1986 United States Senate election in Vermont

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Patrick Leahy, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Liberty Union primary

Candidates

• Jerry Levy, sociologist and perennial candidate

Results

Republican primary

The popular former Governor of Vermont, Richard A. Snelling, had faced pressure from national Republicans to enter the race, but had spent the majority of 1985 convinced that he would not be a candidate. In October 1985, however, encouraged by figures such as New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici and President of the United States Ronald Reagan, Snelling changed his mind and entered the race, claiming that a lack of action over the United States national deficit had encouraged him to run.

Candidates

• Richard A. Snelling, former Governor of Vermont
• Anthony N. Doria, founder of the Vermont Law School and perennial candidate

Results

General election

Campaign

Both Leahy and Snelling were well-respected and highly popular in Vermont, and the general feeling was that they would both make good Senators. However, Snelling was felt to be at a disadvantage for several reasons, including the fact that his main campaign plank was deficit reduction, which The Caledonian-Record noted Leahy was already a well-known advocate for, and the fact that Leahy had acquired a reputation as one of the Senate's most knowledgeable figures on the issue of nuclear proliferation, an issue which the Brattleboro Reformer noted Snelling had no experience with.

Snelling frequently attacked Leahy by calling him a "liberal" during the campaign, part of a broader strategy of negative campaigning against the incumbent.

Candidates

• Anthony Doria (C), perennial candidate
• Patrick Leahy (D), incumbent U.S. Senator
• Jerry Levy (LU), sociologist and perennial candidate
• Richard A. Snelling (R), former Governor of Vermont

Endorsements

State officials

• Tom Harkin, U.S. Senator from Iowa Labor unions
• Vermont Nurses Association Organizations
• Democratic Senate Campaign Committee
• Vermont Audubon Council
• Vermont Natural Resources Council
• Vermont Sierra Club Executive officials
• Ronald Reagan, President of the United States
• James Baker, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury State officials
• John McClaughry, state senator

Results

References

References

1. "Official Report of the Canvassing Committee United States and Statewide Offices - Primary Election, September 9, 1986".
2. (October 18, 1985). "Snelling announces candidacy for Senate".
3. (October 18, 1985). "Democrats say Snelling bowing to pressure".
4. (October 28, 1985). "Senate Battle Sparks Diverse Opinions". Rutland Herald.
5. (November 6, 1986). "A great victory for Pat Leahy".
6. (October 21, 1986). "Sen. Harkin campaigns for Sen. Leahy". Rutland Daily Herald.
7. (July 11, 1986). "State Nurses' Association endorses Leahy re-election".
8. (March 11, 1986). "Conservations Endorse Leahy in Senate Race".
9. (October 22, 1986). "Vermont off Reagan's schedule".
10. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 1986". Clerk of the House of Representatives.