1986Final results
1986 election for U.S. Senate in Idaho
U.S. Senate · Idaho
Steven Symms (R) won with 51.6% of the vote, defeating John V. Evans (D) by 3.1 points.
Steven SymmsRepublican · winner
51.6%196,958
John V. EvansDemocrat
48.4%185,066
382,024 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.
John V. EvansSteven Symms
$2.2M
Raised by the campaign
$3.4M
$2.1M
Spent by the campaign
$3.2M
$54.2K
Cash on hand
$188.4K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986