1982 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

The 1982 California lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Mike Curb decided to run for Governor of California instead of running for a second term. Democratic nominee Leo T. McCarthy defeated Republican nominee Carol Boyd Hallett with 52.21% of the vote.

1982 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

← 1978 November 2, 1982 1986 →

Nominee Leo T. McCarthy Carol Boyd Hallett Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 4,001,839 3,381,861 Percentage 52.21% 44.12%

County results McCarthy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Hallett:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Lieutenant Governor before election Mike Curb Republican Elected Lieutenant Governor Leo T. McCarthy Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 8, 1982.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Leo T. McCarthy, State Assemblyman
• Charles "Chuck" Pineda Jr.

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Leo T. McCarthy	1,893,631	74.45
	Democratic	Charles "Chuck" Pineda Jr.	248,394	9.77
	Democratic	Bill Watkins	223,178	8.77
	Democratic	Robert Lee "Bob" Smith	178,478	7.02
Total votes			2,543,681	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Carol Boyd Hallett, State Assemblywoman
• Marz J. Garcia, State Senator

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Carol Boyd Hallett	1,564,205	75.03
	Republican	Marz J. Garcia	520,474	24.97
Total votes			2,084,679	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Leo T. McCarthy, Democratic
• Carol Boyd Hallett, Republican

Other candidates

• John Vernon, Libertarian
• Clyde Kuhn, Peace and Freedom
• Houston Myers, American Independent

Results

1982 California lieutenant gubernatorial election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Leo T. McCarthy	4,001,839	52.21%	+8.93%
	Republican	Carol Boyd Hallett	3,381,861	44.12%	−7.52%
	Libertarian	John Vernon	108,775	1.42%	+1.42%
	Peace and Freedom	Clyde Kuhn	92,304	1.20%	−1.20%
	American Independent	Houston Myers	79,697	1.04%	−1.63%
Majority			619,978
Turnout
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing