1982 United States gubernatorial elections

1982 United States gubernatorial elections

←  1981 November 2, 1982 1983  →
38 governorships 36 states; 2 territories
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Seats before 27 23 Seats after 34 16 Seat change 7 7 Seats up 20 16 Seats won 27 9
Republican hold   Republican gain   Democratic hold   Democratic gain

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 2, 1982, in 36 states and two territories. The Democratic party had a net gain of seven seats. This election coincided with the Senate and the House elections. As of 2025, this remains the last election cycle in which a Republican won the governorship of Oregon.

Election results

States

State	Incumbent	Party	First elected	Result	Candidates
Alabama	Fob James	Democratic	1978	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y George Wallace (Democratic) 57.6% Emory Folmar (Republican) 39.1% Leo Suiter (Alabama Conservative) 1.6% Henry Klingler (Libertarian) 0.7% John Jackson (Alabama Nat'l Democrat) 0.4% John Dyer (Prohibition) 0.4% Martin J. Boyers (Socialist Workers) 0.2%
Alaska	Jay Hammond	Republican	1974	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Bill Sheffield (Democratic) 46.1% Tom Fink (Republican) 37.1% Dick Randolph (Libertarian) 14.9% Joe Vogler (Alaskan Ind.) 1.7%
Arizona	Bruce Babbitt	Democratic	1978 [a]	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Bruce Babbitt (Democratic) 62.5% Leo Corbet (Republican) 32.5% Sam Steiger (Libertarian) 5.0%
Arkansas	Frank D. White	Republican	1980	Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Bill Clinton (Democratic) 54.7% Frank D. White (Republican) 45.3%
California	Jerry Brown	Democratic	1974	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y George Deukmejian (R) 49.3% Tom Bradley (D) 48.1% Don P. Dougherty (L) 1.0% Elizabeth Martinez (PF) 0.9% James C. Griffin (AI) 0.7%
Colorado	Richard Lamm	Democratic	1974	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Richard Lamm (Democratic) 65.7% John Fuhr (Republican) 31.2% Paul K. Grant (Libertarian) 2.0% Earl Dodge (Prohibition) 0.4% Alan Gummerson (Socialist Workers) 0.3%
Connecticut	William A. O'Neill	Democratic	1980 [b]	Incumbent elected to full term.	Y William A. O'Neill (Democratic) 53.7% Lewis B. Rome (Republican) 46.3%
Florida	Bob Graham	Democratic	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Bob Graham (Democratic) 64.7% Skip Bafalis (Republican) 35.3%
Georgia	George Busbee	Democratic	1974	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y Joe Frank Harris (Democratic) 62.8% Robert H. Bell (Republican) 37.2%
Hawaii	George Ariyoshi	Democratic	1974	Incumbent re-elected.	Y George Ariyoshi (Democratic) 45.2% Frank Fasi (Independent Democrat) 28.6% D. G. Anderson (Republican) 26.1%
Idaho	John Evans	Democratic	1977 [c]	Incumbent re-elected.	Y John Evans (Democratic) 52.9% Phil Batt (Republican) 47.1%
Illinois	James R. Thompson	Republican	1976	Incumbent re-elected.	Y James R. Thompson (Republican) 49.44% Adlai Stevenson III (Democratic) 49.30% Bea Armstrong (Libertarian) 0.67% John E. Roche (U.S. Taxpayers) 0.60%
Iowa	Robert D. Ray	Republican	1968	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Republican hold.	Y Terry Branstad (Republican) 52.8% Roxanne Conlin (Democratic) 46.6% Marcia Farrington (Libertarian) 0.3% Jim Bittner (Socialist) 0.3%
Kansas	John W. Carlin	Democratic	1976	Incumbent re-elected.	Y John W. Carlin (Democratic) 53.2% Sam Hardage (Republican) 44.5% James H. Ward (Libertarian) 1.0% Frank Shelton (American) 0.8% Warren C. Martin (Prohibition) 0.6%
Maine	Joseph E. Brennan	Democratic	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Joseph E. Brennan (Democratic) 61.9% Charles R. Cragin (Republican) 38.1% Venn Warren (Independent) 0.6% J. Martin "Marty" Vachon (Independent) 0.6%
Maryland	Harry Hughes	Democratic	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Harry Hughes (Democratic) 62.0% Robert A. Pascal (Republican) 38.0%
Massachusetts	Edward J. King	Democratic	1978	Incumbent lost re-nomination. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y Michael Dukakis (Democratic) 59.5% John W. Sears (Republican) 36.6% Frank Rich (Independent) 3.1% Rebecca Shipman (Libertarian) 0.9%
