Republican | 754573 | 50.90% | Elected |
| Ed Garvey | Democratic | 702963 | 47.40% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bob Kasten (Republican) 51.8%
▌Ed Garvey (Democratic) 48.2%
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Elected candidates in regular races; continuing senators are not included
| Party / candidate | Votes | Vote share | Seats | Electoral votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Shelby · Alabama | — | — | 1 | — |
| Frank Murkowski · Alaska | — | — | 1 | — |
| John McCain · Arizona | — | — | 1 | — |
| Dale Bumpers · Arkansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Alan Cranston · California | — | — | 1 | — |
| Tim Wirth · Colorado | — | — | 1 | — |
| Chris Dodd · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bob Graham · Florida | — | — | 1 | — |
| Wyche Fowler · Georgia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Daniel Inouye · Hawaii | — | — | 1 | — |
| Steve Symms · Idaho | — | — | 1 | — |
| Alan J. Dixon · Illinois | — | — | 1 | — |
| Dan Quayle · Indiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Chuck Grassley · Iowa | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bob Dole · Kansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Wendell Ford · Kentucky | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Breaux · Louisiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Barbara Mikulski · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| Kit Bond · Missouri | — | — | 1 | — |
| Harry Reid · Nevada | — | — | 1 | — |
| Warren Rudman · New Hampshire | — | — | 1 | — |
| Al D'Amato · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| Terry Sanford · North Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Kent Conrad · North Dakota | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Glenn · Ohio | — | — | 1 | — |
| Don Nickles · Oklahoma | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bob Packwood · Oregon | — | — | 1 | — |
| Arlen Specter · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| Fritz Hollings · South Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Tom Daschle · South Dakota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Jake Garn · Utah | — | — | 1 | — |
| Patrick Leahy · Vermont | — | — | 1 | — |
| Brock Adams · Washington | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bob Kasten · Wisconsin | — | — | 1 | — |
The seat diagram shows only regular seats contested in this cycle, not the full Senate. Special races remain available in the state selector. Early cycles span two years and use legislative selection; missing or non-comparable vote totals are left blank. Candidate ideology is used where sourced; otherwise the broad election-era party tradition is used. Unassessed candidates are not assigned an ideology.
Sources & further reading
U.S. Senate historical party divisions