Harry Hughes Democratic William Donald Schaefer Democratic The 1986 Maryland gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986.

Democratic nominee William Donald Schaefer defeated Republican nominee Thomas J. Mooney with 82.37% of the vote.

To date this is the largest percentage total ever for a contested statewide election in Maryland.

As of 2023[update], this was the last time a candidate from either party carried every county in a gubernatorial election, and the last time the Democratic candidate won a majority of counties in a gubernatorial election.

He is also the last Democrat to win the following counties: Garrett, Washington, Carroll, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, and Somerset.