Michigan	William Milliken	Republican	1969 [d]	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y James Blanchard (Democratic) 51.4% Richard Headlee (Republican) 45.1% Robert Tisch (Tisch Ind. Citizens) 2.6% Dick Jacobs (Libertarian) 0.5% James Phillips (American Ind.) 0.2% Leslie E. Craine (Socialist Workers) 0.1% Martin P. McLaughlin (Workers League) 0.1%
Minnesota	Al Quie	Republican	1978	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Rudy Perpich (Democratic) 58.6% Wheelock Whitney (Republican) 40.0% Kathy Wheeler (Socialist Workers) 0.6% Tom McDonald (Honest Government) 0.5% Franklin H. Haws (Libertarian) 0.4%
Nebraska	Charles Thone	Republican	1978	Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Bob Kerrey (Democratic) 50.7% Charles Thone (Republican) 49.3%
Nevada	Robert List	Republican	1978	Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Richard Bryan (Democratic) 53.4% Robert List (Republican) 41.8% None of These Candidates 2.9% Dan Becan (Libertarian) 1.9%
New Hampshire	Hugh Gallen	Democratic	1978	Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y John H. Sununu (Republican) 51.5% Hugh Gallen (Democratic) 46.8% Meldrim Thomson Jr. (Independent) 1.7%
New Mexico	Bruce King	Democratic	1970 1974 (term-limited) 1978	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y Toney Anaya (Democratic) 53.0% John B. Irick (Republican) 47.0%
New York	Hugh Carey	Democratic	1974	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic hold.	Y Mario Cuomo (Democratic) 50.9% Lewis Lehrman (Republican) 47.5% Robert J. Bohner (Right to Life) 1.0% John H. Northrup (Libertarian) 0.3% Jane Benedict (Unity) 0.1% Nancy Ross (New Alliance) 0.1% Diane Wang (Socialist Workers) 0.1%
Ohio	Jim Rhodes	Republican	1962 1970 (term-limited) 1974	Incumbent term-limited. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Dick Celeste (Democratic) 59.0% Bud Brown (Republican) 38.9% Phyllis Goetz (Libertarian) 1.2% Kurt O. Landefiled (Independent) 0.5% Erwin Reupert (Independent) 0.4%
Oklahoma	George Nigh	Democratic	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y George Nigh (Democratic) 62.1% Tom Daxon (Republican) 37.6% Allah-U Akbar Allah-U Wahid (Independent) 0.3%
Oregon	Victor Atiyeh	Republican	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Victor Atiyeh (Republican) 63.1% Ted Kulongoski (Democratic) 36.9%
Pennsylvania	Dick Thornburgh	Republican	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Dick Thornburgh (Republican) 50.8% Allen E. Ertel (Democratic) 48.1% Mark Zola (Socialist Workers) 0.4% Lee Frissell (Consumer) 0.4% Richard D. Fuerle (Libertarian) 0.3%
Rhode Island	J. Joseph Garrahy	Democratic	1976	Incumbent re-elected.	Y J. Joseph Garrahy (Democratic) 73.3% Vincent Marzullo (Republican) 23.6% Hilary R. Salk (Independent) 2.1% Peter Van Daam (Independent) 1.0%
South Carolina	Richard Riley	Democratic	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Richard Riley (Democratic) 69.8% W. D. Workman Jr. (Republican) 30.2%
South Dakota	Bill Janklow	Republican	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Bill Janklow (Republican) 70.9% Michael J. O'Connor (Democratic) 29.1%
Tennessee	Lamar Alexander	Republican	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Lamar Alexander (Republican) 59.6% Randy Tyree (Democratic) 40.4%
Texas	Bill Clements	Republican	1978	Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Mark White (Democratic) 53.2% Bill Clements (Republican) 45.9% David Hutzelman (Libertarian) 0.6% Bob Poteet (U.S. Taxpayers) 0.3%
Vermont	Richard A. Snelling	Republican	1976	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Richard A. Snelling (Republican) 55.0% Madeleine Kunin (Democratic) 44.0% Richard Gottlieb (Liberty Union) 0.5% John L. Buttolph III (Libertarian) 0.5%
Wisconsin	Lee S. Dreyfus	Republican	1978	Incumbent retired. New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Tony Earl (Democratic) 56.8% Terry Kohler (Republican) 42.0% Larry Smiley (Libertarian) 0.6% James Wickstrom (U.S. Taxpayers) 0.5% Peter Seidman (Socialist Workers) 0.2%
Wyoming	Edgar Herschler	Democratic	1974	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Edgar Herschler (Democratic) 63.1% Warren A. Morton (Republican) 36.9%

