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% ![]() | |||||||||||||||||||
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Elections in Massachusetts |
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Democratic primary
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

Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Michael Dukakis | 631,911 | 53.49% | ![]() | |
Democratic | Edward J. King (incumbent) | 549,335 | 46.50% | ![]() | |
Total votes | 1,181,246 | 100.00% |
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

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
Candidates
- 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% |
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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Democratic | Michael Dukakis (John Kerry) | 1,219,109 | 59.48% | ![]() | |
Republican | John W. Sears (Leon Lombardi) | 749,679 | 36.57% | ![]() | |
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
1982 United States gubernatorial election in Massachusetts (by county) [2] | |||||||
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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 |