| Election Name: | 1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Massachusetts |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1982 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1982 |
| Next Election: | 1990 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1990 |
| Election Date: | November 3, 1986 |
| Turnout: | 57.41% 25.1 [1] |
| Image1: | File:Michael Dukakis 1988 DNC (2).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Michael Dukakis |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Running Mate1: | Evelyn Murphy |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,157,786 |
| Percentage1: | 68.79% |
| Nominee2: | George Kariotis |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Running Mate2: | Nicholas Nikitas |
| Popular Vote2: | 525,364 |
| Percentage2: | 31.21% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Michael Dukakis |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Michael Dukakis |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Michael Dukakis was elected Governor of Massachusetts for a third term. He defeated Republican George Kariotis by a 69–31% margin. This was the last time a Democrat was elected governor of Massachusetts until 2006.
Michael Dukakis was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
John Kerry, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1982, did not run for reelection as he had been elected to the United States Senate in 1984.
On March 13, Greg Hyatt became the first Republican to enter the gubernatorial race. A self-described "populist conservative", Hyatt supported limiting state taxes, bringing back the death penalty, and competency testing and merit pay for teachers. He opposed the state law that made wearing a seat belt mandatory, the use of roadblocks to crack down on drunken driving, and the use of public funds for abortions.[5]
Shortly before the Republican convention, Boston attorney and former Metropolitan District Commissioner Guy Carbone entered the race.
The convention nomination was won by Royall H. Switzler, a state representative who had been drafted by anti-Hyatt Republicans after former Congressman Paul W. Cronin decided not to enter the race. To receive the endorsement of the party, a candidate must receive the support of 50% of the delegates. Only candidates receiving 15% of the vote or more on any ballot would be eligible for a primary. After a strong showing on the first ballot, some of Hyatt's major supporters, including Ray Shamie and Papa Gino's founder Michael Valerio, announced that they would not oppose Switzler's endorsement. On the second ballot, Switzler won the nomination with 975 votes. Since Carbone did not exceed 15% of the vote on either ballot, he was eliminated.
| State Republican Convention results, 1986 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | First ballot | Pct. | Second ballot | Pct. |
| 775 | 40.28% | 975 | 51.02% | |
| 891 | 46.31% | 876 | 45.84% | |
| 258 | 13.41% | 60 | 3.14% | |