1982Final results
1982 election for Illinois's 21st District
U.S. House · Illinois
Melvin Price (D) won with 63.7% of the vote, defeating Robert H. "bob" Gaffner (R) by 30.4 points.
Melvin PriceDemocrat · winner
63.7%89,500
Robert H. "bob" GaffnerRepublican
33.3%46,764
Sandra L. ClimacoOther party
3.1%4,344
140,608 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1982
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Melvin PriceRobert H. "bob" Gaffner
$44.9K
Raised by the campaign
$12.7K
$35.2K
Spent by the campaign
$12.9K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Sandra L. Climaco $15.8K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
Melvin Price (D)Robert H. "bob" Gaffner (R)
Also on the ballot: Sandra L. Climaco (Other party), 3.1%