1986Final results
1986 election for U.S. Senate in Illinois
U.S. Senate · Illinois
Alan Dixon (D) won with 65.1% of the vote, defeating Judy Koehler (R) by 31.4 points.
Alan DixonDemocrat · winner
65.1%2,033,783
Judy KoehlerRepublican
33.7%1,053,734
Elinar V. DyhrkoppOther party
0.5%15,804
Donald M. Parrish Jr.Libertarian
0.4%13,891
Omari MusaSocialist Workers
0.2%5,671
3,122,883 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.
Alan DixonJudy Koehler
$2.2M
Raised by the campaign
$873.3K
$1.9M
Spent by the campaign
$851.3K
$408.4K
Cash on hand
$20.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986
The candidates
Alan Dixon (D)Judy Koehler (R)
Also on the ballot: Elinar V. Dyhrkopp (Other party), 0.5%; Donald M. Parrish Jr. (Libertarian), 0.4%; Omari Musa (Socialist Workers), 0.2%