Territories and federal district

Territory	Incumbent	Party	First elected	Result	Candidates
District of Columbia	Marion Barry	Democratic	1978	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Marion Barry (Democratic) 81.0% E. Brooke Lee Jr. (Republican) 14.1% Dennis S. Sobin (Independent) 2.3% Glenn B. White (Socialist Workers) 1.3%
Guam	Paul M. Calvo	Republican	1978	Incumbent lost re-election. [1] New governor elected. Democratic gain.	Y Ricardo Bordallo (Democratic) 52.4% Paul McDonald Calvo (Republican) 47.6%
U.S. Virgin Islands	Juan Francisco Luis	Independent	1978 [e]	Incumbent re-elected. [2]	Y Juan Francisco Luis (Independent) 100%

Close states

States where the margin of victory was under 1%:

1. Illinois, 0.14%

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

1. California, 1.2%
2. Nebraska, 1.4%
3. New York, 2.4%
4. Pennsylvania, 2.7%
5. New Hampshire, 4.7%
6. Guam, 4.8%

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. Idaho, 5.8%
2. New Mexico, 6.0%
3. Iowa, 6.2%
4. Michigan, 6.3%
5. Texas, 7.3%
6. Connecticut, 7.4%
7. Kansas, 8.7%
8. Alaska, 9.0%
9. Arkansas, 9.4%

Alabama

1982 Alabama gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 (1982-11-02) 1986  →

Nominee George Wallace Emory Folmar Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 650,538 440,815 Percentage 57.6% 39.1%

County results Wallace:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Folmar:     40–50%     50–60%

Governor before election Fob James Democratic Elected Governor George Wallace Democratic

The 1982 Alabama gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982, to elect the governor of Alabama. Incumbent Democrat Fob James declined to run for re-election; he later successfully ran again in 1994 as a Republican. The open seat election saw former Democratic governor George Wallace, who narrowly won the Democratic primary, defeat Republican Emory Folmar, the Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama.

Alaska

1982 Alaska gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Bill Sheffield Tom Fink Dick Randolph Party Democratic Republican Libertarian Running mate Steve McAlpine Mike Colletta Donnis Thompson Popular vote 89,918 72,291 29,067 Percentage 46.12% 37.09% 14.91%

Results by state house district Sheffield:      30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Fink:      30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Jay Hammond Republican Elected Governor Bill Sheffield Democratic

The 1982 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982, for the post of Governor of Alaska. To replace outgoing Republican governor Jay Hammond, Democratic nominee Bill Sheffield defeated three opponents: Republican nominee Tom Fink, Libertarian nominee Dick Randolph and Alaskan Independence Party nominee Joe Vogler. Hammond had endorsed his lieutenant governor, Terry Miller, who lost the Republican nomination to Fink in the primary election, as did Don Wright. Sheffield defeated Steve Cowper and former Lieutenant Governor H. A. Boucher for the Democratic nomination.

Arizona

1982 Arizona gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Bruce Babbitt Leo Corbet Sam Steiger Party Democratic Republican Libertarian Popular vote 453,795 235,877 36,649 Percentage 62.5% 32.5% 5.1%

County results Babbitt:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election Bruce Babbitt Democratic Elected Governor Bruce Babbitt Democratic

The 1982 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982, for the post of Governor of Arizona. Democratic incumbent Bruce Babbitt defeated Republican nominee Leo Corbet and Libertarian candidate and former U.S. Representative Sam Steiger. Evan Mecham unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination. This was the last time until 2002 that a Democrat was elected governor of Arizona, and the last time a male Democrat was elected governor.

