1982 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

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%
Municipal results
Governor before election Edward J. King Democratic Elected Governor Michael Dukakis Democratic

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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 a Bush family member, 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[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

Governor[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

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

Results[]

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[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

• Leon Lombardi, State Representative

Results[]

Lombardi was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

General election[]

Results[]

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%

See also[]

• 1981–1982 Massachusetts legislature

References[]