View source for 2002 United States gubernatorial elections

{{Short description|none}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 United States gubernatorial elections
| country            = United States
| type               = legislative
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 2001 United States gubernatorial elections
| previous_year      = 2001
| next_election      = 2003 United States gubernatorial elections
| next_year          = 2003
| seats_for_election = 38 governorships<br/>36 states; 2 territories
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| 1blank             = Seats up
| 2blank             = Seats won
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| seats_before1      = '''27'''
| seats_after1       = '''26'''
| seat_change1       = {{decrease}} 1
| popular_vote1       = '''30,843,168'''
| percentage1         = '''49.37%'''
| 1data1             = '''23'''
| 2data1             = '''22'''
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| seats_before2      = 21
| seats_after2       = 24
| seat_change2       = {{increase}} 3
| popular_vote2      = 27,777,088
| percentage2        = 44.47%
| 1data2             = 11
| 2data2             = 14
| party4             = Independent (United States)
| seats_before4      = 1
| seats_after4       = 0
| seat_change4       = {{decrease}} 1
| popular_vote4      = 524,973
| percentage4        = 0.84%
| 1data4             = 1
| 2data4             = 0
| party5             = Independence Party of Minnesota
| seats_before5      = 1
| seats_after5       = 0
| seat_change5       = {{decrease}} 1
| popular_vote5      = 364,534{{efn|Vote total does not include votes for the [[Reform Party of the United States of America|Reform Party]] or the [[Independence Party of New York]].}}
| percentage5        = 0.58%
| 1data5             = 1
| 2data5             = 0
| map_image          = {{2002 United States gubernatorial elections imagemap}}
| map_size           = 320px
| map_caption        = '''Map of the results'''<br>{{legend0|#F48984|Republican hold}} {{legend0|#CB001A|Republican gain}}<br>{{legend0|#94C6DF|Democratic hold}} {{legend0|#0272B1|Democratic gain}}<br>{{legend0|#D0D0D0|No election}}
}}
United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 5, 2002, in 36 states and two [[Unincorporated territories of the United States|territories]]. The [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] won eight seats previously held by the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], as well as the seat previously held by Minnesota governor [[Jesse Ventura]], who was elected on the [[Reform Party (United States)|Reform Party]] ticket but had since renounced his party affiliation. The Democrats won 10 seats previously held by the Republicans, as well as the seat previously held by Maine governor [[Angus King]], an [[Independent politician|independent]]. The elections were held concurrently with the other [[2002 United States elections|United States elections of 2002]].

Overall, the Republicans suffered a net loss of one seat while the Democrats made a net gain of three. The Republicans managed to maintain their majority of state governorships, but it was reduced to a margin of only two seats. The elections were notable for the sheer number of state governorships that changed parties – 20 in total, constituting more than half of the seats up for election. Additionally, a number of Democratic and Republican gains occurred in states that typically favor the other party; for instance, Republican candidates won the usually Democratic states of Maryland, Hawaii, Minnesota and Vermont, while Democratic governors were elected in Republican-leaning states like Wyoming, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Kansas.

As of {{CURRENTYEAR}}, this election marks the most recent cycle in which [[2002 Colorado gubernatorial election|Colorado]] or [[New York (state)|New York]] elected a Republican governor.

== Election ratings ==
{{anchor|predictions table}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center"
|- valign=bottom
! State
! Incumbent
! Last<br />race
! [[Sabato's Crystal Ball|Sabato]]<br>{{small|November 4,<br>2002}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.centerforpolitics.org:80/crystalball/governor_all.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021212142349/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/governor_all.htm|archive-date=December 12, 2002|title=Governors Races|website=www.centerforpolitics.org|language=en-US|date=November 4, 2002|access-date=September 18, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
! [[Cook Political Report|Cook]]<br>{{small|October 31,<br>2002}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cookpolitical.com:80/display.cfm?section=political&edit_id=225|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021208065752/http://www.cookpolitical.com/display.cfm?section=political&edit_id=225|archive-date=December 8, 2002|title=Governor Updated October 31, 2002 {{!}} The Cook Political Report|website=The Cook Political Report|language=en|date=October 31, 2002|access-date=September 18, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
! Result
|-
! Alabama
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Don|Siegelman}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-57.9 | 57.9% D
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=49.2 | [[Bob Riley|Riley]]<br>(49.2%)
|-
! Alaska
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Tony|Knowles|Tony Knowles (politician)}}<br>{{small|(Term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-51.3 | 51.3% D
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=55.8 | [[Frank Murkowski|Murkowski]]<br>(55.8%)
|-
! Arizona
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Jane|Dee Hull}}<br>{{small|(Term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=60.9 | 60.9% R
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-46.2 | [[Janet Napolitano|Napolitano]]<br>(46.2%)
|-
! Arkansas
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Mike|Huckabee}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=59.8 | 59.7% R
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=53.0 | [[Mike Huckabee|Huckabee]]<br>(53.0%)
|-
! California
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Gray|Davis}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-58.0 | 58.0% D
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-47.3 | Davis<br>(47.3%)
|-
! Colorado
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Bill|Owens|Bill Owens (Colorado politician)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=49.1 | 49.1% R
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=62.8 | Owens<br>(62.8%)
|-
! Connecticut
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|John G.|Rowland}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=62.9 | 62.9% R
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=56.1 | Rowland<br>(56.1%)
|-
! Florida
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Jeb|Bush}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=55.3 | 55.3% R
| {{USRaceRating|Leans|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=56.0 | Bush<br>(56.0%)
|-
! Georgia
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Roy|Barnes}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-52.5 | 52.5% D
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=51.4 | [[Sonny Perdue|Perdue]]<br>(51.4%)
|-
! Hawaii
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Ben|Cayetano}}<br>{{small|(Term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-50.1 | 50.1% D
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=51.6 | [[Linda Lingle|Lingle]]<br>(51.6%)
|-
! Idaho
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Dirk|Kempthorne}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=67.7 | 67.7% R
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=56.3 | Kempthorne<br>(56.3%)
|-
! Illinois
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|George|Ryan}}<br>{{small|(Retired)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=51.0 | 51.0% R
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-52.2 | [[Rod Blagojevich|Blagojevich]]<br>(52.2%)
|-
! Iowa
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Tom|Vilsack}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-52.3 | 52.3% D
| {{USRaceRating|Leans|D}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-52.7 | Vilsack<br>(52.7%)
|-
! Kansas
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Bill|Graves}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=73.4 | 73.4% R
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-52.9 | [[Kathleen Sebelius|Sebelius]]<br>(52.9%)
|-
! Maine
| {{party shading/Independent (US)}} | {{sortname|Angus|King}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Independent (US)}} data-sort-value=58.6 | 58.6% I
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-47.2 | [[John Baldacci|Baldacci]]<br>(47.2%)
|-
! Maryland
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Parris|Glendening}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-55.1 | 55.1% D
| {{USRaceRating|Leans|R|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=51.6 | [[Bob Ehrlich|Ehrlich]]<br>(51.6%)
|-
! Massachusetts
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Jane|Swift}}<br>{{small|(Retired)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=50.0 | 50.0% R
| {{USRaceRating|Leans|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=49.8 | [[Mitt Romney|Romney]]<br>(49.8%)
|-
! Michigan
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|John|Engler}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=62.2 | 62.2% R
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-51.4 | [[Jennifer Granholm|Granholm]]<br>(51.4%)
|-
! Minnesota
| {{party shading/Reform}} | {{sortname|Jessie|Ventura}}<br>{{small|(retired)}}
| {{party shading/Reform}} data-sort-value=37.0 | 37.0% Re
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=44.4 | [[Tim Pawlenty|Pawlenty]]<br>(44.4%)
|-
! Nebraska
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Mike|Johanns}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=53.9 | 53.9% R
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=68.7 | Johanns<br>(68.7%)
|-
! Nevada
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Kenny|Guinn}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=51.6 | 51.6% R
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=68.2 | Guinn<br>(68.2%)
|-
! New Hampshire
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Jeanne|Shaheen}}<br>{{small|(retired)}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-48.8 | 48.8% D
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R|flip}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=58.6 | [[Craig Benson]]<br>(58.6%)
|-
! New Mexico
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Gary|Johnson}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=54.5 | 54.5% R
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|flip}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-55.5 | [[Bill Richardson|Richardson]]<br>(55.5%)
|-
! New York
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|George|Pataki}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=54.3 | 54.3% R
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=49.4 | Pataki<br>(49.4%)
|-
! Ohio
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Bob|Taft}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=50.0 | 50.0% R
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=57.8 | Taft<br>(57.8%)
|-
! Oklahoma
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Frank|Keating}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=57.3 | 57.3% R
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-43.3 | [[Brad Henry|Henry]]<br>(43.3%)
|-
! Oregon
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|John|Kitzhaber}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-64.4 | 64.4% D
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}}
| {{USRaceRating|Leans|D}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-49.0 | [[Ted Kulongoski|Kulongoski]]<br>(49.0%)
|-
! Pennsylvania
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Mark|Schweiker}}<br>{{small|(retired)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=57.4 | 57.4% R
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-63.4 | [[Ed Rendell|Rendell]]<br>(53.4%)
|-
! Rhode Island
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Lincoln|Almond}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=51.0 | 51.0% R
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=54.8 | [[Donald Carcieri|Carcieri]]<br>(54.8%)
|-
! South Carolina
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Jim|Hodges}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=53.2 | 53.2% D
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=52.9 | [[Mark Sanford|Sanford]]<br>(52.9%)
|-
! South Dakota
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Bill|Janklow}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=64.0 | 64.0% R
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=56.8 | [[Mike Rounds|Rounds]]<br>(56.8%)
|-
! Tennessee
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Don|Sundquist}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=68.8 | 68.8% R
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-50.7 | [[Phil Bredesen|Bredesen]]<br>(50.7%)
|-
! Texas
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Rick|Perry}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=68.2 | 68.2% R
| {{USRaceRating|Likely|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=57.8 | [[Rick Perry|Perry]]<br>(57.8%)
|-
! Vermont
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | {{sortname|Howard|Dean}}<br>{{small|(retired)}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-50.5 | 50.5% D
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=44.9 | [[Jim Douglas|Douglas]]<br>(44.9%)
|-
! Wisconsin
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Scott|McCallum}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=59.7 | 59.7% R
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D|flip}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-45.1 | [[Jim Doyle|Doyle]]<br>(45.1%)
|-
! Wyoming
| {{party shading/Republican}} | {{sortname|Jim|Geringer}}<br>{{small|(term-limited)}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} data-sort-value=55.6 | 55.66 R
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R}}
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} data-sort-value=-50.0 | [[Dave Freudenthal|Freudenthal]]<br>(50.0%)
|}

