1986Final resultsIncumbent defeated
1986 election for Indiana House District 48
Indiana House of Representatives · Indiana
3 seats: R. Michael Young (R), Donald T. Nelson (R), Joyce Brinkman (R) won.
3 seatsR. Michael YoungRepublican · winner
26.8%29,886
Donald T. NelsonRepublican · winner · incumbent
26.7%29,830
Joyce BrinkmanRepublican · winner
26.2%29,229
James W. RichardsonDemocrat
16.3%18,226
Paul E. BurkleyDemocrat · incumbent
4.1%4,539
111,710 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1986
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
R. Michael Young (R)Donald T. Nelson (R)Joyce Brinkman (R)James W. Richardson (D)
Also on the ballot: Paul E. Burkley (Democrat), 4.1%