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.
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Turnout | 82.51% 3.54 [1] | |||||||||||||||||||
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Municipal results | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Elections in Massachusetts |
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This election notably saw the Dukakis-Kerry ticket for Governor and Lt. Governor, a gubernatorial ticket made up of the 1988 and 2004 Democratic nominees for President of the United States, who both lost to a Bush family member, George H.W. and George W. respectively.
Democratic primary
Declared
- Michael Dukakis, former Governor
- Edward J. King, incumbent Governor
Withdrew
- Thomas P. O'Neill III, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
Campaign
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
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% |
Declared
- 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
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
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
Declared
- Andrew Card, State Representative from Holbrook
- John Lakian, businessman
- John Winthrop Sears, former Suffolk County Sheriff and Boston City Councilman
Results
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% |
Declared
- Leon Lombardi, State Representative
Results
Lombardi was unopposed for the Republican nomination.
General election
Results
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% |