1986 Arkansas gubernatorial election

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

1986 Arkansas gubernatorial election

November 4, 1986

Nominee Bill Clinton Frank D. White Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 439,802 248,427 Percentage 63.9% 36.1%

County Results Clinton:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% White:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Bill Clinton Democratic Elected Governor Bill Clinton Democratic

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.

After Amendment 63 to the Arkansas state constitution took effect, the term for all Arkansas governors was extended from two years to four. The 1986 election was the first to take place since then, meaning whoever managed to win would become the first elected to a four-year term as Governor of Arkansas.

Result

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

Arkansas gubernatorial election, 1986 [1]^(p18)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic	Bill Clinton	439,802	63.90%	+1.35%
	Republican	Frank D. White	248,427	36.10%	-1.35%
Total votes			688,229	100.00
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Arkansas Election Results 1986" (PDF). Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved October 29, 2016.