==Race Summary==
=== States ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- valign=bottom
! State
! Incumbent
! Party
! First<br>elected
! Result
! Candidates
|-
! [[#Alabama|Alabama]]
| [[Don Siegelman]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1998 Alabama gubernatorial election|1998]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br>New governor [[2002 Alabama gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Bob R. Riley]]''' (Republican) 49.2%
* [[Don Siegelman]] (Democratic) 49.0%
* [[John Sophocleus]] (Libertarian) 1.7%
}}
|-
! [[#Alaska|Alaska]]
| [[Tony Knowles (politician)|Tony Knowles]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1994 Alaska gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Alaska gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Frank Murkowski]]''' (Republican) 55.9%
* [[Fran Ulmer]] (Democratic) 40.7%
* [[Diane E. Benson]] (Green) 1.3%
}}
|-
! [[#Arizona|Arizona]]
| [[Jane Dee Hull]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| 1997{{efn|Hull took office after her predecessor ([[Fife Symington]]) resigned. She was subsequently elected in the [[1998 Arizona gubernatorial election]].}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Arizona gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Janet Napolitano]]''' (Democratic) 46.2%
* [[Matt Salmon]] (Republican) 45.2%
* [[Richard D. Mahoney]] (Independent) 6.9%
* [[Barry Hess]] (Libertarian) 1.7%
}}
|-
! [[#Arkansas|Arkansas]]
| [[Mike Huckabee]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| 1996{{efn|Huckabee took office after his predecessor ([[Jim Guy Tucker]]) resigned. He was subsequently elected in the [[1998 Arkansas gubernatorial election]].}}
| Incumbent [[2002 Arkansas gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Mike Huckabee]]''' (Republican) 53.0%
* [[Jimmie Lou Fisher]] (Democratic) 47.0%
}}
|-
! [[#California|California]]
| [[Gray Davis]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1998 California gubernatorial election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 California gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Gray Davis]]''' (Democratic) 47.3%
* [[Bill Simon (politician)|Bill Simon]] (Republican) 42.4%
* [[Peter Camejo]] (Green) 5.3%
* Gary Copeland (Libertarian) 2.2%
* Reinhold Gulke (American Independent) 1.7%
* Iris Adam (Natural Law) 1.2%
}}
|-
! [[#Colorado|Colorado]]
| [[Bill Owens (Colorado politician)|Bill Owens]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1998 Colorado gubernatorial election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 Colorado gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Bill Owens (Colorado politician)|Bill Owens]]''' (Republican) 62.6%
* [[Rollie Heath]] (Democratic) 33.6%
* Ronald Forthofer (Green) 2.3%
* Ralph Shnelvar (Libertarian) 1.4%
}}
|-
! [[#Connecticut|Connecticut]]
| [[John G. Rowland]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1994 Connecticut gubernatorial election|1994]]
| Incumbent [[2002 Connecticut gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[John G. Rowland]]''' (Republican) 56.1%
* [[Bill Curry (politician)|Bill Curry]] (Democratic) 43.9%
}}
|-
! [[#Florida|Florida]]
| [[Jeb Bush]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1998 Florida gubernatorial election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 Florida gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Jeb Bush]]''' (Republican) 56.0%
* [[Bill McBride (candidate)|Bill McBride]] (Democratic) 43.2%
}}
|-
! [[#Georgia|Georgia]]
| [[Roy Barnes]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1998 Georgia gubernatorial election|1998]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br>New governor [[2002 Georgia gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Sonny Perdue]]''' (Republican) 51.4%
* [[Roy Barnes]] (Democratic) 46.3%
* Garrett Hayes (Libertarian) 2.3%
}}
|-
! [[#Hawaii|Hawaii]]
| [[Ben Cayetano]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1994 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Linda Lingle]]''' (Republican) 51.6%
* [[Mazie Hirono]] (Democratic) 47.0%
}}
|-
! [[#Idaho|Idaho]]
| [[Dirk Kempthorne]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1998 Idaho gubernatorial election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 Idaho gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Dirk Kempthorne]]''' (Republican) 56.3%
* Jerry Brady (Democratic) 41.7%
* Daniel Adams (Libertarian) 2.0%
}}
|-
! [[#Illinois|Illinois]]
| [[George Ryan]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1998 Illinois gubernatorial election|1998]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent retired.<br>New governor [[2002 Illinois gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Rod Blagojevich]]''' (Democratic) 52.2%
* [[Jim Ryan (politician)|Jim Ryan]] (Republican) 45.1%
* [[Calvin Skinner]] (Libertarian) 2.1%
}}
|-
! [[#Iowa|Iowa]]
| [[Tom Vilsack]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1998 Iowa gubernatorial election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 Iowa gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Tom Vilsack]]''' (Democratic) 52.7%
* Doug Gross (Republican) 44.5%
* Jay Robinson (Green) 1.4%
* Clyde Cleveland (Libertarian) 1.3%
}}
|-
! [[#Kansas|Kansas]]
| [[Bill Graves]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1994 Kansas gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Kansas gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Kathleen Sebelius]]''' (Democratic) 52.9%
* [[Tim Shallenburger]] (Republican) 45.1%
* Theodore Pettibone (Reform) 1.1%
* Dennis Hawver (Libertarian) 1.0%
}}
|-
! [[#Maine|Maine]]
| [[Angus King]]
| {{party shading/Independent (US)}} | Independent
| [[1994 Maine gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Maine gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[John Baldacci]]''' (Democratic) 47.1%
* [[Peter Cianchette]] (Republican) 41.5%
* [[Jonathan Carter (politician)|Jonathan Carter]] (Green) 9.3%
* [[John Michael (politician)|John Michael]] (Independent) 2.1%
}}
|-
! [[#Maryland|Maryland]]
| [[Parris Glendening]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1994 Maryland gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Maryland gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Bob Ehrlich]]''' (Republican) 51.5%
* [[Kathleen Kennedy Townsend|Kathleen K. Townsend]] (Democratic) 47.7%
}}
|-
! [[#Massachusetts|Massachusetts]]
| [[Jane Swift]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| 2001{{efn|Swift took office after her predecessor ([[Paul Cellucci]]) resigned.}}
| {{party shading/Republican/Hold}} | Incumbent retired.<br>New governor [[2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>Republican hold.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Mitt Romney]]''' (Republican) 49.8%
* [[Shannon O'Brien]] (Democratic) 44.9%
* [[Jill Stein]] (Green-Rainbow) 3.5%
* [[Carla Howell]] (Libertarian) 1.1%
}}
|-
! [[#Michigan|Michigan]]
| [[John Engler]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1990 Michigan gubernatorial election|1990]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Michigan gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Jennifer Granholm]]''' (Democratic) 51.4%
* [[Dick Posthumus]] (Republican) 47.4%
}}
|-
! [[#Minnesota|Minnesota]]
| [[Jesse Ventura]]
| {{party shading/Independence}} | Independence{{efn|The Minnesota Independence Party was known as the Reform Party of Minnesota until 2000.}}
| [[1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election|1998]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent retired.<br>New governor [[2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Tim Pawlenty]]''' (Republican) 44.4%
* [[Roger Moe]] (Democratic) 36.5%
* [[Tim Penny]] (Independence) 16.2%
* Ken Pentel (Green) 2.3%
}}
|-
! [[#Nebraska|Nebraska]]
| [[Mike Johanns]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 Nebraska gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Mike Johanns]]''' (Republican) 68.7%
* Stormy Dean (Democratic) 27.5%
* Paul A. Rosberg (Nebraska) 3.8%
}}
|-
! [[#Nevada|Nevada]]
| [[Kenny Guinn]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1998 Nevada gubernatorial election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 Nevada gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Kenny Guinn]]''' (Republican) 68.2%
* [[Joe Neal (politician)|Joe Neal]] (Democratic) 22.0%
* Dick Geyer (Libertarian) 1.6%
* David G. Holmgren (Independent American) 1.4%
* Jerry L. Norton (Independent) 1.1%
}}
|-
! [[#New Hampshire|New Hampshire]]
| [[Jeanne Shaheen]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1996 New Hampshire gubernatorial election|1996]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent retired to [[2002 United States Senate election in New Hampshire|run for U.S. Senator]].<br>New governor [[2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Craig Benson]]''' (Republican) 58.6%
* [[Mark Fernald]] (Democratic) 38.2%
* John Babiarz (Libertarian) 2.9%
}}
|-
! [[#New Mexico|New Mexico]]
| [[Gary Johnson]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1994 New Mexico gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 New Mexico gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Bill Richardson]]''' (Democratic) 55.5%
* [[John Sanchez]] (Republican) 39.0%
* David Bacon (Green) 5.5%
}}
|-
! [[#New York|New York]]
| [[George Pataki]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1994 New York gubernatorial election|1994]]
| Incumbent [[2002 New York gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[George Pataki]]''' (Republican) 49.4%
* [[Carl McCall]] (Democratic) 33.5%
* [[Tom Golisano]] (Independence) 14.3%
* Gerald Cronin (Right to Life) 1.0%
}}
|-
! [[#Ohio|Ohio]]
| [[Bob Taft]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1998 Ohio gubernatorial election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 Ohio gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Bob Taft]]''' (Republican) 57.8%
* [[Tim Hagan]] (Democratic) 38.3%
* John Eastman (Independent) 3.9%
}}
|-
! [[#Oklahoma|Oklahoma]]
| [[Frank Keating]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1994 Oklahoma gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Brad Henry]]''' (Democratic) 43.3%
* [[Steve Largent]] (Republican) 42.6%
* [[Gary Richardson (lawyer)|Gary Richardson]] (Independent) 14.1%
}}
|-
! [[#Oregon|Oregon]]
| [[John Kitzhaber]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1994 Oregon gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Democratic/Hold}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Oregon gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>Democratic hold.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Ted Kulongoski]]''' (Democratic) 49.0%
* [[Kevin Mannix]] (Republican) 46.2%
* Tom Cox (Libertarian) 4.6%
}}
|-
! [[#Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]]
| [[Mark Schweiker]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| 2001{{efn|Schweiker took office after his predecessor ([[Tom Ridge]]) resigned.}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent retired.<br>New governor [[2002 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Ed Rendell]]''' (Democratic) 53.4%
* [[D. Michael Fisher|Mike Fisher]] (Republican) 44.4%
* Ken Krawchuk (Libertarian) 1.1%
* Mike Morrill (Green) 1.1%
}}
|-
! [[#Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]
| [[Lincoln Almond]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1994 Rhode Island gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Republican/Hold}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Rhode Island gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>Republican hold.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Donald Carcieri]]''' (Republican) 54.8%
* [[Myrth York]] (Democratic) 45.2%
}}
|-
! [[#South Carolina|South Carolina]]
| [[Jim Hodges]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1998 South Carolina gubernatorial election|1998]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br>New governor [[2002 South Carolina gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Mark Sanford]]''' (Republican) 52.9%
* [[Jim Hodges]] (Democratic) 47.0%
}}
|-
! [[#South Dakota|South Dakota]]
| [[Bill Janklow]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1978 South Dakota gubernatorial election|1978]]<br/>1986 {{small|(term-limited)}}<br/>[[1994 South Dakota gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Republican/Hold}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 South Dakota gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>Republican hold.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Mike Rounds]]''' (Republican) 56.8%
* [[James W. Abbott|Jim Abbott]] (Democratic) 41.9%
}}
|-
! [[#Tennessee|Tennessee]]
| [[Don Sundquist]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1994 Tennessee gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Tennessee gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Phil Bredesen]]''' (Democratic) 50.6%
* [[Van Hilleary]] (Republican) 47.6%
}}
|-
! [[#Texas|Texas]]
| [[Rick Perry]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| 2000{{efn|Perry took office after his predecessor ([[George W. Bush]]) resigned to become President of the United States.}}
| Incumbent [[2002 Texas gubernatorial election|elected to full term]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Rick Perry]]''' (Republican) 57.8%
* [[Tony Sanchez (politician)|Tony Sanchez]] (Democratic) 40.0%
* Jeff Daiell (Libertarian) 1.5%
}}
|-
! [[#Vermont|Vermont]]
| [[Howard Dean]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| 1991{{efn|Dean took office after his predecessor ([[Richard Snelling]]) died. He was subsequently elected in the [[1992 Vermont gubernatorial election]].}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent retired.<br>New governor [[2002 Vermont gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Jim Douglas]]''' (Republican) 44.9%
* [[Doug Racine]] (Democratic) 42.4%
* Cornelius Hogan (Independent) 9.7%
}}
|-
! [[#Wisconsin|Wisconsin]]
| [[Scott McCallum]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| 2001{{efn|McCallum took office after his predecessor ([[Tommy Thompson]]) resigned.}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent lost election to full term.<br>New governor [[2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Jim Doyle]]''' (Democratic) 45.1%
* [[Scott McCallum]] (Republican) 41.4%
* [[Ed Thompson (Wisconsin politician)|Ed Thompson]] (Libertarian) 10.4%
* Jim Young (Green) 2.5%
}}
|-
! [[#Wyoming|Wyoming]]
| [[Jim Geringer]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| [[1994 Wyoming gubernatorial election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent term-limited.<br>New governor [[2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election|elected]].<br>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Dave Freudenthal]]''' (Democratic) 50.0%
* [[Eli Bebout]] (Republican) 47.9%
* Dave Dawson (Libertarian) 2.1%
}}
|}

