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1982 United States Senate election in Rhode Island
	Chafee: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%; Michaelson: 50–60% 60–70%
U.S. senator before election; John Chafee; Republican	Elected U.S. Senator ; John Chafee; Republican

The 1982 United States Senate election in Rhode Island took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Republican Senator John Chafee successfully sought re-election to a second term, very narrowly defeating Democrat Julius C. Michaelson.

Republican primary

Candidates

John Chafee

Democratic primary

Candidates

Julius C. Michaelson, former Attorney General of Rhode Island
Helen E. Flynn

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Julius C. Michaelson	56,800	82.37
	Democratic	Helen E. Flynn	12,159	17.63
Majority			44,641	64.74%
Total votes			68,959	100.00

General election

Results

Republican Chafee was re-elected but received a lower percentage of the vote than in 1974. Michaelson had better name recognition than Chafee's previous opponent. Michaelson won Providence County, the state's most populous county, but Chafee was still able to win the state. This was the closest election of his career.

General election results^[2]^[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Chafee (inc.)	175,495	51.20
	Democratic	Julius C. Michaelson	167,283	48.80
Majority			8,212	2.40
Total votes			342,778	100.00
	Republican hold