Arkansas

1982 Arkansas gubernatorial election

←  1980 November 2, 1982 1984  →

Nominee Bill Clinton Frank D. White Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 431,855 357,496 Percentage 54.71% 45.29%

County results Clinton:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% White:     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Frank D. White Republican Elected Governor Bill Clinton Democratic

The 1982 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Former Democratic governor Bill Clinton regained the position after having narrowly been defeated by Republican candidate Frank D. White at the previous election. Clinton held the position from January 1983 until he resigned after being elected president in 1992. As of 2025, this is the last time that an incumbent governor of Arkansas lost re-election.

California

1982 California gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee George Deukmejian Tom Bradley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 3,881,014 3,787,669 Percentage 49.28% 48.09%

County results Deukmejian:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70% Bradley:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Jerry Brown Democratic Elected Governor George Deukmejian Republican

The 1982 California gubernatorial election occurred on November 2, 1982. The Republican nominee, Attorney General George Deukmejian, narrowly defeated the Democratic nominee, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. Incumbent Governor Jerry Brown did not seek reelection to a third consecutive term; he later successfully ran again in 2010 and 2014.

Colorado

1982 Colorado gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Richard Lamm John Fuhr Party Democratic Republican Running mate Nancy Dick Robert E. Denier Popular vote 627,960 302,740 Percentage 65.69% 31.67%

County results Lamm:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Fuhr:     40–50%     50–60%

Governor before election Richard Lamm Democratic Elected Governor Richard Lamm Democratic

The 1982 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democrat Richard Lamm defeated Republican nominee John Fuhr with 65.69% of the vote.

Connecticut

1982 Connecticut gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Bill O'Neill Lewis Rome Party Democratic Republican Running mate Joseph J. Fauliso Gerald Labriola Popular vote 578,264 497,773 Percentage 53.35% 45.93%

County results Municipality results O'Neill:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Rome:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election Bill O'Neill Democratic Elected Governor Bill O'Neill Democratic

The 1982 Connecticut gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democratic governor Bill O'Neill had assumed the governor's office in 1980 after Ella Grasso resigned due to poor health. Grasso died just weeks later on February 5, 1981. Governor O'Neill defeated former Connecticut state senator Lewis Rome for his first full term in the governor's office.

Florida

1982 Florida gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Bob Graham Skip Bafalis Party Democratic Republican Running mate Wayne Mixson Leo Callahan Popular vote 1,739,553 949,013 Percentage 64.70% 35.30%

County results Graham:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Bafalis:      50–60%

Governor before election Bob Graham Democratic Elected Governor Bob Graham Democratic

The 1982 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democratic governor Bob Graham was re-elected in a landslide, defeating Republican nominee Skip Bafalis with 64.70% of the vote.

Georgia

1982 Georgia gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Joe Frank Harris Robert H. Bell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 734,090 434,496 Percentage 62.82% 37.18%

County results Harris:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Bell:      50–60%

Governor before election George Busbee Democratic Elected Governor Joe Frank Harris Democratic

The 1982 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Joe Frank Harris was elected as the 78th Governor of Georgia.

Hawaii

1982 Hawaii gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee George Ariyoshi Frank Fasi D. G. Anderson Party Democratic Independent Democrat Republican Running mate John D. Waihee III Randy A. K. Piltz Pat Saiki Popular vote 141,043 89,303 81,507 Percentage 45.2% 28.6% 26.1%

County results Ariyoshi:     40–50%     50–60%

Governor before election George Ariyoshi Democratic Elected Governor George Ariyoshi Democratic

The 1982 Hawaii gubernatorial election was Hawaii's seventh gubernatorial election. The election was held on November 2, 1982, and resulted in a victory for the Democratic candidate, governor George Ariyoshi, over Frank Fasi, running as an Independent Democrat, and the Republican candidate, state senator D. G. Anderson. ^[3] Ariyoshi received more votes than any other candidate in every county in the state. ^[4]

Idaho

1982 Idaho gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee John V. Evans Phil Batt Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 165,365 161,157 Percentage 50.6% 49.4%

County results Evans:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Batt:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election John V. Evans Democratic Elected Governor John V. Evans Democratic

The 1982 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 2. ^{[5] [6]} Incumbent Democrat John V. Evans narrowly defeated Republican nominee Phil Batt with 50.64% of the vote, the fourth of six consecutive wins for the Democratic party.

