| Election Name: | 1982 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Massachusetts |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1978 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1978 |
| Next Election: | 1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1986 |
| Election Date: | November 2, 1982 |
| Turnout: | 82.51% 3.54 [1] |
| Image1: | 1988 Dukakis (cropped 3x4).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Michael Dukakis |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Running Mate1: | John Kerry |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,219,109 |
| Percentage1: | 59.48% |
| Nominee2: | John W. Sears |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Running Mate2: | Leon Lombardi |
| Popular Vote2: | 749,679 |
| Percentage2: | 36.57% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Edward J. King |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Michael Dukakis |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
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.
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%.
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.
Lombardi was unopposed for the Republican nomination.
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 United States gubernatorial election in Massachusetts (by county) [2] | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County | Dukakis - D % | Dukakis - D # | Sears - R % | Sears - R # | Others % | Others # | Total # | ||
| 48.7% | 33,942 | 46.4% | 32,379 | 4.9% | 3,444 | 69,765 | |||
| 61.8% | 32,453 | 31.6% | 16,585 | 6.6% | 3,451 | 52,489 | |||
| 60.1% | 96,602 | 32.8% | 52,658 | 7.1% | 11,490 | 160,750 | |||
| 61.8% | 2,698 | 33.3% | 1,453 | 4.9% | 214 | 4,365 | |||
| 57.3% | 143,900 | 36.5% | 91,633 | 6.2% | 15,519 | 251,052 | |||
| 55.2% | 13,765 | 39.8% | 9,937 | 5.0% | 1,242 | 24,944 | |||
| 54.0% | 77,183 | 35.2% | 50,391 | 10.8% | 15,399 | 142,973 | |||
| 60.3% | 29,355 | 33.6% | 16,332 | 6.1% | 2,988 | 48,675 | |||
| 60.2% | 319,453 | 34.4% | 182,483 | 5.4% | 28,798 | 530,734 | |||
| 53.7% | 1,252 | 41.6% | 970 | 4.8% | 111 | 2,333 | |||
| 56.2% | 143,940 | 37.7% | 96,519 | 6.1% | 15,679 | 256,138 | |||
| 51.3% | 73,570 | 42.0% | 60,250 | 6.7% | 9,605 | 143,425 | |||
| 63.4% | 117,525 | 28.5% | 52,884 | 8.0% | 14,859 | 185,268 | |||
| 57.8% | 133,171 | 37.0% | 85,205 | 5.3% | 12,192 | 230,568 | |||