The 1986 United States Senate election in Vermont was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy won reelection to a third term, defeating Republican former governor

Richard Snelling Richard Arkwright Snelling (February 18, 1927August 13, 1991) was an American businessman and politician. He was most notable for his service as the 76th and 78th governor of Vermont from 1977 to 1985 and from January 10, 1991, until his death ...

by a landslide margin of almost 30 points, in a race that was initially expected to be quite competitive, as Snelling was recruited to run by popular President

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

Democratic primary

Candidates

* Patrick Leahy, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Liberty Union primary

Candidates

* Jerry Levy, sociologist and perennial candidate

Results

Republican primary

The popular former Governor of Vermont,

Richard A. Snelling Richard Arkwright Snelling (February 18, 1927August 13, 1991) was an American businessman and politician. He was most notable for his service as the 76th and 78th governor of Vermont from 1977 to 1985 and from January 10, 1991, until his death ...

, had faced pressure from national Republicans to enter the race, but had spent the majority of 1985 convinced that he would not be a candidate. In October 1985, however, encouraged by figures such as New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici and President of the United States

, Snelling changed his mind and entered the race, claiming that a lack of action over the United States national deficit had encouraged him to run.

Candidates

, former Governor of Vermont * Anthony N. Doria, founder of the Vermont Law School and perennial candidate

Results

General election

Campaign

Both Leahy and Snelling were well-respected and highly popular in Vermont, and the general feeling was that they would both make good Senators. However, Snelling was felt to be at a disadvantage for several reasons, including the fact that his main campaign plank was deficit reduction, which ''

The Caledonian-Record ''The Caledonian-Record'' is a daily newspaper published in St. Johnsbury, Vermont and primarily circulates throughout Caledonia County. It was established in 1837.

'' noted Leahy was already a well-known advocate for, and the fact that Leahy had acquired a reputation as one of the Senate's most knowledgable figures on the issue of

nuclear proliferation Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information to nations not recognized as " Nuclear Weapon States" by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Wea ...

, an issue which the '' Brattleboro Reformer'' noted Snelling had no experience with. Snelling frequently attacked Leahy by calling him a "liberal" during the campaign, part of a broader strategy of negative campaigning against the incumbent.

Candidates

* Anthony Doria (C), perennial candidate * Patrick Leahy (D), incumbent U.S. Senator * Jerry Levy (LU), sociologist and perennial candidate *

(R), former Governor of Vermont

Endorsements

Results

References

{{United States elections, 1986 Vermont

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 Vermont elections

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Liberty Union primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Campaign

Candidates

Endorsements

Results

See also

References