Illinois

1982 Illinois gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →
Turnout	61.58% 7.35 pp
Nominee Jim Thompson Adlai Stevenson III Party Republican Democratic Running mate George Ryan Grace Mary Stern Popular vote 1,816,101 1,811,027 Percentage 49.44% 49.30%
County results Thompson:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Stevenson:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%
Governor before election James R. Thompson Republican Elected Governor James R. Thompson Republican

The 1982 Illinois gubernatorial election was held in Illinois on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Republican governor James R. Thompson won a third term in office, defeating the Democratic nominee, former United States Senator Adlai Stevenson III, by a slim margin of 5,074 votes.

Iowa

1982 Iowa gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Terry Branstad Roxanne Conlin Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 548,313 483,291 Percentage 52.8% 46.5%

County results Branstad:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Conlin:     40–50%     50–60%

Governor before election Robert D. Ray Republican Elected Governor Terry Branstad Republican

The 1982 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Republican nominee Terry Branstad defeated Democratic nominee Roxanne Conlin with 52.81% of the vote.

Kansas

1982 Kansas gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee John W. Carlin Sam Hardage Party Democratic Republican Running mate Thomas Docking Dan Thiessen Popular vote 405,772 339,356 Percentage 53.2% 44.5%

County results Carlin:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Hardage:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Governor before election John W. Carlin Democratic Elected Governor John W. Carlin Democratic

The 1982 Kansas gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democrat John W. Carlin defeated Republican nominee Sam Hardage with 53.2% of the vote.

Maine

1982 Maine gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Joseph Brennan Charles Cragin Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 281,066 172,949 Percentage 61.91% 38.09%

County results Municipality results Brennan:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Cragin:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Tie:     40–50%     50%

Governor before election Joseph Brennan Democratic Elected Governor Joseph Brennan Democratic

The 1982 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democratic Governor Joseph Brennan defeated Republican challenger Charles R. Cragin. Brennan defeated Cragin, winning his re-election by the highest percent margin in more than thirty years.

Maryland

1982 Maryland gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Harry Hughes Robert A. Pascal Party Democratic Republican Running mate J. Joseph Curran Jr. Newton Steers Popular vote 705,910 432,826 Percentage 61.97% 38.00%

County results Hughes:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Pascal:     50-60%

Governor before election Harry Hughes Democratic Elected Governor Harry Hughes Democratic

The 1982 Maryland gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democrat Harry Hughes defeated Republican nominee Robert A. Pascal with 61.97% of the vote.

Massachusetts

1982 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →
Turnout	82.51% 3.54 [7]
Nominee Michael Dukakis John W. Sears Party Democratic Republican Running mate John Kerry Leon Lombardi Popular vote 1,219,109 749,679 Percentage 59.48% 36.57%
County results Municipality results Dukakis:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Sears:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Governor before election Edward J. King Democratic Elected Governor Michael Dukakis Democratic

The 1982 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Michael Dukakis was elected to a second non-consecutive term. He beat Republican John W. Sears in the general election, after defeating incumbent Governor Edward J. King in the Democratic primary.

Michigan

1982 Michigan gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee James Blanchard Richard Headlee Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,561,291 1,369,582 Percentage 51.4% 45.1%

County results Blanchard:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Headlee:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election William Milliken Republican Elected Governor James Blanchard Democratic

The 1982 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Governor William Milliken decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth full term as governor. The primary elections occurred on August 10, 1982. Businessman Richard Headlee narrowly defeated incumbent lieutenant governor James Brickley in a four way race on the Republican side. Congressman James Blanchard defeated Michigan Senate Majority Leader William B. Fitzgerald Jr. by a wide margin a fractured seven way race. Blanchard won the general election by a relatively comfortable 6.31% margin. Blanchard became the first Democrat to win the governor’s mansion in Michigan in 22 years. ^[8]

Minnesota

1982 Minnesota gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Rudy Perpich Wheelock Whitney, Jr. Party Democratic (DFL) Ind.-Republican Running mate Marlene Johnson Lauris Krenik Popular vote 1,049,104 711,796 Percentage 58.76% 39.86%

County results Perpich:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Whitney:     40–50%     50–60%

Governor before election Al Quie Ind.-Republican Elected Governor Rudy Perpich Democratic (DFL)

The 1982 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982. Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party candidate Rudy Perpich defeated Independent-Republican Party challenger Wheelock Whitney, Jr. Warren Spannaus unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination, while Lou Wangberg and Harold Stassen unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination. Perpich became the first candidate to receive over a million votes in a gubernatorial election in Minnesota.

