1986 Georgia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1986 United States gubernatorial elections.

1986 Georgia gubernatorial election

November 4, 1986

Nominee Joe Frank Harris Guy Davis Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 828,465 346,512 Percentage 70.5% 29.5%

County results Harris:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Joe Frank Harris Democratic Elected Governor Joe Frank Harris Democratic

The 1986 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Governor Joe Frank Harris (D) was overwhelmingly re-elected over Guy Davis (R) to win re-election. As the state was beginning to trend more Republican, this is the last election in which the Democrat won the governorship by double digits.

Every county in the state voted for Harris, who flipped every previously Republican county in this election. This was the last time the Democratic nominee for governor won Gwinnett and Cobb counties until Stacey Abrams won them in 2018.

General Election

Georgia gubernatorial election, 1986

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joe Frank Harris (incumbent)	828,465	70.51%	+7.72
	Republican	Guy Davis	346,512	29.49%	-7.68
Majority			481,953	41.02
Turnout			1,174,977
	Democratic hold		Swing