Akashic EdgeAKASHIC EDGE
ElectionsCandidates
HistorianCartographer2026 ForecastArticlesAPIPricing

Latest Articles

    View all articles →

    Browse by Category

      Data Tools

      • Elections
      • Candidates
      • The Historian
      • The Cartographer
      • American Nations
      • States & Counties
      • Congressional Districts

      About

      Akashic HQ provides deep political data analysis covering 165 years of U.S. elections.

      • Data Sources & Methodology
      • Pricing
      • API Documentation
      • Contact

      © 2026 Akashic HQ. All rights reserved.

      Data: MIT Election Lab, VEST, Census Bureau
      Home/Elections/1986/US Senate/North Carolina
      1986·US Senate·North Carolina

      North Carolina US Senate

      Winner
      DEM
      Terry Sanford
      51.8%823,662 votes
      Runner-up
      REP
      James T \ Broyhill
      48.2%767,668 votes
      Margin
      D+3.5
      1,591,330 total votes
      2 candidates1,591,330 total votes
      CandidatePartyVotes ▼%Vote Share
      Terry SanfordDEM✓
      DEM823,66251.8%
      James T \ BroyhillREP
      REP767,66848.2%

      Seat History

      US Senate in North Carolina(Class I)

      2022
      Ted BuddREP
      R+3.2
      2020
      Thom TillisREP
      R+1.8
      2016
      Richard M BurrREP
      R+5.7
      2014
      Thom TillisREP
      R+1.6
      2010
      Richard M BurrREP
      R+11.8
      2008
      Kay R HaganDEM
      D+8.5
      2004
      Richard M BurrREP
      R+4.6
      2002
      Elizabeth DoleREP
      R+8.6
      1998
      John EdwardsDEM
      D+4.1
      1996
      Jesse HelmsREP
      R+6.7
      1992
      Lauch FairclothREP
      R+4.0
      1990
      Jesse HelmsREP
      R+5.1
      1984
      Jesse HelmsREP
      R+3.9
      1980
      John P. EastREP
      R+0.6
      View all US Senate history for North Carolina →

      Candidates

      Terry SanfordDEM
      Record1W-2L
      Avg MarginR+3.5
      Career1960-1992
      US Senate / Governor
      Full profile →
      James T \ BroyhillREP
      Record5W-1L
      Avg MarginD+3.5
      Career1976-1986
      US Senate / US House
      Full profile →

      Also in North Carolina, 1986

      US House11 contests →
      ← All 1986 US Senate races1986 overviewNorth Carolina profileAll elections