Nebraska

1982 Nebraska gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Bob Kerrey Charles Thone Party Democratic Republican Running mate Donald McGinley Roland Luedtke Popular vote 277,436 270,203 Percentage 50.6% 49.3%

County results Kerrey:     50–60%     60–70% Thone:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Governor before election Charles Thone Republican Elected Governor Bob Kerrey Democratic

The 1982 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982, and featured businessman Bob Kerrey, a Democrat, narrowly defeating incumbent Republican governor Charles Thone.

Nevada

1982 Nevada gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 (1982-11-02) 1986  →

Nominee Richard Bryan Robert List Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 128,132 100,104 Percentage 53.30% 41.65%

County results Bryan:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% List:     40–50%     50–60%

Governor before election Robert List Republican Elected Governor Richard Bryan Democratic

The 1982 Nevada gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982 to elect the Governor of Nevada. Incumbent Republican Robert List ran unsuccessfully for re-election to a second term. He lost to Democratic nominee Richard Bryan by 11.7%.

New Hampshire

1982 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

←  1980 November 6, 1982 1984  →

Nominee John H. Sununu Hugh Gallen Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 145,389 132,317 Percentage 51.47% 46.84%

County results Municipality results Sununu:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Gallen:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     >90%

Governor before election Hugh Gallen Democratic Elected Governor John H. Sununu Republican

The 1982 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1982. Incumbent Democratic governor Hugh Gallen ran for re-election but was defeated by Tufts University professor John Sununu. Sununu, who defeated Lou D'Allesandro for the Republican nomination, became the first Arab-American governor of New Hampshire. Gallen died just over a week before Sununu's inauguration.

New Mexico

1982 New Mexico gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Toney Anaya John B. Irick Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 215,840 191,626 Percentage 52.97% 47.03%

County results Anaya:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Irick:     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Bruce King Democratic Elected Governor Toney Anaya Democratic

The 1982 New Mexico gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982 to elect the governor of New Mexico. Due to term limits, incumbent Democrat Bruce King was ineligible to seek a second consecutive (and third overall) term as governor. Democrat Toney Anaya defeated Republican state senator John B. Irick by about five points. Anaya was the first Democrat to carry Harding County in a gubernatorial election since Thomas J. Mabry in 1946.

New York

1982 New York gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Mario Cuomo Lewis Lehrman Party Democratic Republican Alliance Liberal Conservative Statewide Ind. Running mate Alfred DelBello James L. Emery Popular vote 2,675,213 2,494,827 Percentage 50.91% 47.48%

County results Cuomo:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Lehrman:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election Hugh Carey Democratic Elected Governor Mario Cuomo Democratic

The 1982 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York. Incumbent Democratic Governor Hugh Carey chose not to run for a third term, which resulted in an open race. Democratic nominee Mario Cuomo, the Lieutenant Governor of New York, narrowly defeated Republican Lewis Lehrman, a banker who ran as a conservative.

Ohio

1982 Ohio gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Dick Celeste Bud Brown Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,981,882 1,303,962 Percentage 59.0% 38.9%

County results Celeste:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Brown:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Jim Rhodes Republican Elected Governor Dick Celeste Democratic

The 1982 Ohio gubernatorial election was held in Ohio on November 2, 1982. Dick Celeste of the Democratic Party was elected with 59% of the vote. ^[9]

Oklahoma

1982 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee George Nigh Tom Daxon Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 548,159 332,207 Percentage 62.0% 37.6%

County results Nigh:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Governor before election George Nigh Democratic Elected Governor George Nigh Democratic

The 1982 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982, and was a race for Governor of Oklahoma. Democrat George Nigh won re-election by a substantial majority over the Republican, former State Auditor and Inspector Tom Daxon. ^[10]

Oregon

1982 Oregon gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Victor Atiyeh Ted Kulongoski Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 639,841 374,316 Percentage 61.4% 35.9%

County results Atiyeh:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election Victor Atiyeh Republican Elected Governor Victor Atiyeh Republican

The 1982 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Republican Governor Victor Atiyeh won re-election to a second term in a landslide, defeating Democratic state senator Ted Kulongoski and carrying every county in the state.