=== Territories and federal district ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- valign=bottom
! Territory
! Incumbent
! Party
! First<br>elected
! Result
! Candidates
|-
! [[#District of Columbia|District of Columbia]]
| [[Anthony A. Williams]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1998 Washington, D.C., mayoral election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 Washington, D.C., mayoral election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Anthony A. Williams]]''' (Democratic) 60.6%
* [[Carol Schwartz]] (Republican) 34.5%
* Steve Donkin (Statehood Green) 2.5%
}}
|-
! [[#Guam|Guam]]
| [[Carl Gutierrez]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1994 Guamanian general election|1994]]
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost renomination.<br>New governor [[2002 Guamanian general election|elected]].<br>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Felix Perez Camacho|Felix P. Camacho]]''' (Republican) 55.4%
* [[Robert A. Underwood]] (Democratic) 44.6%
}}
|-
! [[#U.S. Virgin Islands|U.S. Virgin Islands]]
| [[Charles W. Turnbull|Charles Turnbull]]
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| [[1998 American Samoan general election|1998]]
| Incumbent [[2002 United States Virgin Islands gubernatorial election|re-elected]].
| nowrap | {{plainlist |
* {{aye}} '''[[Charles W. Turnbull]]''' (Democratic) 50.1%
* [[John P. de Jongh]] (Independent) 24.6%
* [[Alicia Hansen]] (Independent) 7.8%
* Michael Bornn (Republican) 7.2%
* [[Gerard Luz James II]] (Independent) 5.1%
* Cora Christian (Independent) 3.1%
* Lloyd L. Williams (Independent) 1.5%
}}
|}

