The 1986 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1986, for the post of Governor of Arizona. Republican Evan Mecham, who defeated Burton Barr for the Republican nomination, defeated the Democratic nominee and State Superintendent Carolyn Warner and independent candidate Bill Schulz.
Mecham's victory in the primary and general elections are considered among the greatest political surprises in Arizona history. Ultimately, Mecham did not complete his full four-year term in office; he was impeached and removed from office in 1988.
This was the first gubernatorial election in which La Paz County participated after separating from Yuma County in between this election and the one just before it.
Background
Bruce Babbitt, who succeed to the office of Governor upon the 1978 death of Wesley Bolin, chose not to run for a third term in office. Babbitt was first elected over Evan Mecham in 1978 and re-elected in a landslide in 1982; some speculated that he would seek to succeed Barry Goldwater in the United States Senate, but Babbitt ultimately focused on a run for President of the United States in 1988.
Although no Republican had been elected Governor of Arizona since 1970, President Ronald Reagan had carried the state with record margins in 1980 and 1984.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Tony Mason, candidate for U.S. House in 1976
- Dave Moss, candidate for governor in 1978 and 1982
- Carolyn Warner, Superintendent of Public Instruction
Withdrew
- Bill Schulz, businessman and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 1980
Republican primary
Candidates
- Burton Barr, House Majority Leader and State Representative from Phoenix
- Evan Mecham, auto dealer and perennial candidate
Campaign
Barr, who was personally recruited by President Reagan to run for governor and had the universal support of the state Republican establishment, was the heavy favorite. His campaign largely ignored Mecham, who launched negative attacks on Barr and the state party generally. When Republicans responded to Mecham's criticism, such as when the Senate Republican leader called him an "ethical pygmy," his popularity with voters rose.
Results
Mecham's primary victory over Barr was received as "the biggest upset in Arizona" since Barry Goldwater's 1952 victory over United States Senator Ernest McFarland.
General election
Candidates
- Evan Mecham, auto dealer and perennial candidate (Republican)
- Bill Schulz, businessman and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 1980 (Independent)
- Carolyn Warner, Superintendent of Public Instruction (Democratic)
Results by county
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Cochise
- Graham
- Maricopa
- Mohave
- Yavapai