Thornburgh, who maintained high approval ratings during his first term, was initially considered a shoo-in for reelection, especially after the Democrats' top candidate, Philadelphia District Attorney (and future governor) Ed Rendell, declined to seek the nomination. Ertel struggled early with fundraising and, because of his residence in heavily Republican Central Pennsylvania, lacked a base among the state's strongest Democratic constituents: urban voters and organized labor. However, as a serious recession hit the state, Ertel campaigned hard against the economic policies of President Ronald Reagan, whom Ertel blamed for failing to protect the state's manufacturing sector; Thornburgh was forced to distance himself from Reagan as support for Reaganomics waned.[2]
The state's political environment strongly favored Ertel not only because of national issues, but because the governmental cuts undertaken by Thornburgh during his term as governor had caused him to lose the support of several traditionally Democratic-leaning organizations that had once stood by his side, such as the NAACP and the state's teachers' union. However, Ertel ran a relatively mediocre campaign and hurt his chances with several gaffes, such as accusing the governor of exploiting his disabled son's condition for political gain. Ertel's own mistakes were considered to be a crucial component in Thornburgh's win.[2]
1982, pennsylvania, gubernatorial, election, held, november, 1982, between, incumbent, republican, dick, thornburgh, democratic, congressman, allen, ertel, 1978, november, 1982, 1982, 1986, nominee, dick, thornburgh, allen, ertelparty, republican, democraticru. The 1982 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 2 1982 between incumbent Republican Dick Thornburgh and Democratic U S Congressman Allen E Ertel 1982 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election 1978 November 2 1982 1982 11 02 1986 Nominee Dick Thornburgh Allen ErtelParty Republican DemocraticRunning mate Bill Scranton III James LloydPopular vote 1 872 784 1 772 353Percentage 50 8 48 15 County results Thornburgh 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 Ertel 50 60 60 70 Governor before electionDick ThornburghRepublican Elected Governor Dick ThornburghRepublican Contents 1 Republican primary 2 Democratic primary 2 1 Candidates 2 2 Results 3 General election 3 1 Campaign 3 2 Results 4 Notes 5 ReferencesRepublican primary EditIncumbent Governor Dick Thornburgh ran unopposed for the Republican nomination Democratic primary EditCandidates Edit Steve Douglas Philadelphia political consultant Allen Ertel U S Representative from Williamsport Eugene Knox Northumberland County dentist Earl McDowell Fayette County businessmanResults Edit Pennsylvania gubernatorial election 1986 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Allen Ertel 436 251 57 64Democratic Steve Douglas 143 762 19 0Democratic Earl McDowell 116 880 15 44Democratic Eugene Knox 59 925 7 92General election EditCampaign Edit Thornburgh who maintained high approval ratings during his first term was initially considered a shoo in for reelection especially after the Democrats top candidate Philadelphia District Attorney and future governor Ed Rendell declined to seek the nomination Ertel struggled early with fundraising and because of his residence in heavily Republican Central Pennsylvania lacked a base among the state s strongest Democratic constituents urban voters and organized labor However as a serious recession hit the state Ertel campaigned hard against the economic policies of President Ronald Reagan whom Ertel blamed for failing to protect the state s manufacturing sector Thornburgh was forced to distance himself from Reagan as support for Reaganomics waned 2 The state s political environment strongly favored Ertel not only because of national issues but because the governmental cuts undertaken by Thornburgh during his term as governor had caused him to lose the support of several traditionally Democratic leaning organizations that had once stood by his side such as the NAACP and the state s teachers union However Ertel ran a relatively mediocre campaign and hurt his chances with several gaffes such as accusing the governor of exploiting his disabled son s condition for political gain Ertel s own mistakes were considered to be a crucial component in Thornburgh s win 2 Results Edit Pennsylvania gubernatorial election 1982 3 4 Party Candidate Running mate Votes PercentageRepublican Dick Thornburgh Bill Scranton III 1 872 784 50 84 Democratic Allen Ertel James Lloyd 1 772 353 48 11 Socialist Workers Mark Zola Wilson Osteen Jr 15 495 0 42 Consumer Lee Frissell Judith Faulkner 13 101 0 36 Libertarian Richard Fuerle David Walter 10 252 0 28 Totals 3 683 985 100 00 Voter turnout Voting age population 64 60 Notes Edit Our Campaigns PA Governor D Primary Race May 20 1986 a b Kennedy John J 2006 Pennsylvania Elections Statewide Contests From 1950 2004 University Press of America ISBN 9780761832799 The Pennsylvania Manual p 598 The Pennsylvania Manual p 597 References EditAckley Gayle Avery Kris eds 1983 The Pennsylvania Manual Vol 106 Harrisburg Pennsylvania Department of General Services ISBN 0 8182 0029 4 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1982 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election amp oldid 1133071643, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
