Since Virginia's state constitution limits governors to non-consecutive single terms in office, Baliles ran to succeed Robb and won both the Democratic primary and general election. In the 1985 election Baliles led a diverse Democratic slate, with Douglas Wilder as Lieutenant Governor (the first African-American to hold that office) and Mary Sue Terry as attorney general (the first woman to hold that office). They defeated the white male Republican slate led by delegate Wyatt Durrette. Baliles won 55.2% of the gubernatorial vote.