1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election

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.

1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election

November 2, 1982

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

As of 2024, this is the only time a Democratic governor won a second term since the constitution was amended to allow for two consecutive terms. It was also the last election that a Democrat has carried every county in South Carolina.

Democratic primary

Governor Richard Riley faced no opposition from South Carolina Democrats and avoided a primary election.

Republican primary

The South Carolina Republican Party held their primary for governor in the summer of 1982. The lack of a Democratic primary for Governor gave the Republicans an opportunity to increase interest in their party, but the popularity of Governor Richard Riley prevented many additional voters from participating in the primary. W. D. Workman, Jr. decisively defeated Roddy T. Martin and earned the right to face Riley in the general election.

Republican Primary
Candidate	Votes	%
W. D. Workman, Jr.	17,128	81.8
Roddy T. Martin	3,816	18.2

General election

The general election was held on November 2, 1982 and Richard Riley was elected as the next governor of South Carolina. Turnout decreased from the previous gubernatorial election because of the uncompetitive nature of the race. Riley won every County in the state.

South Carolina Gubernatorial Election, 1982

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Richard Riley (incumbent)	468,787	69.78	+8.5
	Republican	W. D. Workman, Jr.	202,806	30.19	−7.5
	No party	Write-Ins	184	0.0	−0.1
Majority			265,981	39.6	+16.0
Turnout			671,777	54.6	−2.6
	Democratic hold

1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election map, by percentile by county.

  65+% won by Riley

  60%-64% won by Riley

  50%-54% won by Riley

See also

• Governor of South Carolina
• List of governors of South Carolina
• South Carolina gubernatorial elections

External links

• SCIway Biography of Governor Richard Wilson Riley

Preceded by 1978

South Carolina gubernatorial elections

Succeeded by 1986