1982 Florida gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1982 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1982 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democratic governor Bob Graham was re-elected in a landslide, defeating Republican nominee Skip Bafalis with 64.70% of the vote. Bafalis was the last Florida Republican gubernatorial nominee never to have won at least one gubernatorial election in his career.

1982 Florida gubernatorial election

← 1978 November 2, 1982 1986 →

Nominee Bob Graham Skip Bafalis Party Democratic Republican Running mate Wayne Mixson Leo Callahan Popular vote 1,739,553 949,013 Percentage 64.70% 35.30%

County results Graham:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Bafalis:      50–60%

Governor before election Bob Graham Democratic Elected Governor Bob Graham Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 7, 1982.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bob Graham, incumbent governor
  • Running mate: Wayne Mixson, incumbent lieutenant governor
• Fred Kuhn
• Bob Kunst, gay rights activist and perennial candidate

Results

Democratic Primary by county

  Graham

•   50–60%
•   70–80%
•   80–90%
•   >90%

Democratic primary results^[1][2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bob Graham (incumbent)	839,128	84.47%
	Democratic	Fred Kuhn	93,083	9.37%
	Democratic	Bob Kunst	61,191	6.16%
Total votes			993,402	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Skip Bafalis, U.S. representative from North Palm Beach
  • Running mate: Leo Callahan, Fort Lauderdale chief of police
• Vernon Davids, attorney

Withdrew

• Tom Gallagher, state representative from Coconut Grove, Miami

Results

Republican Primary by county

  Bafalis

•   50–60%
•   70–80%
•   80–90%
•   >90%

Republican primary results^[3][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Skip Bafalis	325,118	86.36%
	Republican	Vernon Davids	51,343	13.64%
Total votes			376,461	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Bob Graham, Democratic
• Skip Bafalis, Republican

Results

1982 Florida gubernatorial election^[5][6][7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bob Graham (incumbent)	1,739,553	64.70%
	Republican	Skip Bafalis	949,013	35.30%
Total votes			2,688,566	100.00%
	Democratic hold