1986 North Carolina's 10th congressional district special election

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1986 North Carolina's 10th congressional district special election
← 1984 November 4, 1986 1986 →
 
Nominee Cass Ballenger Lester D. Roark
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 82,973 61,204
Percentage 57.55% 42.45%
Representative before election

Jim Broyhill

 Elected Representative


Cass Ballenger
Republican

A special election to the United States House of Representatives for North Carolina's 10th congressional district was held November 4, 1986.

The winning candidate would serve briefly in the United States House of Representatives to represent North Carolina in the 99th Congress until the General election on January 3, 1987, however Cass Ballenger won the general election for the seat which occurred on the same day as the special election to win election to a full 2-year term until January 3, 1989.

Background[edit]

On July 14, 1986, Incumbent U.S. Representative Jim Broyhill retired after being appointed by then-Governor of North Carolina James G. Martin to the United States Senate succeeding the late-U.S. Senator John Porter East, who died of suicide.[1] A special election was held to fill the vacancy caused by his appointment.

Democratic primary[edit]

Candidates[edit]

Nominee[edit]

  • Lester D. Roark, former Shelby Mayor and City Council member

Eliminated in Primary[edit]

  • Jack L. Rhyne, nominee for this seat in 1974
  • Ted A. Poovey, candidate for this seat in 1984
  • Denny R. Hickman
  • Steve Dolley Jr., lawyer

Results[edit]

Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lester D. Roark 14,834 40.06%
Democratic Jack L. Rhyne 10,865 29.34%
Democratic Steve Dolley Jr. 7,055 19.05%
Democratic Ted A. Poovey 2,896 7.82%
Democratic Denny R. Hickman 1,384 3.74%
Total votes 37,034 100.00%
Democratic primary runoff results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lester D. Roark 10,103 65.97%
Democratic Jack L. Rhyne 5,221 34.03%
Total votes 15,324 100.00%

Republican primary[edit]

Candidates[edit]

Nominee[edit]

  • Cass Ballenger, former state senator (1977-1985) and former state representative (1975-1977)

Eliminated in Primary[edit]

Results[edit]

Republican primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cass Ballenger 14,703 53.30%
Republican George S. Robinson 11,654 42.25%
Republican W. Hall Young 1,288 4.45%
Total votes 27,585 100%

General election[edit]

1986 North Carolina's 10th congressional district special election[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Cass Ballenger 82,973 57.55% -15.81%
Democratic Lester D. Roark 61,205 42.25% +15.82%
Turnout 144,178 100.00%
Republican hold

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Edward Walsh (July 4, 1986). "Rep. Broyhill Is Appointed To Succeed East". Washington Post.
  2. ^ "NC District 10 - D Primary". Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  3. ^ "NC District 10 - D Runoff". Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  4. ^ "NC District 10 - R Primary". Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "NC District 10 - Special Election". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
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