| Election Name: | 1986 New York gubernatorial election |
| Country: | New York |
| Flag Image: | Flag of New York (1909–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1982 New York gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1982 |
| Next Election: | 1990 New York gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1990 |
| Election Date: | November 4, 1986 |
| Image1: | Image:Mario Cuomo 1991.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Mario Cuomo |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Alliance1: | Liberal |
| Running Mate1: | Stan Lundine |
| Popular Vote1: | 2,775,045 |
| Percentage1: | 64.63% |
| Nominee2: | Andrew O'Rourke |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Alliance2: | Conservative |
| Running Mate2: | E. Michael Kavanagh |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,363,968 |
| Percentage2: | 31.77% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Mario Cuomo |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Mario Cuomo |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
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.
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.[2] Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger considered running for governor and was deemed an "able" challenger,[3] and decision to ultimately pass on a candidacy also led to a leadership vacuum.[4]
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.[5]