Virginia gubernatorial election, 1985

← 1981 November 5, 1985 1989 →
 
Nominee Gerald Baililes Wyatt Durrette
Party Democratic Republican
Home state Virginia Virginia
Popular vote 741,438 601,652
Percentage 55.1%

44.8%

The results of the 1985 Virginia gubernatorial election, Red counties represent Durette, and blue represents Baililes.

Governor before election

Charles Robb
Democratic

Elected Governor

Doug Wilder
Democratic

The Virginia gubernatorial election of 1985 saw two historic firsts for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Douglas Wilder was elected to serve as Lieutenant Governor. Wilder was the first African-American to win a state-wide election in Virginia. Mary Sue Terry was elected as Commonwealth's Attorney; she was the first woman elected in a state-wide race in the Commonwealth. Gerald L. Baliles won the race for Governor. All three candidates were members of the Democratic Party.


The Republican Party nominated Wyatt Durrette for Governor, John Chichester for Lieutenant Governor, and W.R. "Buster" O'Brien for Commonwealth's Attorney.

Governor's Race

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Virginia gubernatorial election, 1985
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Baililes 896,936 50.19
Republican Wyatt Durette 890,195 49.81

Lieutenant Governor's Race

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Virginia Lieutenant Governor, 1985
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic L. Douglas Wilder 896,936 50.19
Republican John Chichester 890,195 49.81

Wilder's margin of victory was the slimmest of the three candidates. His position as Lueitenant Govenor positioned him to become a the first African American ever elected Governor of a U.S. State and just second to serve at such post. He briefly sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992, and later served as Mayor of Richmond from 2005 to 2009.

Attorney General's Race

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Virginia Lieutenant Governor, 1985
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mary Sue Terry 896,936 50.19
Republican W.A. "Buster" O'Brien 890,195 49.81


References

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Category:1985 elections in the United States 1985