The 1986 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986. Democratic nominee Neil Goldschmidt defeated Republican Norma Paulus to win the election. As of 2025, this is the most recent Oregon gubernatorial election in which both major party candidates are now deceased.
Primary election
Oregon held primary elections on May 20, 1986.
Republican party
Candidates
- Sanford L. Blau, retired realtor and jewelry dealer
- Betty Freauf, chairman of Marion County Republican Party
- Ben Kilpatrick, former Josephine County commissioner
- Juan J. Ortegon
- Norma Paulus, Oregon Secretary of State
- Joe C. Simpson
- William K. Sparks
Democratic party
Candidates
- C. F. Barackman
- Edward Fadeley, former President of the Oregon State Senate
- Robert L. Forthan
- Neil Goldschmidt, former United States Secretary of Transportation and former Mayor of Portland
- Dave Jones, radio and television reporter and producer
- E. Allen Propst, perennial candidate
- George Thomas, RV salesman
General election
Results by county
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Baker
- Benton
- Clatsop
- Columbia
- Coos
- Lane
- Lincoln
- Linn
- Marion
- Multnomah
- Polk
- Tillamook
- Union
- Yamhill