1986 United States Senate election in Arizona

The 1986 United States Senate election in Arizona was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater decided to retire instead of seeking a sixth term. The open seat was won by John McCain, a Republican congressman and former Navy officer who remained in the Senate until his death on August 25, 2018.

1986 United States Senate election in Arizona

November 4, 1986

Nominee John McCain Richard Kimball Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 521,850 340,965 Percentage 60.5% 39.5%

County results McCain:      50–60%      60-70% Kimball:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Barry Goldwater Republican Elected U.S. Senator John McCain Republican

Candidates

Democratic

• Richard Kimball, State Legislator

Republican

• John McCain, U.S. Congressman

Campaign

Kimball's campaign was subject to negative press from the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette, both owned by McCain benefactor Darrow Tully. One Gazette columnist described him as displaying "terminal weirdness." [1] McCain ultimately won the election by a margin of 21%.[2]

Results

General election results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Republican	John McCain	521,850	60.47%	+11.02%
	Democratic	Richard Kimball	340,965	39.51%	-8.87%
	Write-ins		106	0.01%
Majority			180,885	20.96%	+19.89%
Turnout			862,921
	Republican hold		Swing

See also

• United States Senate elections, 1986

References

1. Nowicki, D. & Muller, B. (March 1, 2007). The Senate calls. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 16, 2007.
2. Election Results 1986