A Massachusetts general election was held on November 4, 1986 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The election included: statewide elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, Secretary of the Commonwealth, treasurer, and auditor; district elections for U.S. Representatives, State Representatives, State Senators, and Governor's Councillors; and ballot questions at the state and local levels. Democratic and Republican candidates were selected in party primaries held September 16, 1986. Governor & Lieutenant Governor Democrats Michael Dukakis and Evelyn Murphy were elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively, over Republican candidates George Kariotis and Nicholas Nikitas. Dukakis' victory made him the longest-serving governor in the history of Massachusetts. Attorney General Democrat James Shannon was elected attorney general. He defeated former assistant attorney general Joann Shotwell in the Democratic primary and U.S. Attorney Edward Francis Harrington in the general election. Democratic primary Candidates James Shannon, former U.S. Representative from Lowell and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1984 Joann Shotwell, former Assistant Attorney General Results General election Candidates Edward Francis Harrington, former Democratic U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts (Republican) James Shannon, former U.S. Representative from Lowell and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1984 (Democratic) Results Secretary of the Commonwealth Incumbent Secretary of the Commonwealth Michael J. Connolly defeated former State Representative Deborah R. Cochran in the general election. General election Candidates Deborah R. Cochran, former State Representative from Dedham (Republican) Michael J. Connolly, incumbent Secretary of the Commonwealth (Democratic) Results Treasurer and Receiver-General Incumbent Treasurer and Receiver-General Robert Q. Crane defeated Republican L. Joyce Hampers in the general election. General election Candidates Robert Q. Crane, incumbent Treasurer since 1964 (Democratic) L. Joyce Hampers (Republican) Results Auditor Incumbent Auditor John J. Finnegan did not run for reelection. Democrat A. Joseph DeNucci defeated Boston City Councilors Maura Hennigan and Charles Yancey in the Democratic primary and House Minority Leader William G. Robinson in the general election. Democratic primary Candidates A. Joseph DeNucci, State Representative from Newton and former professional boxer Maura Hennigan, member of the Boston City Council at-large Charles Yancey, member of the Boston City Council Results Republican primary Candidates William G. Robinson, State Representative from Melrose and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Andrew Natsios, State Representative from Holliston and chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party Results General election Ballot questions Question 1 Proposed Legislative Amendment to the Constitution - The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the legislature to prohibit or regulate abortions