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