 
A special election to the United States House of Representatives for North Carolina's 10th congressional district was held November 4, 1986.
The winning candidate would serve briefly in the United States House of Representatives to represent North Carolina in the 99th Congress until the General election on January 3, 1987, however Cass Ballenger won the general election for the seat which occurred on the same day as the special election to win election to a full 2-year term until January 3, 1989.
Background.
On July 14, 1986, Incumbent U.S. Representative Jim Broyhill retired after being appointed by then-Governor of North Carolina James G. Martin to the United States Senate succeeding the late-U.S. Senator John Porter East, who died of suicide. A special election was held to fill the vacancy caused by his appointment.
Democratic primary.
Results.
! scope="col" colspan="2" style="width: 15em" |Party
! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |Votes
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
! scope="col" colspan="2" style="width: 15em" |Party
! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |Votes
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
Republican primary.
Results.
! scope="col" colspan="2" style="width: 15em" |Party
! scope="col" style="width: 17em" |Candidate
! scope="col" style="width: 5em" |Votes
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em" |%
! colspan="3" style="text-align:right;" | Total votes
General election.
! scope="col" colspan="2" style="width: 130px"|Party
! scope="col" style="width: 17em"|Candidate
! scope="col" style="width: 5em"|Votes
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em"|%
! scope="col" style="width: 3.5em"| ;templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" / ;±%
! colspan="3" style="text-align: right; margin-right: 0.5em" scope=row | Turnout