1982Final results
1982 election for Maine's 1st District
U.S. House · Maine
John R. McKernan Jr. (R) won with 50.3% of the vote, defeating John M. Kerry (D) by 2.4 points.
John R. McKernan Jr.Republican · winner
50.3%124,850
John M. KerryDemocrat
47.9%118,884
Gregory J. FlemmingLibertarian
1.7%4,221
247,965 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.
John M. KerryJohn R. McKernan Jr.
$292K
Raised by the campaign
$338.3K
$288.9K
Spent by the campaign
$342.8K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
John R. McKernan Jr. (R)John M. Kerry (D)
Also on the ballot: Gregory J. Flemming (Libertarian), 1.7%