Incumbent Republican George Deukmejian won easily in this rematch over the Democratic challenger, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

This was the largest gubernatorial victory since that of Earl Warren in 1946, who won 91.64% of the vote.

To date, this was the most recent California gubernatorial election in which both major party candidates are now deceased.

Both major party candidates from 1982 were renominated with only token opposition.

George Deukmejian carried all but two counties.