Pennsylvania

1982 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 (1982-11-02) 1986  →

Nominee Dick Thornburgh Allen Ertel Party Republican Democratic Running mate Bill Scranton III James Lloyd Popular vote 1,872,784 1,772,353 Percentage 50.84% 48.11%

County results Thornburgh:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Ertel:     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Dick Thornburgh Republican Elected Governor Dick Thornburgh Republican

The 1982 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982, between incumbent Republican Dick Thornburgh and Democratic U.S. Congressman Allen E. Ertel. Thornburgh was a popular incumbent, who largely was the favorite throughout the race. However, owing to a nationwide recession which hit the state particularly hard, and a backlash to Reaganomics, the final result ended up becoming much closer than what was initially anticipated. ^[11]

Rhode Island

1982 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

←  1980 November 2, 1982 1984  →

Nominee J. Joseph Garrahy Vincent Marzullo Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 247,208 79,602 Percentage 73.30% 23.60%

County results Municipality results Garrahy:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Governor before election J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic Elected Governor J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic

The 1982 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democrat J. Joseph Garrahy defeated Republican nominee Vincent Marzullo with 73.30% of the vote.

South Carolina

1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Richard Riley W. D. Workman, Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 468,787 202,806 Percentage 69.8% 30.2%

County results Riley:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Governor before election Richard Riley Democratic Elected Governor Richard Riley Democratic

The 1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. The state constitution was amended by the voters on November 4, 1980 to allow for the governor to serve a second consecutive four-year term. Governor Richard Riley, the popular Democratic incumbent, easily defeated Republican W. D. Workman, Jr. and became the first governor since Thomas Gordon McLeod in 1924 to be elected to a second consecutive term.

South Dakota

1982 South Dakota gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 (1982-11-02) 1986  →

Nominee Bill Janklow Mike O'Connor Party Republican Democratic Running mate Lowell Hansen Willis Danokas Popular vote 197,429 81,136 Percentage 70.9% 29.1%

County results Janklow:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% O'Connor:     50–60%     60–70%     80–90%

Governor before election Bill Janklow Republican Elected Governor Bill Janklow Republican

The 1982 South Dakota gubernatorial elections were held on November 2, 1982, to elect a Governor of South Dakota. Republican candidate Bill Janklow was elected, defeating Democratic nominee Mike O'Connor to take a second term in office.

Tennessee

1982 Tennessee gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Lamar Alexander Randy Tyree Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 737,693 500,937 Percentage 59.56% 40.44%

County results Alexander:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Tyree:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election Lamar Alexander Republican Elected Governor Lamar Alexander Republican

The 1982 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982, to elect the governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Republican governor Lamar Alexander was now qualified to run for re-election because of Tennessee's 1978 constitutional amendment allowing governors to serve a second consecutive four-year term. ^[12] Alexander ran for re-election and defeated Democratic nominee Randy Tyree with 59.6% of the vote in the general election.

Alexander was the first Republican to be re-elected governor since 1912.

Texas

1982 Texas gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Mark White Bill Clements Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,697,870 1,465,937 Percentage 53.2% 45.9%

County results White:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Clements:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election Bill Clements Republican Elected Governor Mark White Democratic

The 1982 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican governor Bill Clements ran for reelection, but was defeated in the general election by Democrat Mark White, winning 46% of the vote to White's 53%. White was sworn into office on January 18, 1983.

Vermont

1982 Vermont gubernatorial election

←  1980 November 2, 1982 (1982-11-02) 1984  →

Nominee Richard Snelling Madeleine Kunin Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 93,111 74,394 Percentage 55.0% 44.0%

County results Municipality results Snelling:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90% Kunin:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%

Governor before election Richard Snelling Republican Elected Governor Richard Snelling Republican

The 1982 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Republican Richard A. Snelling ran successfully for a fourth term as Governor of Vermont, defeating Democratic candidate Madeleine Kunin.

