Gubernatorial elections
United States elections · 1982 · held
State gubernatorial races held in this midterm year. Each governor is elected separately; there is no combined national percentage.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Alabama — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Wallace | Democratic | — | 57.60% | Elected |
| Emory Folmar | Republican | — | 39.10% | — |
| Leo Suiter | Alabama Conservative | — | 1.60% | — |
| Henry Klingler | Libertarian | — | 0.70% | — |
| John Jackson | Alabama Nat'l Democrat | — | 0.40% | — |
| John Dyer | Prohibition | — | 0.40% | — |
| Martin J. Boyers | Socialist Workers | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Alaska — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Sheffield | Democratic | — | 46.10% | Elected |
| Tom Fink | Republican | — | 37.10% | — |
| Dick Randolph | Libertarian | — | 14.90% | — |
| Joe Vogler | Alaskan Ind. | — | 1.70% | — |
Sources & further reading
Arizona — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce Babbitt | Democratic | — | 62.50% | Elected |
| Leo Corbet | Republican | — | 32.50% | — |
| Sam Steiger | Libertarian | — | 5.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Clinton | Democratic | — | 54.70% | Elected |
| Frank D. White | Republican | — | 45.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
California — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Deukmejian | Republican | — | 49.30% | Elected |
| Tom Bradley | Democratic | — | 48.10% | — |
| Don P. Dougherty | L | — | 1.00% | — |
| Elizabeth Martinez | PF | — | 0.90% | — |
| James C. Griffin | AI | — | 0.70% | — |
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Lamm | Democratic | — | 65.70% | Elected |
| John Fuhr | Republican | — | 31.20% | — |
| Paul K. Grant | Libertarian | — | 2.00% | — |
| Earl Dodge | Prohibition | — | 0.40% | — |
| Alan Gummerson | Socialist Workers | — | 0.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William A. O'Neill | Democratic | — | 53.70% | Elected |
| Lewis B. Rome | Republican | — | 46.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Florida — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Graham | Democratic | — | 64.70% | Elected |
| Skip Bafalis | Republican | — | 35.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Frank Harris | Democratic | — | 62.80% | Elected |
| Robert H. Bell | Republican | — | 37.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Hawaii — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Ariyoshi | Democratic | — | 45.20% | Elected |
| Frank Fasi | Independent Democrat | — | 28.60% | — |
| D. G. Anderson | Republican | — | 26.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Evans | Democratic | — | 52.90% | Elected |
| Phil Batt | Republican | — | 47.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James R. Thompson | Republican | — | 49.44% | Elected |
| Adlai Stevenson III | Democratic | — | 49.30% | — |
| Bea Armstrong | Libertarian | — | 0.67% | — |
| John E. Roche | U.S. Taxpayers | — | 0.60% | — |
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Branstad | Republican | — | 52.80% | Elected |
| Roxanne Conlin | Democratic | — | 46.60% | — |
| Marcia Farrington | Libertarian | — | 0.30% | — |
| Jim Bittner | Socialist | — | 0.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John W. Carlin | Democratic | — | 53.20% | Elected |
| Sam Hardage | Republican | — | 44.50% | — |
| James H. Ward | Libertarian | — | 1.00% | — |
| Frank Shelton | American | — | 0.80% | — |
| Warren C. Martin | Prohibition | — | 0.60% | — |
Sources & further reading
Maine — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph E. Brennan | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Charles R. Cragin | Republican | — | — | — |
| Venn Warren | Independent | — | — | — |
| J. Martin "Marty" Vachon | Independent | — | — | — |
Multiple rounds or non-comparable percentages are described in the source; percentages are not combined.
