1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election

1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election

← 1978 November 2, 1982 1986 →
 
Nominee Richard Riley W. D. Workman, Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 468,787 202,806
Percentage 69.8% 30.2%

County results
Riley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election

Richard Riley
Democratic

Elected Governor

Richard Riley
Democratic

The 1982 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1982 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. The state constitution was amended by the voters on November 4, 1980 to allow for the governor to serve a second consecutive four-year term. Governor Richard Riley, the popular Democratic incumbent, easily defeated Republican W. D. Workman, Jr. and became the first governor since Thomas Gordon McLeod in 1924 to be elected to a second consecutive term.

As of 2024, this is the only time a Democratic governor won a second term since the constitution was amended to allow for two consecutive terms. It was also the last election that a Democrat has carried every county in South Carolina.[original research?]