| Election Name: | 1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Wyoming |
| Type: | presidential |
| Election Date: | November 4, 1986 |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1982 Wyoming gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1982 |
| Next Election: | 1990 Wyoming gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1990 |
| Image1: | File:WY Governor Mike Sullivan WSA OH-2104.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Mike Sullivan |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 88,879 |
| Percentage1: | 53.96% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Nominee2: | Pete Simpson |
| Popular Vote2: | 75,841 |
| Percentage2: | 46.04% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Edgar Herschler |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Mike Sullivan |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1986 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Popular three-term Democratic Governor Edgar Herschler announced that he would not seek a fourth term, creating an open seat.[1] Attorney Mike Sullivan emerged as the unlikely Democratic nominee, and faced former State Representative Pete Simpson, the Republican nominee and the brother of then-U.S. Senator Alan K. Simpson, in the general election. Despite Sullivan's political inexperience, he was able to defeat Simpson by a decisive margin, winning his first of two terms in office.
Sullivan spent $102,219 during the primary and $150,000 in the general election compared to Simpson spending around $300,000 in the primary and $200,000 in the general election.[6]