U.S. Senate election, 1986

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Results -- Republican holds in light red, pickups in dark red, Democratic holds in light blue, pickups in dark blue

The U.S. Senate election, 1986 was an election for the United States Senate in the middle of Ronald Reagan's second presidential term. As a midterm election, and one which occurred six years after major Republican gains from Reagan's coattails in 1980, the Democrats had a better chance to gain seats.

In the event, the Democrats gained a net eight seats, and recaptured control of the Senate from the Republicans with a 55-45 majority. Robert Dole (R-KS) and Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) exchanged positions as majority and minority leader.

The only Republican gain was one open seat in Missouri. On the other hand, the Democrats gained open seats in Maryland and Nevada and defeated seven incumbent Republican Senators, six of them first-term senators elected in 1980. The incumbents were: Jeremiah Denton (R-AL), Paula Hawkins (R-FL), Mack Mattingly (R-GA), James Broyhill (R-NC), Mark Andrews (R-ND), James Abdnor (R-SD), and Slade Gorton (R-WA).

Notable new Senators in 1986 include John McCain (R-AZ), elected to the seat left by Barry Goldwater's retirement, Tom Daschle (D-SD), who retook George McGovern's old seat from Abdnor, and current Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

In 1987, Edward Zorinsky (D-NE) died and was replaced by David K. Karnes (R-NE). This is not included in the party balance totals.

Senate contests in 1986

See also

• U.S. House election, 1986

Senate composition before and after elections