== Closest races ==
States where the margin of victory was under 1%:
# '''<span style="color:red;">Alabama, 0.2%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Oklahoma, 0.7%</span>'''

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Arizona, 1.0%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Wyoming, 2.0%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:red;">Vermont, 2.5%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Oregon, 2.9%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Tennessee, 3.1%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Wisconsin, 3.7%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:red;">Maryland, 3.9%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Michigan, 4.0%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:red;">Hawaii, 4.6%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:red;">Massachusetts, 4.8%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">California, 4.9%</span>'''

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:
# '''<span style="color:red;">Georgia, 5.2%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Maine, 5.7%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:red;">South Carolina, 5.9%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:red;">Arkansas, 6.1%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Illinois, 7.1%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Kansas, 7.8%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:red;">Minnesota, 7.9%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Iowa, 8.2%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:blue;">Pennsylvania, 9.0%</span>'''
# '''<span style="color:red;">Rhode Island, 9.5%</span>'''

==Alabama==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Alabama gubernatorial election
| country = Alabama
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Alabama gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Alabama gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[File:Governor Bob Riley (cropped).jpg |x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Bob Riley]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''672,225'''
| percentage1 = '''49.2%'''
| image2 = [[File:Don Siegelman at Netroots Nation 2008 (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Don Siegelman]]
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 669,105
| percentage2 = 48.9%
| map_image = {{switcher |[[File:2002 Alabama gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|250px]]|County results|[[File:2002 Alabama Gubernatorial election by Congressional District.svg|250px]]|Congressional district results}}
| map_caption = '''Riley:''' {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}<br/>'''Siegelman:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
| title = [[Governor of Alabama|Governor]]
| before_election = [[Don Siegelman]]
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Bob Riley]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Alabama gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5. The race pitted incumbent governor [[Don Siegelman]], a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], against [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Bob Riley (Alabama)|Bob Riley]], a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], and [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] nominee [[John Sophocleus]]. As of 2023, this is the last time the Governor’s office in Alabama changed partisan control.

The result was an extremely narrow victory for Riley. The certified results showed Riley with 672,225 votes to Siegelman's 669,105, a difference of 3,120 votes, or 0.23% of the 1,367,053 votes cast. Sophocleus garnered 23,272 votes, and 2,451 votes were for [[write-in candidate]]s. The close and controversial election was marked by high [[voter turnout|turnout]].
{{clear}}

==Alaska==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Alaska gubernatorial election
| country            = Alaska
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Alaska gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Alaska gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:Frank Murkowski 2002 pictorial.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Frank Murkowski]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate1      = '''[[Loren Leman]]'''
| popular_vote1      = '''129,279'''
| percentage1        = '''55.8%'''
| image2             = [[File:Fran Ulmer cropped.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2           = [[Fran Ulmer]]
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate2      = Ernie Hall
| popular_vote2      = 94,216
| percentage2        = 40.7%
|map_image=2002 Alaska gubernatorial election by State House District.svg
|map_size=325px
|map_caption=Results by state house district<br/>'''Murkowski''': {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}<br/>'''Ulmer''': {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Tony Knowles (politician)|Tony Knowles]]
| before_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Frank Murkowski]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Alaska gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002, for the post of [[List of governors of Alaska|Governor of Alaska]]. [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] [[Frank Murkowski]] defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[List of Lieutenant Governors of Alaska|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Fran Ulmer]].  Murkowski became the first Republican elected governor of Alaska since [[Jay Hammond]] in 1978.
{{clear}}

==Arizona==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Arizona gubernatorial election
| country            = Arizona
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Arizona gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Arizona gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:Portrait Napolitano hires crop.JPG|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Janet Napolitano]]'''
| party1             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''566,284'''
| percentage1        = '''46.2%'''
| image2             = [[File:Congressional Portrait of Matt Salmon.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2           = [[Matt Salmon]]
| party2             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 554,465
| percentage2        = 45.2%
| image3             = [[File:Richard Mahoney.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee3           = [[Richard Mahoney]]
| party3             = Independent (United States)
| popular_vote3      = 84,947
| percentage3        = 6.9%
| map_image          = 2002 Arizona gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 210px
| map_caption        = County results<br />'''Napolitano:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}<br />'''Salmon:''' {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Jane Dee Hull]]
| before_party       = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Janet Napolitano]]
| after_party        = Democratic Party (United States)
| turnout = 56.33%<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://azsos.gov/elections/results-data/voter-registration-statistics|title=Voter Registration Statistics &#124; Arizona Secretary of State|accessdate=7 May 2023}}</ref>
}}

The '''2002 Arizona gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor Jane Dee Hull was term-limited. The [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee, [[Arizona Attorney General]] [[Janet Napolitano]], narrowly defeated Republican [[Matt Salmon]], a former [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]]. Upon her inauguration, Napolitano became the first woman to succeed another woman as Governor of a state. Until [[2022 Arizona gubernatorial election|2022]], this was the last gubernatorial election in Arizona in which the margin of victory was single digits.
{{clear}}

