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.
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| Turnout | 82.51%  3.54 [1] | |||||||||||||||||||
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Dukakis: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
80–90% Sears: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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
editGovernor
editCandidates
edit- Michael Dukakis, former Governor
- Edward J. King, incumbent Governor
Withdrew
edit- Thomas P. O'Neill III, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
Campaign
editFormer 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
edit
| 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
editCandidates
edit- John Kerry, veteran and anti-war activist
- Evelyn Murphy, Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere and former State Secretary of Economic Affairs
- Lou Nickinello, State Representative from Natick
- Lois Pines, former State Representative from Newton
- Samuel Rotondi, State Senator from Winchester
Campaign
editIncumbent 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
edit
| 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
editGovernor
editCandidates
edit- Andrew Card, State Representative from Holbrook
- John Lakian, businessman
- John Winthrop Sears, former Suffolk County Sheriff and Boston City Councilman
Results
edit
| 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
editCandidates
edit- Leon Lombardi, State Representative from Easton
Results
editLombardi was unopposed for the Republican nomination.
General election
editResults
editMichael 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.
| 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
edit| 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
editReferences
edit- ^ "Our Campaigns - MA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1982". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ "PD43+ » Search Elections". PD43+. Retrieved February 11, 2024.