1986 Ohio State Treasurer election

1986 Ohio State Treasurer election

November 4, 1986

Nominee Mary Ellen Withrow Jeff Jacobs Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,648,569 1,352,611 Percentage 54.93% 45.07%

County results Withrow:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Jacobs:      50–60%      60–70%

Ohio State Treasurer before election Mary Ellen Withrow Democratic Elected Ohio State Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow Democratic

The 1986 Ohio State Treasurer election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect the Ohio State Treasurer. Primaries were held on May 6, 1986. Democratic incumbent Ohio State Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow won re-election, defeating Republican Ohio State House Representative Jeff Jacobs by a comfortable margin of nine percentage points.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Mary Ellen Withrow, incumbent Ohio State Treasurer (1983–1994)
• Bryan E. Icard

Campaign

Withrow easily won renomination, defeating her primary challenger Bryan E. Icard by over 60 percentage points.

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mary Ellen Withrow	536,964	82.62%
	Democratic	Bryan E. Icard	112,947	17.38%
Total votes			649,911	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jeff Jacobs, Ohio State House Representative (1983–1986)

Campaign

Jacobs won the Republican nomination unopposed.

Results

Republican primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jeff Jacobs	503,355	100.00%
Total votes			503,355	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Mary Ellen Withrow, incumbent Ohio State Treasurer (1983–1994) (Democratic)
• Jeff Jacobs, Ohio State House Representative (1983–1986) (Republican)

Results

1986 Ohio State Treasurer election results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Mary Ellen Withrow	1,648,569	54.93%	+6.88%
	Republican	Jeff Jacobs	1,352,611	45.07%	−0.77%
Total votes			3,001,180	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Democratic Primary: May 6, 1986 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
2. "Republican Primary: May 6, 1986 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
3. "General Election: November 4, 1986 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2025.