1982 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1978 November 2, 1982 1986 →
Turnout	82.51% 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%
County results Dukakis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election Edward J. King Democratic Elected Governor Michael Dukakis Democratic

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v t e

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.

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

Governor

Candidates

• 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

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

Candidates

• 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

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

• Andrew Card, State Representative from Holbrook
• John Lakian, businessman
• John Winthrop Sears, former Suffolk County Sheriff and Boston City Councilman

Results

Lt. Governor

Candidates

• Leon Lombardi, State Representative from Easton

Results

Lombardi was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

General election

Results

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