The 1986 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party candidate Rudy Perpich defeated Independent-Republican Party challenger Cal Ludeman. Saint Paul Mayor George Latimer unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination.
This would be the last gubernatorial election won by a Democrat until 2010.
DFL primary
Candidates
- William T. Heine, St. Paul resident and perennial candidate
- Running mate: Dale Johnson, St. Paul resident
- George Latimer, mayor of Saint Paul since 1976
- Running mate: Arvonne Fraser, co-founder of the Women's Equity Action League and wife of Minneapolis mayor Don Fraser
- Andrew L. Olson, Heron Lake farmer and supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
- Running mate: Linda Herschbach, Mendota Heights resident
- Rudy Perpich, incumbent governor since 1983
- Running mate: Marlene Johnson, incumbent lieutenant governor since 1983
- Phil Ratté, Columbia Heights resident and perennial candidate
- Running mate: Kim Kimmel, Magnolia resident
Independent-Republican primary
Candidates
- Wallace Brattrud, retired Waseca businessman and Democratic candidate for U.S. representative in 1982 and 1984
- Running mate: Lavinia Olson, Minneapolis resident
- James Lindau, mayor of Bloomington since 1977
- Running mate: M. Joan Parent, retired veterinarian from Foley
- Cal Ludeman, farmer and former state representative from Tracy
- Running mate: Denny Schulstad, member of the Minneapolis City Council and retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general
- Beatrice Mooney, Lake St. Croix Beach registered nurse
- Running mate: Ione Gerads, Cottage Grove resident
- Doug Williams, Chaska resident
- Running mate: Steve Williams, Shakopee resident
The Mooney-Gerads ticket was the first all-woman gubernatorial ticket to run for a major party nomination in Minnesota history.
General election
Candidates
- W. Z. "Bill" Brust, former Trotskyist university professor from West St. Paul (Workers League)
- Running mate: Cory Johnson, Minneapolis resident
- Tom Jaax, St. Paul knitting machine operator (Socialist Workers)
- Running mate: August Nimtz, Minneapolis university professor
- Cal Ludeman, farmer and former state representative from Tracy (Independent-Republican)
- Running mate: Denny Schulstad, member of the Minneapolis City Council
- Rudy Perpich, incumbent governor since 1983 (DFL)
- Running mate: Marlene Johnson, incumbent lieutenant governor since 1983
- Joseph A. Rohner III, Wayzata resident (Libertarian)
- Running mate: Edwin Mudge, Minneapolis resident
- Mark Rosen, Twin Cities WCCO sportscaster (write-in)