1986 Maryland county executive elections
{{Short description|none}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1986 Maryland county executive elections
| country = Maryland
| type = legislative
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1982 Maryland county executive elections
| previous_year = 1982
| next_election = 1990 Maryland county executive elections
| next_year = 1990
| seats_for_election = All 6 of Maryland's county executive seats
| election_date = November 4, 1986
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| last_election1 = 6
| seats1 = 6
| seat_change1 = {{steady}}
| popular_vote1 =
| percentage1 =
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| last_election2 = 0
| seats2 = 0
| seat_change2 = {{steady}}
| popular_vote2 =
| percentage2 =
| map_image = 1986 Maryland county executive elections.svg
| map_caption = {{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
Democratic
{{legend|#6674DE|60–70%}}
{{legend|#584CDE|70–80%}}
{{legend|#3933E5|80–90%}}
{{col-end}}
}}
{{ElectionsMD}}
The Maryland county executive elections of 1986 took place on November 4, 1986. Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County elected county executives.
{{toclimit|2}}
Anne Arundel County
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- O. James Lighthizer, incumbent county executive{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Michael K. |title=Lighthizer announces race for re-election |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-lighthizer-announces-r/167014911/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 16, 1986 |page=23 |via=Newspapers.com}}
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results{{cite news |title=Anne Arundel County Executive primary election results |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-anne-arundel-county-ex/167009829/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 10, 1986 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
{{Election box unopposed candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = O. James Lighthizer
}}
{{Election box end}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Louise M. R. Beauregard, lobbyist{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Michael K. |title=Arundel's Lighthizer must wait until Nov. 4 to be in an election |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-arundels-lighthizer-m/167015035/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 10, 1986 |page=78 |via=Newspapers.com}}
===Eliminated in primary===
- Carol Defibaugh, registered nurse{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Kaye |title=Few incumbents are opposed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-few-incumbents-are-oppos/167015190/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 2, 1986 |page=44 |via=Newspapers.com}}
- John Grasso, chef{{cite news |title=Grasso in the race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-grasso-in-the-race/167015141/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 26, 1986 |page=18 |via=Newspapers.com}}
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Louise R. M. Beauregard
|votes = 3,366
|percentage = 35.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = John Grasso
|votes = 3,257
|percentage = 34.2%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Carol A. Defibaugh
|votes = 2,876
|percentage = 30.2%
}}
{{Election box end}}
=General election=
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Anne Arundel County Executive election, 1986
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = O. James Lighthizer (incumbent)
|votes = 71,500
|percentage = 80.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Louise R. M. Beauregard
|votes = 17,404
|percentage = 19.6%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
|winner = Democratic Party (US)
}}
{{Election box end}}
Baltimore County
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Dennis F. Rasmussen, state senator{{cite news |last1=Carson |first1=Larry |title=Rasmussen in race for executive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-rasmussen-in-race-for-ex/167015385/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 14, 1986 |page=39 |via=Newspapers.com}}
===Eliminated in primary===
- Elmer H. Kahline Jr., Baltimore County Clerk of the Circuit Court{{cite news |title=Kahline's candidacy for executive is official |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-kahlines-candidacy-fo/167015463/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 2, 1986 |page=52 |via=Newspapers.com}}
- Thomas B. Kernan, state delegate{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=C. Fraser |title=Benevolent election-year legislators primp for voters before heading home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-benevolent-election-ye/167015566/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 8, 1986 |pages=4}}
- John W. O'Rourke, county councilmember{{cite news |title=Sizing Up Towson Democrats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-sizing-up-towson-democ/167015650/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 29, 1985 |page=18 |via=Newspapers.com}}
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results{{cite news |title=Baltimore County Executive primary election results |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-baltimore-county-execu/167010060/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 10, 1986 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Dennis F. Rasmussen
|votes = 55,000
|percentage = 46.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Thomas B. Kernan
|votes = 38,748
|percentage = 32.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = John W. O'Rourke
|votes = 19,969
|percentage = 16.7%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Elmer H. Kahline Jr.