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Hughes | Democratic | — | 62.00% | Elected |
| Robert A. Pascal | Republican | — | 38.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Dukakis | Democratic | — | 59.50% | Elected |
| John W. Sears | Republican | — | 36.60% | — |
| Frank Rich | Independent | — | 3.10% | — |
| Rebecca Shipman | Libertarian | — | 0.90% | — |
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Blanchard | Democratic | — | 51.40% | Elected |
| Richard Headlee | Republican | — | 45.10% | — |
| Robert Tisch | Tisch Ind. Citizens | — | 2.60% | — |
| Dick Jacobs | Libertarian | — | 0.50% | — |
| James Phillips | American Ind. | — | 0.20% | — |
| Leslie E. Craine | Socialist Workers | — | 0.10% | — |
| Martin P. McLaughlin | Workers League | — | 0.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rudy Perpich | Democratic | — | 58.60% | Elected |
| Wheelock Whitney | Republican | — | 40.00% | — |
| Kathy Wheeler | Socialist Workers | — | 0.60% | — |
| Tom McDonald | Honest Government | — | 0.50% | — |
| Franklin H. Haws | Libertarian | — | 0.40% | — |
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Kerrey | Democratic | — | 50.70% | Elected |
| Charles Thone | Republican | — | 49.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Bryan | Democratic | — | 53.40% | Elected |
| Robert List | Republican | — | 41.80% | — |
| Dan Becan | Libertarian | — | 1.90% | — |
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John H. Sununu | Republican | — | 51.50% | Elected |
| Hugh Gallen | Democratic | — | 46.80% | — |
| Meldrim Thomson Jr. | Independent | — | 1.70% | — |
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toney Anaya | Democratic | — | 53.00% | Elected |
| John B. Irick | Republican | — | 47.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
New York — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Cuomo | Democratic | — | 50.90% | Elected |
| Lewis Lehrman | Republican | — | 47.50% | — |
| Robert J. Bohner | Right to Life | — | 1.00% | — |
| John H. Northrup | Libertarian | — | 0.30% | — |
| Jane Benedict | Unity | — | 0.10% | — |
| Nancy Ross | New Alliance | — | 0.10% | — |
| Diane Wang | Socialist Workers | — | 0.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Celeste | Democratic | — | 59.00% | Elected |
| Bud Brown | Republican | — | 38.90% | — |
| Phyllis Goetz | Libertarian | — | 1.20% | — |
| Kurt O. Landefiled | Independent | — | 0.50% | — |
| Erwin Reupert | Independent | — | 0.40% | — |
Sources & further reading
Oklahoma — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Nigh | Democratic | — | 62.10% | Elected |
| Tom Daxon | Republican | — | 37.60% | — |
| Allah-U Akbar Allah-U Wahid | Independent | — | 0.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Atiyeh | Republican | — | 63.10% | Elected |
| Ted Kulongoski | Democratic | — | 36.90% | — |
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Thornburgh | Republican | — | 50.80% | Elected |
| Allen E. Ertel | Democratic | — | 48.10% | — |
| Mark Zola | Socialist Workers | — | 0.40% | — |
| Lee Frissell | Consumer | — | 0.40% | — |
| Richard D. Fuerle | Libertarian | — | 0.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Joseph Garrahy | Democratic | — | 73.30% | Elected |
| Vincent Marzullo | Republican | — | 23.60% | — |
| Hilary R. Salk | Independent | — | 2.10% | — |
| Peter Van Daam | Independent | — | 1.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Riley | Democratic | — | 69.80% | Elected |
| W. D. Workman Jr. | Republican | — | 30.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Janklow | Republican | — | 70.90% | Elected |
| Michael J. O'Connor | Democratic | — | 29.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Alexander | Republican | — | 59.60% | Elected |
| Randy Tyree | Democratic | — | 40.40% | — |
Sources & further reading
Texas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark White | Democratic | — | 53.20% | Elected |
| Bill Clements | Republican | — | 45.90% | — |
| David Hutzelman | Libertarian | — | 0.60% | — |
| Bob Poteet | U.S. Taxpayers | — | 0.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard A. Snelling | Republican | — | 55.00% | Elected |
| Madeleine Kunin | Democratic | — | 44.00% | — |
| Richard Gottlieb | Liberty Union | — | 0.50% | — |
| John L. Buttolph III | Libertarian | — | 0.50% | — |
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Earl | Democratic | — | 56.80% | Elected |
| Terry Kohler | Republican | — | 42.00% | — |
| Larry Smiley | Libertarian | — | 0.60% | — |
| James Wickstrom | U.S. Taxpayers | — | 0.50% | — |
| Peter Seidman | Socialist Workers | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgar Herschler | Democratic | — | 63.10% | Elected |
| Warren A. Morton | Republican | — | 36.90% | — |
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Separate state governor races
This entry covers governor elections held in the midterm year, including available special contests, not off-year elections or every sitting governor. Candidate-specific ideology is used where sourced; election-era party ideology is the fallback. Historical indirect selections and unavailable counts are identified separately. Source summaries may omit minor candidates; blank values do not mean zero votes.