1986Final results
1986 election for Indiana's 1st District
U.S. House · Indiana
Peter J. Visclosky (D) won with 73.4% of the vote, defeating William Bill Costas (R) by 47.8 points.
Peter J. ViscloskyDemocrat · winner
73.4%86,983
William Bill CostasRepublican
25.7%30,395
James E. WillisLibertarian
0.6%660
Tracy E. KyleOther party
0.3%403
118,441 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1986
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Peter J. ViscloskyWilliam Bill Costas
$158.5K
Raised by the campaign
$63.6K
$163.3K
Spent by the campaign
$63.5K
$14.3K
Cash on hand
$90
Other candidates' campaigns: James E. Willis $548.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986
The candidates
Peter J. Visclosky (D)William Bill Costas (R)
Also on the ballot: James E. Willis (Libertarian), 0.6%; Tracy E. Kyle (Other party), 0.3%