1982 Michigan gubernatorial election

The 1982 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Governor William Milliken decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth full term as governor. The primary elections occurred on August 10, 1982. Businessman Richard Headlee narrowly defeated incumbent lieutenant governor James Brickley in a four way race on the Republican side. Congressman James Blanchard defeated Michigan Senate Majority Leader William B. Fitzgerald Jr. by a wide margin a fractured seven way race. Blanchard won the general election by a relatively comfortable 6.31% margin. Blanchard became the first Democrat to win the governor’s mansion in Michigan in 22 years.

Candidates

 * James H. Brickley, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
 * Richard Headlee, businessman and anti-tax activist
 * L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Prosecutor
 * Jack Welborn

Candidates

 * James Blanchard, U.S. Representative from Pleasant Ridge
 * Zolton Ferency, Ingham County Commissioner, law professor, and nominee for governor in 1966
 * William B. Fitzgerald Jr., Michigan Senate Majority Leader and nominee for governor in 1978
 * Kerry Kammer
 * Edward H. Pierce
 * David A. Plaweki
 * John Safran