==Arkansas==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Arkansas gubernatorial election
| country = Arkansas
| flag_year = 1924
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Arkansas gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Arkansas gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = Mike Huckabee, August 2002 c.jpg
| nominee1 = '''[[Mike Huckabee]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''427,082'''
| percentage1 = '''53.01%'''
| image2 = [[File:3x4.svg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Jimmie Lou Fisher]]
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 378,250
| percentage2 = 46.95%
| map_image = 2002 Arkansas gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 200px
| map_caption = County results<br/>
'''Huckabee:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} <br>
'''Fisher:''' {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Mike Huckabee]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Mike Huckabee]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Arkansas gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002 for the post of [[Governor of Arkansas]]. [[Incumbent]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor [[Mike Huckabee]] defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[Arkansas State Treasurer|State Treasurer]] [[Jimmie Lou Fisher]].
{{clear}}

==California==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 California gubernatorial election
| country            = California
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 California gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2003 California gubernatorial recall election
| next_year          = 2003 (recall)
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| turnout = 36.05% {{decrease}}5.38pp
| image1             = Gray Davis, portrait.jpg
| nominee1           = '''[[Gray Davis]]'''
| party1             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''3,533,490'''
| percentage1        = '''47.3%'''
| image2             = Bill Simon (3x4a).jpg
| nominee2           = [[Bill Simon (politician)|Bill Simon]]
| party2             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 3,169,801
| percentage2        = 42.4%
| image3             = Peter Camejo (3x4a).gif
| nominee3           = [[Peter Camejo]]
| party3             = Green Party of the United States
| popular_vote3      = 393,036
| percentage3        = 5.3%
| map_image          = 2002 California gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 300px
| map_caption        = County results<br/>'''Davis''': {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}<br />'''Simon''': {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title              = [[Governor of California|Governor]]
| before_election    = [[Gray Davis]]
| before_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Gray Davis]]
| after_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 California gubernatorial election''' was an election that occurred on November 5, 2002. [[California Democratic Party|Democrat]] [[Gray Davis]] defeated [[California Republican Party|Republican]] [[Bill Simon (politician)|Bill Simon]] by 5% and was re-elected to a second four-year term as [[Governor of California]]. Davis would be [[2003 California gubernatorial recall election|recalled]] less than a year into his next term.

The 2002 gubernatorial primary occurred in March 2002. Gray Davis faced no major competitor in the primary and won the nomination. Simon defeated former [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] Mayor [[Richard Riordan]] in the Republican primary. Gray Davis ran a series of negative ads against Riordan in the primary. Riordan was seen as a moderate and early state polls showed him defeating Gray Davis in the general election.
{{clear}}

==Colorado==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Colorado gubernatorial election
| country            = Colorado
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Colorado gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| next_election      = 2006 Colorado gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| image1             = [[File:Bill Owens 2002 (cropped).jpg|x160px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Bill Owens (Colorado politician)|Bill Owens]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate1      = '''[[Jane E. Norton]]'''
| popular_vote1      = '''884,583'''
| percentage1        = '''62.62%'''
| image2             = [[File:Rollie Heath.jpeg|x160px]]
| nominee2           = [[Rollie Heath]]
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate2      = [[Bill Thiebaut]]
| popular_vote2      = 475,373
| percentage2        = 33.65%
| map_image          = 2002 Colorado gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 250px
| map_caption        = County results<br />'''Owens:''' {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}<br />'''Heath:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} 
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Bill Owens (Colorado politician)|Bill Owens]]
| before_party       = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Bill Owens (Colorado politician)|Bill Owens]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Colorado gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002 to elect the [[governor of Colorado]]. Bill Owens, the Republican incumbent, defeated Democratic nominee Rollie Heath to win a second term. Owen's win set the record for biggest win by a Republican in a Colorado gubernatorial election (Democrats won by larger margins in [[1982 Colorado gubernatorial election|1982]], [[1948 Colorado gubernatorial election|1948]], and [[1928 Colorado gubernatorial election|1928]], with [[Billy Adams (politician)|Billy Adams]]' 35 point blowout in that year being the greatest victory for a candidate of any party).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Campaigns - Container Detail Page |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/ContainerHistory.html?ContainerID=110 |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=www.ourcampaigns.com}}</ref> As of {{CURRENTYEAR}}, this is the last time a Republican was elected Governor of Colorado.
{{clear}}

==Connecticut==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Connecticut gubernatorial election
| country = Connecticut
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Connecticut gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| next_election = 2006 Connecticut gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| image1 = [[File:John Rowland (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[John G. Rowland]]'''
| running_mate1      = '''[[Jodi Rell]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''573,958'''
| percentage1 = '''56.1%'''
| map                = {{switcher|[[file:2002 Connecticut gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|220px]]
|County results 
|[[file:2002 Connecticut gubernatorial election results map by municipality.svg|220px]]
|Municipality results}}
| map_caption = '''Rowland:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}<br/>'''Curry:''' {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[John G. Rowland]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[John G. Rowland]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
| image2 = 
| nominee2 = [[Bill Curry (politician)|Bill Curry]]
| running_mate2      = [[George Jepsen]]
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 448,984
| percentage2 = 43.9%
}}

The '''2002 Connecticut gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor [[John G. Rowland]] won reelection to a third consecutive term, defeating [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Bill Curry (politician)|Bill Curry]]. Rowland became the first [[List of governors of Connecticut|Connecticut Governor]] to win a third term in office, but did not finish his term, resigning in 2004 due to allegations of corruption. Despite losing this election, as of 2022, Curry is the last Democratic gubernatorial candidate to carry [[Windham County, Connecticut|Windham County]].
{{clear}}

==Florida==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Florida gubernatorial election
| country = Florida
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Florida gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Florida gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[File:Jeb Bush 1999 (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Jeb Bush]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party of Florida
| running_mate1 = '''[[Frank Brogan]]'''
| popular_vote1 = '''2,856,845'''
| percentage1 = '''56.0%'''
| image2 = 3x4.svg<!-- Do not put the image of Bill McBride from his Wikipedia article here. Due to copyright, that image may only be used on the Bill McBride article. -->
| nominee2 = [[Bill McBride (politician)|Bill McBride]]
| party2 = Florida Democratic Party
| running_mate2 = [[Tom Rossin]]
| popular_vote2 = 2,201,427
| percentage2 = 43.2%
| map_image = 2002 Florida gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County results<br/>'''Bush''': {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}<br/>'''McBride''': {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Jeb Bush]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Jeb Bush]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
| turnout = 55.3%{{increase}}5.8<ref>{{cite web |url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/5/2002&DATAMODE=|title=November 5, 2002 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=2022-05-15}}</ref>
}}

The '''2002 Florida gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002 for the post of [[List of Governors of Florida|Governor of Florida]]. [[Incumbent]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor [[Jeb Bush]] defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidate [[Bill McBride (politician)|Bill McBride]]. Bush became the first  Republican governor of Florida to win re-election to a second term.<ref name=history>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeb-bush-makes-history-in-florida/ | title = Jeb Bush Makes History In Florida | access-date = 2008-05-22 | date = 2002-11-06| work=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref name=analysts>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E5DF1F3EF934A35752C1A9649C8B63 | title = The 2002 Elections: Florida – Bush Looks to 2nd Term As Analysts Point to 2004 | access-date = 2008-05-25 | date = 2002-11-07| work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Dana | last=Canedy}}</ref> This election was the last time until [[2022 Florida gubernatorial election|2022]] a Florida gubernatorial candidate won the general election by double digits or that a Republican won Miami-Dade County. This was the first time in Florida's history that a Republican Governor was re-elected.
{{clear}}

==Georgia==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Georgia gubernatorial election
| country            = Georgia (U.S. state)
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Georgia gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Georgia gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| flag_year          = 2001
| image1             = [[File:Sonny Perdue at rally.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Sonny Perdue]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''1,041,677'''
| percentage1        = '''51.39%'''
| image2             = [[File:Roy Barnes concession speech (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2           = [[Roy Barnes]]
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 937,062
| percentage2        = 46.23%
| map_image          = 2002 Georgia gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 240px
| map_caption        = County results<br />'''Perdue''': {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}<br />'''Barnes''': {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}<br />'''''Tie:''''' {{legend0|#cdafdcff|40–50%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Roy Barnes]]
| before_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Sonny Perdue]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Georgia gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] governor [[Roy Barnes]] sought re-election to a second term as governor. [[Georgia State Senate|State Senator]] [[Sonny Perdue]] emerged as the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee from a crowded and hotly contested primary, and he faced off against Barnes, who had faced no opponents in his primary election, in the general election. Though Barnes had been nicknamed "King Roy" due to his unique ability to get his legislative priorities passed, he faced a backlash among [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] voters due to his proposal to change the [[Flag of Georgia (U.S. state)|state flag]] from its [[Flags of the Confederate States of America|Confederate design]].

