South Carolina gubernatorial election, 1982

The 1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. The state constitution was amended by the voters on November 4, 1980 to allow for the governor to serve a second consecutive four year term. Governor Richard Riley, the popular Democratic incumbent, easily defeated Republican W. D. Workman, Jr. and became the first governor since Thomas Gordon McLeod in 1924 to be elected to a second consecutive term.

Democratic Primary

Governor Richard Riley faced no opposition from South Carolina Democrats and avoided a primary election.

Republican Primary

The South Carolina Republican Party held their primary for governor in the summer of 1982. The lack of a Democratic primary for Governor gave the Republicans an opportunity to increase interest in their party, but the popularity of Governor Richard Riley prevented many additional voters from participating in the primary. W. D. Workman, Jr. decisively defeated Roddy T. Martin and earned the right to face Riley in the general election.

General Election

The general election was held on November 2, 1982 and Richard Riley was elected as the next governor of South Carolina. Turnout decreased from the previous gubernatorial election because of the uncompetitive nature of the race.

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Richard Riley
votes = 468,787
percentage = 69.8
change = +8.5 Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = W. D. Workman, Jr.
votes = 202,806
percentage = 30.2
change = -7.5 Election box candidate
party = "No party"
candidate = Write-Ins
votes = 184
percentage = 0.0
change = -0.1Election box majority
votes = 265,981
percentage = 39.6
change = +16.0Election box turnout
votes = 671,777
percentage = 54.6
change = -2.6
colspan=5 |Democratic hold
-

frame|300px|none|1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election map, by percentile by county.

ee also

*Governor of South Carolina
*List of Governors of South Carolina
*South Carolina gubernatorial elections

External links

* [http://www.sciway.net/hist/governors/riley.html SCIway Biography of Governor Richard Wilson Riley]

sequence
prev=1978
list=South Carolina gubernatorial elections
next=1986