United States gubernatorial elections, 1987

The gubernatorial elections in the United States in 1987 took place between 24 October and 3 November 1987. Was chosen in the states of Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi. In all three cases were as four years earlier by the candidate of the Democratic Party.

Of the three incumbents sought only Edwin Edwards in Louisiana re-election at. After a difficult tenure, during which he had to contend with an accusation by a federal prosecutor and problematic public finances, its popularity, however, was greatly diminished. In the Jungle Primary, the area code, in which several members of a party can run, he then had to do it not only with Republican Congressman Bob Livingston, but with four strong intra-party rivals: Congressman Buddy Roemer and Billy Tauzin, the Secretary of State Jim Brown and Speedy O. Long, ex- Congressman and cousin of Huey Pierce Long.

Nevertheless, it was considered certain that Edwards would, given his reputation, at least reach the final ballot; it turned out to only the question of who would be there his opponent. He hoped to Livingston, especially since a Republican was elected governor of Louisiana since Reconstruction only. Ultimately, it ran but out on Buddy Roemer, who had said during a panel discussion that he would support in a runoff election every candidate except Edwards. Popular also be uttered on this occasion slogan "We've got to slay the dragon" was ("we must kill the dragon ").

Roemer finished in the Jungle Primary with 33.2 percent in first place, followed by Edwards ( 27.9 ), Livingston ( 18.5 ), Tauzin ( 9.9 ) and Brown ( 8.9 ). Thus, it would come to the runoff between Roemer and Edwards, but the Governor refrained from making Roemer automatically won the election. This was seen as a political move by Edwards, because he is so prevented the expected landslide victory for Roemer. This changed his party affiliation during the next term of office and became Republicans.

Far less spectacular was the election in Mississippi. There the four years before winning William Allain had initiated a constitutional amendment, according to which it was now a governor possible to complete two terms. But he himself made no use of it, so that gained victory in his place Ray Mabus, the State Auditor ( Auditor General ) of Mississippi, a candidate for the Democrats and 53.4 percent of the vote. His opponent, Republican Jack Reed, scored with a share of 46.6 per cent a moderate success in the State continuously from Democrats ruled since 1876.

Martha Layne Collins In Kentucky difference constitutionally after four years out of office. To the Democratic nomination who applied her predecessor John Brown, with Julian Carroll, another ex-governor and lieutenant governor Steve Beshear as well as an unknown outsider Wallace G. Wilkinson, a politically inexperienced businessman. Quite surprisingly, made ​​Wilkinson, who was supported by the popular Old Governor Happy Chandler, the race and then won the actual election by a large margin. He came to 64.5 percent of the vote, Republican John R. Harper only to 34.9 percent.