Ultimately, Perdue was able to defeat incumbent governor Barnes and became the first Republican to serve as governor of the state since [[Reconstruction Era|Reconstruction]]. This was only the second election that a Republican won in the state's history, the other being in 1868. The result was widely considered a major upset.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/06/us/2002-elections-georgia-senator-cleland-loses-upset-republican-emphasizing.html|title = The 2002 Elections: Georgia – Senator Cleland Loses in an Upset to Republican Emphasizing Defense|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 6 November 2002|last1 = Gettleman|first1 = Jeffrey}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Hawaii==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election
| country            = Hawaii
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Hawaii gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Hawaii gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:Linda Lingle navy 1-cropped.jpg|160x160px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Linda Lingle]]'''
| running_mate1      = '''[[Duke Aiona]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''197,009'''
| percentage1        = '''51.6%'''
| image2             = [[Image:Mazie_Hirono,_official_110th_Congress_photo.jpg|160x160px]]
| nominee2           = [[Mazie Hirono]]
| running_mate2      = Matt Matsunaga
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 179,647
| percentage2        = 47.0%
| map_image          = 2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 250px
| map_caption        = County results<br />'''Lingle:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}}<br />'''Hirono:''' {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Ben Cayetano]]
| before_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Linda Lingle]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002, to select the [[governor of Hawaii]]. Incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[Governor of Hawaii]] [[Ben Cayetano]] was term-limited and therefore could not run for re-election. Former [[Mayor of Maui|Maui Mayor]] [[Linda Lingle]], who had narrowly lost the [[1998 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1998 election]], was nominated once again by the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] while [[Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Mazie Hirono]] earned the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nomination in a tight race. Lingle and Hirono duked it out in a hard-fought campaign, with Hirono's campaign crippled by allegations of corruption within the [[Hawaii Democratic Party]] and many voters desiring a change.<ref name="nyt2002">{{cite news |last1=Broder |first1=John M. |title=The 2002 Campaign: The Democrats – Hawaii Democrats Reeling After Scandals and a Death |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/19/us/2002-campaign-democrats-hawaii-democrats-reeling-after-scandals-death.html |access-date=21 August 2019 |agency=The New York Times |date=19 October 2002}}</ref>

Ultimately Lingle defeated Hirono in a close election, making her the first [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor of Hawaii elected since [[1959 Hawaii gubernatorial election|1959]] and the state's first-ever female governor. She was the first white governor of the state since 1970. Lingle and Hirono faced off again in Hawaii’s [[2012 United States Senate election in Hawaii|2012 U.S. Senate election]], where Hirono won 63% - 37%, making Lingle the first female governor and Hirono the first female U.S. senator in Hawaii history.
{{clear}}

==Idaho==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Idaho gubernatorial election
| country            = Idaho
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Idaho gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Idaho gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[Image:Dirkkempthornesenate.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Dirk Kempthorne]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''231,566'''
| percentage1        = '''56.3%'''
| image2             = [[File:3x4.svg|x150px]]
| nominee2           = Jerry Brady
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 171,711
| percentage2        = 41.7%
| map_image          = 2002 Idaho gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 160px
| map_caption        = County results <br />'''Kempthorne:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}<br />'''Brady:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Dirk Kempthorne]]
| before_party       = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Dirk Kempthorne]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
}}
The '''2002 Idaho gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002 to select the [[Governor of Idaho|governor]] of the state of [[Idaho]]. [[Dirk Kempthorne]], the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] incumbent, defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee Jerry Brady to win a second term, but the win was not nearly as overwhelming as Kempthorne's 1998 victory. This was the first Idaho gubernatorial election since 1978 in which the winner was of the same party as the [[George W. Bush|incumbent]] president.
{{clear}}

==Illinois==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Illinois gubernatorial election
| country = Illinois
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Illinois gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Illinois gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[File:B-Rod.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Rod Blagojevich]]'''
| running_mate1 = '''[[Pat Quinn (politician)|Pat Quinn]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''1,847,040'''
| percentage1 = '''52.2%'''
| image2 = [[File:No image.svg|x120px]]
| image2_size = 100
| nominee2 = [[Jim Ryan (politician)|Jim Ryan]]
| running_mate2 = [[Carl Hawkinson]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,594,961
| percentage2 = 45.1%
| map_image = 2002 Illinois gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = <!-- Not needed, new standard map is large enough -->
| map_caption = County results <br/>'''Blagojevich:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}<br/>'''Ryan:''' {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[George Ryan]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Rod Blagojevich]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| turnout = 50.05% {{increase}} 0.33 [[Percentage point|pp]]
}}

The '''2002 Illinois gubernatorial election''' occurred on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican governor [[George Ryan]], who was plagued by scandal, did not run for a second term. Democrat [[Rod Blagojevich]], a U.S. Congressman, ran against Republican [[Jim Ryan (politician)|Jim Ryan]] (no relation to the incumbent), the [[Illinois Attorney General]]. Blagojevich won 52% to 45%, becoming the first Democrat to win an election for governor since [[1972 Illinois gubernatorial election|1972]]. As of 2023 this is the last Illinois governor election where no candidate running was an incumbent.
{{Clear}}

==Iowa==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Iowa gubernatorial election
| country            = Iowa
| flag_image         = Flag of Iowa (xrmap collection).svg
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Iowa gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Iowa gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:Tom Vilsack, official USDA photo portrait.jpg |x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Tom Vilsack]]'''
| party1             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''540,449'''
| percentage1        = '''52.7%'''
| image2             = [[File:Doug Gross (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2           = Doug Gross
| party2             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 456,612
| percentage2        = 44.5%
| map_image         = 2002 Iowa gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size          = 240px
| map_caption       = County results<br />'''Vilsack:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}<br />'''Gross:''' {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70-80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Tom Vilsack]]
| before_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Tom Vilsack]]
| after_party        = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Iowa gubernatorial election''' took place November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[Governor of Iowa]] [[Tom Vilsack]] sought re-election to a second term as governor. Governor Vilsack won his party's nomination uncontested, while Doug Gross, an advisor to former governor [[Terry Branstad]], narrowly won the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]'s primary in a crowded and competitive primary election. In the general election, Vilsack was able to improve slightly on his margin of victory four years earlier to win what would be his second and final term as governor.
{{clear}}

