1986Final results
1986 election for Texas's 7th District
U.S. House · Texas
Bill Archer (R) won with 87.4% of the vote, defeating Harry Kniffen (D) by 75.5 points.
Bill ArcherRepublican · winner
87.4%129,673
Harry KniffenDemocrat
11.9%17,635
Roger PlailLibertarian
0.7%1,087
148,395 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.
No DemocratBill Archer
—
Raised by the campaign
$281.7K
—
Spent by the campaign
$152.8K
—
Cash on hand
$540.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986