1982 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

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.

1982 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1978 November 2, 1982 1986 →
Turnout82.51% Increase 3.54 [1]
 
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%

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

This election notably saw the Dukakis-Kerry ticket for Governor and Lt. Governor, a gubernatorial ticket made up of the future 1988 and 2004 Democratic nominees for President of the United States, who both lost to Bush family members, George H.W. and George W. respectively. Republican candidate Andrew Card also went on to serve in key roles in both Bush administrations; as White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Transportation Secretary, and White House Chief of Staff.

Democratic primary

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Governor

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Candidates

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Withdrew
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Campaign

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Former Governor Michael Dukakis challenged incumbent Governor Edward J. King in a rematch of the 1978 Democratic primary. This time, Dukakis was victorious 53–47%.

Results

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1982 Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Michael Dukakis 631,911 53.49%  11.29
Democratic Edward J. King (incumbent) 549,335 46.50%  4.57
Total votes 1,181,246 100.00%

Lt. Governor

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Candidates

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Campaign

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Incumbent Lt. Governor Thomas P. O'Neill III did not run for re-election. Former Navy Lieutenant and anti-war activist John Kerry won a five way contest for the Democratic nomination.

Results

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Primary results by municipality
1982 Massachusetts Democratic Lt. gubernatorial primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Kerry 325,890 29.00%
Democratic Evelyn Murphy 286,378 25.48%
Democratic Samuel Rotondi 228,086 20.29%
Democratic Lou Nickinello 150,829 13.42%
Democratic Lois Pines 132,734 11.81%
Total votes 1,123,917 100.00%

Republican primary

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Governor

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary results by municipality
1982 Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John W. Sears 90,617 50.71%
Republican John Lakian 46,675 26.12%
Republican Andrew Card 40,899 22.95%
Total votes 178,191 100.00%

Lt. Governor

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Candidates

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Results

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Lombardi was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

General election

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Results

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Michael Dukakis won the election with 57.9% of the vote, winning every county in the state - 13 with a majority, and 1 county (Barnstable) with a plurality.

1982 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Michael Dukakis (John Kerry) 1,219,109 59.48%  6.97
Republican John W. Sears (Leon Lombardi) 749,679 36.57%  10.62
Independent Frank Rich (John Davies) 63,068 3.08% N/A
Libertarian Rebecca Shipman (Norman MacConnell, Jr.) 17,918 0.87% N/A
Majority 469,430 22.91%

Results by county

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1982 United States gubernatorial election in Massachusetts (by county) [2]
County Dukakis - D % Dukakis - D # Sears - R % Sears - R # Others % Others # Total #
Barnstable 48.7% 33,942 46.4% 32,379 4.9% 3,444 69,765
Berkshire 61.8% 32,453 31.6% 16,585 6.6% 3,451 52,489
Bristol 60.1% 96,602 32.8% 52,658 7.1% 11,490 160,750
Dukes 61.8% 2,698 33.3% 1,453 4.9% 214 4,365
Essex 57.3% 143,900 36.5% 91,633 6.2% 15,519 251,052
Franklin 55.2% 13,765 39.8% 9,937 5.0% 1,242 24,944
Hampden 54.0% 77,183 35.2% 50,391 10.8% 15,399 142,973
Hampshire 60.3% 29,355 33.6% 16,332 6.1% 2,988 48,675
Middlesex 60.2% 319,453 34.4% 182,483 5.4% 28,798 530,734
Nantucket 53.7% 1,252 41.6% 970 4.8% 111 2,333
Norfolk 56.2% 143,940 37.7% 96,519 6.1% 15,679 256,138
Plymouth 51.3% 73,570 42.0% 60,250 6.7% 9,605 143,425
Suffolk 63.4% 117,525 28.5% 52,884 8.0% 14,859 185,268
Worcester 57.8% 133,171 37.0% 85,205 5.3% 12,192 230,568

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Our Campaigns - MA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1982". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  2. ^ "PD43+ » Search Elections". PD43+. Retrieved February 11, 2024.