1986Final results
1986 election for Rhode Island House District 51
Rhode Island House of Representatives · Rhode Island
Mary Lou Walter (R) won with 68.6% of the vote, defeating Edward F. McGovern Jr. (D) by 37.3 points.
Mary Lou WalterRepublican · winner · incumbent
68.6%2,658
Edward F. McGovern Jr.Democrat
31.4%1,214
3,872 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