1982 Georgia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1982 United States gubernatorial elections.

1982 Georgia gubernatorial election

November 2, 1982

Nominee Joe Frank Harris Robert H. Bell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 734,090 434,496 Percentage 62.8% 37.2%

County results Harris:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Bell:      50–60%

Governor before election George Busbee Democratic Elected Governor Joe Frank Harris Democratic

The 1982 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982. Joe Frank Harris was elected as the 78th Governor of Georgia.

Democratic nomination

With 10 candidates, including Jack Watson and Buck Melton, running, Bo Ginn won the primary with 316,019 votes (35.11%) to 2nd place Joe Frank Harris and his 223,545 votes (24.84%), necessitating a runoff. In the runoff, Harris prevailed with 500,765 votes (54.97%) to Ginn's 410,259 votes (45.03%).

Republican nomination

Robert H. Bell won the primary with 36,347 votes (59.19%) over Benjamin B. Blackburn and his 25,063 votes (40.81%).

General election results

Though the Democrats once again won the election, Bell did win five counties (Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fayette, Bulloch) and the GOP gained their most votes in an election since Howard Callaway in 1966. As of 2022, this is the last time that DeKalb County voted for the Republican candidate for governor.

Georgia gubernatorial Election 1974

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joe Frank Harris	734,090	62.79%
	Republican	Robert H. Bell	434,496	37.17%
	Democratic hold		Swing