The 1986 Arkansas gubernatorial election was conducted on November 4, 1986, to elect the

Governor of Arkansas A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political r ...

. Incumbent Democratic Governor Bill Clinton stood for re-election. He had been elected in 1982 and re-elected in 1984, and sought a third consecutive term and fourth overall (Clinton had been first elected in 1978). His opponent was former Republican Governor Frank D. White, who was seeking to return to the office he had defeated Clinton for in the 1980 election. Clinton had defeated former Governor Orval Faubus for the Democratic nomination, while White defeated former Lieutenant Governor Maurice Britt in the Republican primary.

Background

This was the first gubernatorial election following the enactment of a constitution amendment in 1984, that increased the office's term from two years to four years.

Democratic primary

Clinton won the Democratic primary with 60.58% of the vote against Orval Faubus with 33.5% and W. Dean Goldsby with 5.92%.

Results by County

Result

Clinton won the election with almost 64% of the vote.

References

Works cited

* Gubernatorial Bill Clinton Arkansas

1986 The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles. **Spain and Portugal ente ...

1986 in Arkansas November 1986 events November 1986 events in North America November 1986 events in the United States {{Arkansas-election-stub