1986Flipped from RepublicanFinal results

1986 election for U.S. Senate in Florida

Name: 1986 election for U.S. Senate in Florida
Start: 1986-11-04
Location: Florida

U.S. Senate · Florida

Bob Graham (D) won with 54.7% of the vote, defeating Paula Hawkins (R) by 9.5 points, a seat Republicans won last time.

Bob GrahamDemocrat · winner

54.7%1,877,543

45.3%1,552,376

3,429,996 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

Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET

Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.

Bob GrahamPaula Hawkins

$6.2M

Raised by the campaign

$6.6M

$6.2M

Spent by the campaign

$6.7M

$42.2K

Cash on hand

$29.9K

Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.

Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986