|votes = 5,443
|percentage = 4.5%
}}
{{Election box end}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Robert T. Petr, insurance executive{{cite news |last1=Erlandson |first1=Robert A. |title=4 well-known candidates race the clock |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-4-well-known-candidate/167015691/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 17, 1986 |page=63 |via=Newspapers.com}}
==Results==
=General election=
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Baltimore County Executive election, 1986{{cite news |title=County executives |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-county-executives/167013012/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 5, 1986 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Dennis F. Rasmussen
|votes = 150,195
|percentage = 81.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Robert T. Petr
|votes = 34,071
|percentage = 18.5%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
|winner = Democratic Party (US)
}}
{{Election box end}}
Harford County
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Habern W. Freeman, incumbent county executive{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Edna |title=Freeman to seek second term as Harford County executive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-freeman-to-seek-second/167013214/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 27, 1986 |page=33 |via=Newspapers.com}}
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results{{cite news |title=Harford County Executive primary election results |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-harford-county-executi/167010357/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 10, 1986 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
{{Election box unopposed candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Habern W. Freeman (incumbent)
}}
{{Election box end}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- C. Joseph Bernardo, former county councilmember and nominee for county executive in 1982{{cite news |title=Bernardo officially in race, promises honest, open govt. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-aegis-bernardo-officially-in-race-p/167013423/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Aegis |date=March 27, 1986 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}
==Results==
=General election=
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Harford County Executive election, 1986
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Habern W. Freeman (incumbent)
|votes = 26,433
|percentage = 68.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = C. Joseph Bernardo
|votes = 12,178
|percentage = 31.5%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
|winner = Democratic Party (US)
}}
{{Election box end}}
Howard County
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Elizabeth Bobo, county councilmember{{cite news |last1=Zorzi |first1=William F. Jr. |title=Race starts slowly for county executive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-race-starts-slowly-for/167013559/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 12, 1985 |page=318 |via=Newspapers.com}}
===Eliminated in primary===
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results{{cite news |title=Howard County Executive primary election results |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-howard-county-executiv/167010667/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 10, 1986 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Elizabeth Bobo
|votes = 13,675
|percentage = 68.6%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = James H. Clark
|votes = 6,247
|percentage = 31.3%
}}
{{Election box end}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Gilbert South, businessman{{cite news |last1=Zorzi |first1=William F. Jr. |title=Republican seeks nomination for county executive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-republican-seeks-nomin/167013844/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 1, 1986 |page=318 |via=Newspapers.com}}
==Results==
=General election=
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Howard County Executive election, 1986{{cite news |title=The 1986 Elections: Maryland, District, and Virginia results |url=https://www.proquest.com/pagepdf/139062119/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Washington Post |date=November 5, 1986 |language=en}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Elizabeth Bobo
|votes = 25,829
|percentage = 63.3%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Gilbert South
|votes = 14,995
|percentage = 36.7%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
|winner = Democratic Party (US)
}}
{{Election box end}}
Montgomery County
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
===Eliminated in primary===
- David Robbins, Montgomery County Recreation Director{{cite news |last1=Zibart |first1=Eve |title=Montgomery Council Hopefuls Test Waters |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138667214/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Washington Post |date=May 9, 1985 |via=ProQuest}}
- David Scull, county councilmember{{cite news |last1=Girard |first1=Keith F. |title=Scull to Run for Montgomery County Executive |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138440658/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Washington Post |date=October 14, 1985}}
===Declined===
- Charles W. Gilchrist, incumbent county executive
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results{{cite news |last1=Melton |first1=R. H. |title=Kramer, Gannon win Montgomery Executive races |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138879869/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Washington Post |date=September 10, 1986 |via=ProQuest}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Sidney Kramer
|votes = 51,039
|percentage = 60.0%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = David Scull
|votes = 27,645
|percentage = 32.5%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = David Robbins
|votes = 6,451
|percentage = 7.6%
}}
{{Election box end}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
- Edward J. Gannon, businessman{{cite news |last1=Melton |first1=R.H. |title=Gannon to Run In Montgomery |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1986/03/18/gannon-to-run-in-montgomery/6170f7fa-c7c7-44d7-8a71-d5ada0107720/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 18, 1986}}
===Eliminated in primary===
- Albert Ceccone, real estate consultant and perennial candidate{{cite news |last1=Horwitz |first1=Sari |title=A 4th Try for Albert Ceccone |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1986/09/02/a-4th-try-for-albert-ceccone/409551a3-edec-4d3a-80bb-6a06ac6796dd/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Washington Post |date=September 1, 1986}}
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Edward J. Gannon
|votes = 17,770
|percentage = 66.3%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Albert Ceccone
|votes = 9,023
|percentage = 33.7%
}}
{{Election box end}}
=General election=
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Montgomery County Executive election, 1986
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Sidney Kramer
|votes = 117,731
|percentage = 63.8%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Edward J. Gannon
|votes = 66,868
|percentage = 36.2%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
|winner = Democratic Party (US)
}}
{{Election box end}}
Prince George's County
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
===Eliminated in primary===
- Arthur B. Haynes, schoolteacher and candidate for county executive in 1982
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Susan |title=Glendening swamps rival Haynes in P.G. |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/138900430/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Washington Post |date=September 10, 1986 |language=en |via=ProQuest}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Parris Glendening (incumbent)
|votes = 50,521
|percentage = 88.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Arthur B. Haynes
|votes = 6,817
|percentage = 11.9%
}}
{{Election box end}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
===Nominee===
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary results
}}
{{Election box unopposed candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = R. Dan Ritchie
}}
{{Election box end}}
=General election=
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Prince George's County Executive election, 1986{{cite news |title=The 1986 Elections: Maryland Results |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/139056669/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Washington Post |date=November 5, 1986 |via=ProQuest}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Parris Glendening (incumbent)
|votes = 91,290
|percentage = 77.8%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = R. Dan Ritchie
|votes = 26,072
|percentage = 22.2%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
|winner = Democratic Party (US)
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Elections in Maryland footer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maryland County Executive Elections, 1986}}