==Kansas==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Kansas gubernatorial election
| country = Kansas
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Kansas gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Kansas gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[File:Sebeliusofficialphoto.jpg|125px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Kathleen Sebelius]]'''
| running_mate1 = '''[[John E. Moore (politician)|John E. Moore]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''441,858'''
| percentage1 = '''52.9%'''
| image2 = [[File:No image.svg|125px]]
| nominee2 = [[Tim Shallenburger]]
| running_mate2 = [[Dave Lindstrom]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 376,830
| percentage2 = 45.1%
| map_image = 2002 Kansas gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 270px
| map_caption = County results<br />'''Sebelius''': {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}<br />'''Shallenburger''': {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}<br />'''''Tie:''''' {{legend0|#cdafdc|40–50%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Bill Graves]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Kathleen Sebelius]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Kansas gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent governor [[Bill Graves]], a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], was barred from seeking a third term by the [[Wyandotte Constitution|Kansas Constitution]]. [[Kansas Insurance Commissioner]] [[Kathleen Sebelius]], the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee, ran against [[Kansas State Treasurer]] [[Tim Shallenburger]], the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee, with Sebelius defeating Shallenburger to become the second female [[List of governors of Kansas|Governor of Kansas]] after [[Joan Finney]] who served as governor from 1991 to 1995.
{{clear}}

==Maine==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Maine gubernatorial election
| country            = Maine 
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Maine gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Maine gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[Image:Governor John E. Baldacci at Kibby Mountain in Western Maine.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[John Baldacci]]'''
| party1             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''238,179'''
| percentage1        = '''47.15%'''
| image2             = [[Image:PeterCianchette.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2           = [[Peter Cianchette]]
| party2             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 209,496
| percentage2        = 41.47%
| image3             = [[File:3x4.svg|x150px]]
| nominee3           = [[Jonathan Carter (politician)|Jonathan Carter]]
| party3             = Green Party of the United States
| popular_vote3      = 46,903
| percentage3        = 9.28%
| map_image          = {{switcher
|[[File:2002 Maine gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|300px]]|County results
|[[File:2002 Maine gubernatorial election results map by municipality.jpg|200px]]|Municipality results}}
| map_size           = 
| map_caption        = '''Baldacci:''' {{legend0|#bdd3ff|30–40%}} {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0d056c|>90%}}}<br />'''Cianchette:'''  {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}<br/>'''Carter:''' {{legend0|#5ED360|50-60%}}<br/>'''Tie:''' {{legend0|#D2B1D9|40-50%}} {{legend0|#AE8BB1|50%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Angus King]]
| before_party       = Independent politician
| after_election     = [[John Baldacci]]
| after_party        = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Maine gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002. [[Incumbent]] [[Independent politician|Independent]] [[Governor of Maine|Governor]] [[Angus King]] was term limited, and unable to seek re-election. [[U.S. Congressman]] [[John Baldacci]] won the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] primary uncontested, while former [[Maine House of Representatives|State Representative]] [[Peter Cianchette]] emerged from the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] primary victorious. Baldacci and Cianchetti squared off in the general election, along with [[Green Party (United States)|Green Party]] nominee [[Jonathan Carter (politician)|Jonathan Carter]] and [[Independent politician|independent]] [[Maine House of Representatives|State Representative]] [[John Michael (politician)|John Michael]].

Ultimately, Baldacci prevailed to win what would be his first of two terms as governor. John Baldacci's win marked the first Democratic gubernatorial victory in the state since [[1982 Maine gubernatorial election|1982]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-04-25 |title=Baldacci, John E. {{!}} Maine: An Encyclopedia |url=https://maineanencyclopedia.com/john-e-baldacci/ |access-date=2023-01-12 |language=en-US}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Maryland==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Maryland gubernatorial election
| country = Maryland
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| turnout = 61.85% {{increase}} 1.26%<ref>{{cite web |title=2002 Gubernatorial General Election - Voter Turnout |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2002/turnout/g_statewide.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=[[Maryland State Board of Elections]] |access-date=May 1, 2022}}</ref>
| previous_election = 1998 Maryland gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Maryland gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
<!--        Bob Ehrlich       -->
| image1 = [[File:Robertehrlichrep.jpg|border|x155px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Bob Ehrlich]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate1 = '''[[Michael Steele]]'''
| popular_vote1 = '''879,592'''
| percentage1 = '''51.6%'''
<!--          Kathleen Kennedy Townsend        -->
| image2 = [[File:Kathleen Kennedy Townsend giving out awards, 2001, cropped (cropped).jpg|border|x155px]]
| nominee2 = [[Kathleen Kennedy Townsend]]
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate2 = [[Charles R. Larson]]
| popular_vote2 = 813,422
| percentage2 = 47.7%
| map_image = 2002 Maryland gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 295px
| map_caption = County results<br />
'''Ehrlich:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} <br />'''Townsend:''' {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Parris Glendening]]
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Bob Ehrlich]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Maryland gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002. Democratic Governor [[Parris Glendening]] was term-limited and could not seek a third term. Republican [[Bob Ehrlich]] defeated Democrat [[Kathleen Kennedy Townsend]], making him the first Republican governor of Maryland since [[Spiro Agnew]], who served from 1967 to 1969. This was the last time [[Charles County, Maryland|Charles County]] voted Republican for any office.

This election marked the first time since the [[1934 Maryland gubernatorial election|1934 gubernatorial election]] that a Republican won Maryland without [[Baltimore|Baltimore City]] or [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x4tKAQAAMAAJ|title=Maryland Manual|year=1987|publisher=Hall of Records Commission}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Massachusetts==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
| country = Massachusetts
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| turnout = 55.29% {{increase}} 4.1 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=42|title=Our Campaigns - MA Governor Race - Nov 05, 2002|website=www.ourcampaigns.com}}</ref>
| image1 = File:Mitt Romney's official gubernatorial portrait (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = '''[[Mitt Romney]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate1 = '''[[Kerry Healey]]'''
| popular_vote1 = '''1,091,988'''
| percentage1 = '''49.8%'''
| image2 = [[File:Shannon O'Brien (3x4a).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Shannon O'Brien]]
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate2 = [[Chris Gabrieli]]
| popular_vote2 = 985,981
| percentage2 = 44.9%
| map_image = {{switcher |[[File:2002_Massachusetts_gubernatorial_election_results_map_by_county.svg|250px]] |County results |[[File:MA Governor 2002.svg|250px]] |Precinct results |default=1}}
| map_caption = '''Romney:''' {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70–80%}}<br/>'''O'Brien:''' {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}<br/>'''Tie:''' {{legend0|#d2b1d9|40–50%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Jane Swift]] (acting)
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Mitt Romney]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] acting governor [[Jane Swift]] chose not to seek a full term in office. Republican businessman [[Mitt Romney]] defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Treasurer [[Shannon O'Brien]].

This would be the last time Mitt Romney won this state, as in [[2012 United States presidential election in Massachusetts|2012]], he lost the state to [[Barack Obama]] by a large margin.
{{clear}}

==Michigan==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Michigan gubernatorial election
| country = Michigan
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| turnout = 3,177,565
| previous_election = 1998 Michigan gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Michigan gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[Image:Jennifer Granholm 5.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Jennifer Granholm]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate1 = '''[[John D. Cherry|John Cherry]]'''
| popular_vote1 = '''1,631,276'''
| percentage1 = '''51.4%'''
| image2 = [[Image:Dick Posthumus (cropped).jpeg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Dick Posthumus]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate2 = Loren Bennett
| popular_vote2 = 1,504,755
| percentage2 = 47.4%
| map_image = 2002 Michigan gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County results<br />'''Granholm''': {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} <br />'''Posthumus''': {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = [[Governor of Michigan|Governor]]
| before_election = [[John Engler]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Jennifer Granholm]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Michigan gubernatorial election''' was one of the 36 United States [[Governor#United States|gubernatorial]] elections held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor [[John Engler]], after serving three terms, was term-limited and was ineligible to run for a fourth term; his [[Lieutenant Governor of Michigan|lieutenant governor]] [[Dick Posthumus]], also a Republican, ran in his place. [[Jennifer Granholm]], then [[Attorney General of Michigan]], ran on the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] ticket. [[Douglas Campbell (Michigan politician)|Douglas Campbell]] ran on the [[Green Party (United States)|Green Party]] ticket, and Joseph M. Pilchak<ref name="Pilchak">The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/pikiel-pinchot.html</ref> ran on the [[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution Party]]<ref>The Constitution Party is still on the Michigan ballot as the United States Taxpayers' Party in Michigan.  Although the party changed its name in 1999, the Michigan Bureau of Elections does not provide any mechanism for a political party changing its name.</ref> ticket.

