1986 United States Senate election in Nevada

1986 United States Senate election in Nevada

November 4, 1986

Nominee Harry Reid Jim Santini Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 130,955 116,606 Percentage 50.0% 44.5%

County results Reid:      40–50%      60–70% Santini:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Paul Laxalt Republican Elected U.S. Senator Harry Reid Democratic

The 1986 United States Senate election in Nevada was held on November 4, 1986. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. U.S. Representative Democratic nominee Harry Reid won the open seat.

Major candidates

Democratic

• Harry Reid, U.S. Representative from Nevada's 1st congressional district (1983–1987)

Republican

• James David Santini, former U.S. Representative from Nevada's At-large congressional district (1975–1983)

Results

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Harry Reid	130,955	50.00%	+12.61%
	Republican	Jim Santini	116,606	44.52%	−14.01%
	None of These Candidates		9,472	3.62%	+2.33%
	Libertarian	Kent Cromwell	4,899	1.87%	−0.94%
Majority			14,349	5.48%	−15.66%
Turnout			261,932
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

See also

• 1986 United States Senate elections