Wisconsin

1982 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Anthony S. Earl Terry J. Kohler Party Democratic Republican Running mate James T. Flynn Russell A. Olson Popular vote 896,872 662,738 Percentage 56.76% 41.94%

County results Earl:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Kohler:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Lee S. Dreyfus Republican Elected Governor Anthony S. Earl Democratic

The 1982 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Democrat Anthony S. Earl won the election with 56.75% of the vote, defeating Republican Terry J. Kohler. ^[13]

Wyoming

1982 Wyoming gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 2, 1982 (1982-11-02) 1986  →

Nominee Edgar Herschler Warren A. Morton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 106,427 62,128 Percentage 63.14% 36.86%

County results Herschler:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Morton:     50–60%

Governor before election Edgar Herschler Democratic Elected Governor Edgar Herschler Democratic

The 1982 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democratic Governor Edgar Herschler ran for re-election to a third term. He faced former State House Speaker Warren A. Morton in the general election after several prominent Republicans, including then-Congressman Dick Cheney, declined to challenge him. ^[14] However, Herschler remained personally popular and the national political environment favored Democrats, and he had little difficulty defeating Morton to win a third term. In doing so, Herschler became the first (and, with the subsequent adoption of gubernatorial term limits, likely the last) Governor of Wyoming to win three terms in office.

Territories and federal district

District of Columbia

1982 United States gubernatorial elections

←  1978 November 2, 1982 1986  →

Nominee Marion Barry E. Brooke Lee Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 95,007 16,501 Percentage 81.0% 14.1%

Mayor before election Marion Barry Democratic Elected mayor Marion Barry Democratic

On November 2, 1982, the District of Columbia held an election for its mayor. It resulted in the reelection of incumbent Democratic mayor Marion Barry to a second term, defeating Republican candidate E. Brooke Lee.

Guam

Guam election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ricardo Bordallo	{{{votes}}}	52.4%
	Republican	Paul McDonald Calvo	{{{votes}}}	47.6%
Total votes			{{{votes}}}	100.00
	Democratic gain from Republican

U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Independent	Juan Francisco Luis	{{{votes}}}	100%
Total votes			{{{votes}}}	100.00
	Independent hold

See also

• 1982 United States elections
  • 1982 United States Senate elections
  • 1982 United States House of Representatives elections

Notes

1. Babbitt took office after his predecessor (Wesley Bolin) died.
2. O'Neill took office after his predecessor (Ella Grasso) resigned.
3. Evans took office after his predecessor (Cecil Andrus) resigned.
4. Milliken took office after his predecessor (George W. Romney) resigned.
5. Luis took office after his predecessor (Cyril E. King) died. He was subsequently elected in the 1978 United States Virgin Islands gubernatorial election.

References

1. "Guam Governor Race - Nov 02, 1982". Our Campaigns. July 3, 2015.
2. "USVI Governor Race - Nov 02, 1982". Our Campaigns. January 19, 2006.
3. "Candidate – D.G. "Andy" Anderson". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
4. "HI Governor Race – Nov 02, 1982". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
5. Kennedy, John (October 31, 1982). "Idaho governor: Strange blend of issues may decide state's top race". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. p. 4C.
6. "Gov. Evans holds slight lead". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 3, 1982. p. 1A.
7. "Our Campaigns - MA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1982". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
8. Michigan (1985). Michigan manual. 1983/1984 – via HathiTrust.
9. "1982 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Ohio". US Election Atlas.
10. "1982 results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. pp. 1, 3, 9.
11. Robbins, William (November 4, 1982). "G.O.P. SHAKEN IN PENNSYLVANIA". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 14, 2023.
12. Phillip Langsdon, Tennessee: A Political History (Franklin, Tenn.: Hillsboro Press, 2000), pp. 370–381, 370–393.
13. Joint Committee on Legislative Organization, Wisconsin Legislature (2015). Wisconsin Blue Book 2015-2016. Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Administration. pp. 699–701. ISBN   978-0-9752820-7-6.
14. Clark, Clayton (July 11, 1982). "Cheney says he won't run for governor". Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyo. p. A1, A16.