1982 Alabama gubernatorial election

Incumbent Democrat Fob James declined to run for re-election; he later successfully ran again in 1994 as a Republican.

Because Wallace did not receive a majority of the votes, he advanced to a run-off with McMillan and then narrowly won the Democratic nomination.

Shortly after former governor George Wallace survived an assassination attempt in 1972, he renounced his infamous segregationist past, especially when he stood in front of the school house door at the University of Alabama in 1963, noting that, "I was wrong.

With Governor James retiring, Wallace decided to run for a fourth non-consecutive term in 1982.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Fob James decided to not seek a second term.

Primary results by county:
Wallace
  • 30–40%
  • 40–50%
  • 50–60%
  • 60–70%
  • 70–80%
McMillan
  • 30–40%
  • 40–50%
McCorquodale
  • 30–40%
  • 50–60%
Runoff results by county:
Wallace
  • 50–60%
  • 60–70%
  • 70–80%
McMillan
  • 50–60%
  • 60–70%
  • 80–90%