1986 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

Republican primary

Lt. Governor Bill Scranton III ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bob Casey, former Auditor General of Pennsylvania
• Ed Rendell, District Attorney of Philadelphia

The affable Casey had a reformist but conservative track record that made him popular in rural areas and unionized towns, while Rendell had a strong urban base. Rendell would later be elected Governor in 2002.

Results

After being defeated in the Democratic primary for governor on three prior occasions, Casey finally won his party's nod.

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General election

Candidates

• Bob Casey, former Auditor General (Democratic)
  • running mate: Mark Singel, State Senator from Johnstown
• Heidi Hoover (Consumer)
  • running mate: John Brickhouse
• Bill Scranton III, Lieutenant Governor (Republican)
  • running mate: Mike Fisher, State Senator from Upper St. Clair

Campaign

Casey, a moderate with strong labor ties and anti-abortion viewpoints informed by his Catholicism, was often to the right of his Republican opponent on social issues; Scranton, whose father was a leading moderate, was pro-choice and attempted to connect with the fiscally conservative but socially progressive suburban voter.

The race featured back-and-forth polling in the months preceding the election, with the public demonstrating generally positive views toward both figures, but growing weary of their negative campaigning that dominated the contest. Late in the campaign, then-unknown political consultant James Carville commissioned what became known as "the guru ad" for Casey. Aired mainly in rural areas, the ad emphasized Scranton's wealthy family background, use of recreational drugs as a college student, and open practice of and advocacy for transcendental meditation (with the image of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi accompanied by "Indian"-sounding music); as a result, Casey appeared as the more socially conservative and less corrupt candidate, which helped him to a strong performance for a Democrat in traditionally Republican areas of Central Pennsylvania.

Results

Notes

References

References

1. "Our Campaigns - PA Governor - D Primary Race - May 20, 1986".
2. Kennedy, John J.. (2006). "Pennsylvania Elections: Statewide Contests From 1950-2004". University Press of America.
3. Ferrick, Tom. (10 February 2008). "Recalling the Maharishi and Carville's Killer Ad". The New York Times.
4. ''The Pennsylvania Manual'', p. 671.
5. ''The Pennsylvania Manual'', p. 633.