Granholm won with 51% of the vote, followed by Posthumus' 47%, Campbell with 1%, and Pilchak with less than 1%.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2002/pages/governor/ CNN.com Election 2002 – Governor]. [[CNN]].</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://miboecfr.nicusa.com/election/results/02GEN/02000000.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113134507/http://miboecfr.nicusa.com/election/results/02GEN/02000000.html|url-status=dead|title=2002 Official Michigan General Election Results – Governor 4 Year Term (1) Position|archivedate=January 13, 2014}}</ref>  This made Granholm the first female Michigan governor and the first Democratic governor of Michigan in 12 years.<ref>{{cite news 
 | title = The 2002 Election: Midwest – Michigan
 | work=[[The New York Times]]
 | date = 7 November 2002
 | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9500E7DA1E3EF934A35752C1A9649C8B63
 | access-date = 15 February 2009
| first1=Nichole M. | last1=Christian
| first2=John H. | last2=Cushman Jr
| first3=Sherri | last3=Day
| first4=Sam | last4=Dillon
| first5=Neil A. | last5=Lewis
| first6=Robert | last6=Pear
| first7=Terry | last7=Pristin
| first8=Philip | last8=Shenon
| first9=Jacques | last9=Steinberg
| first10=Leslie | last10=Wayne }}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Minnesota==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election
| country = Minnesota
| flag_year = 1983
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| next_election = 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| image1 = [[File:Tim Pawlenty official photo.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Tim Pawlenty]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate1 = '''[[Carol Molnau]]'''
| popular_vote1 = '''999,473'''
| percentage1 = '''44.4%'''
| image2 = [[File:Roger Moe.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Roger Moe]]
| running_mate2 = [[Julie Sabo]]
| party2 = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| popular_vote2 = 821,268
| percentage2 = 36.5%
| image3 = [[File:Congressman Timothy Penny (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee3 = [[Tim Penny]]
| running_mate3 = Martha Robertson
| party3 = Independence Party of Minnesota
| popular_vote3 = 364,534
| percentage3 = 16.2%
| map_image = {{switcher |[[File:MN Governor 2002 Counties.svg|270px]] |County results |[[File:MN Governor 2002.svg|270px]] |Precinct results |default=1}}
| map_size = 270px
| map_caption = '''Pawlenty:''' {{legend0|#FEC8CD|30–40%}} {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#A80000|>90%}}<br/>'''Moe:''' {{legend0|#BDD3FF|30–40%}} {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}<br/>'''Penny:''' {{legend0|#aae5aa|30–40%}} {{legend0|#87de87|40–50%}} {{legend0|#5fd35f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#37c837|60–70%}} {{legend0|#2ca02c|70–80%}} {{legend0|#217821|80–90%}} {{legend0|#165016|>90%}}<br/>'''Tie:''' {{legend0|#EFE7F5|20–30%}} {{legend0|#DECDE6|30–40%}} {{legend0|#d2b1d9|40–50%}} {{legend0|#ae8bb1|50%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Jesse Ventura]]
| before_party = Independence Party of Minnesota
| after_election = [[Tim Pawlenty]]
| after_party = Republican Party of Minnesota
}}

The '''2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002 for the post of [[Governor of Minnesota]]. [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] candidate [[Tim Pawlenty]] defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidate [[Roger Moe]] and [[Independence Party of Minnesota]] candidate [[Tim Penny]]. For personal reasons regarding the health of his spouse, incumbent governor [[Jesse Ventura]] chose not to seek re-election. Pawlenty comfortably won the election, which was attributed in part to Moe's uninspired campaign, with Moe being dubbed a "cautious dullard" four years later by the ''[[City Pages]]''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Britt |last=Robson|url=http://www.citypages.com/databank/27/1343/article14661.asp |title=Running Man|work=City Pages|date=August 30, 2006 |access-date=November 10, 2006|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108113629/http://citypages.com/databank/27/1343/article14661.asp |archive-date=January 8, 2007}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Nebraska==
{{see also|2002 Nebraska gubernatorial election}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Nebraska gubernatorial election
| country            = Nebraska
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = Yes
| previous_election  = 1998 Nebraska gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Nebraska gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File: Mike Johanns.jpg|x155px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Mike Johanns]]'''
| running_mate1      = '''[[Dave Heineman]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''330,349'''
| percentage1        = '''68.7%'''
| image2             = 3x4.svg
| nominee2           = Stormy Dean
| running_mate2      = Melany Chesterman
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 132,348
| percentage2        = 27.5%
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Mike Johanns]]
| before_party       = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Mike Johanns]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
| map_image          = 2002 Nebraska gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 300px
| map_caption        = County results <br />'''Johanns: '''{{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70-80%}} <br />{{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}} 
}}

The '''2002 Nebraska gubernatorial election''', held on November 5, 2002, featured [[incumbent]] Republican [[Governor of Nebraska]] [[Mike Johanns]] defeating his Democratic opponent Stormy Dean in a landslide.

This was the first [[gubernatorial]] election in [[Nebraska]] where the winning primary candidates chose their running mates after the primary election. Prior to this, both the governor and the lieutenant governor were chosen at the primary election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.governor.nebraska.gov/responsibilities/pdf/State_Executive%20Branch.pdf|work=Nebraska State Government|title=State Executive Branch|page=424|publisher=Nebraska Office of the Governor|format=PDF|access-date=9 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919201921/http://www.governor.nebraska.gov/responsibilities/pdf/State_Executive%20Branch.pdf|archive-date=19 September 2011}}</ref> This was also the first gubernatorial election in which a Republican was re-elected in more than forty years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=5416|title=The President's New Cabinet|date=January 2005|publisher=Scholastic News|access-date=9 April 2011|archive-date=9 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609103723/http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=5416|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Nevada==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Nevada gubernatorial election
| country            = Nevada
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Nevada gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Nevada gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:Kenny Guinn.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Kenny Guinn]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''344,001'''
| percentage1        = '''68.2%'''
| image2             = [[File:No image.svg|x110px]]
| nominee2           = [[Joe Neal (politician)|Joe Neal]]
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 110,935
| percentage2        = 22.0%
| map_image          = 2002 Nevada gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 230px
| map_caption        = County results<br/>
'''Guinn:''' {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}} 
| title              = [[List of governors of Nevada|Governor]]
| before_election    = [[Kenny Guinn]]
| before_party       = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Kenny Guinn]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
}}
The '''2002 Nevada gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor [[Kenny Guinn]] defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee and [[Nevada Senate|Nevada Senator]] Joe Neal in a [[landslide victory|landslide]] to win a second term.
{{clear}}

==New Hampshire==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
| country            = New Hampshire
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 2000 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 2000
| next_election      = 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2004
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:Gov Craig Benson on 9-11-04.JPG|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Craig Benson]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''259,663'''
| percentage1        = '''58.7%'''
| image2             = [[File:No image.svg|x120px]]
| nominee2           = [[Mark Fernald]]
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 169,277
| percentage2        = 38.2%
|map={{switcher
|[[file:2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|x245px]]
|County results 
|[[file:2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election results map by municipality.svg|x245px]]
|Municipality results}}
| map_caption = '''Benson:''' {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#D75D5D|60–70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#a80000|>90%}}<br/>'''Fernald:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996E2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674DE|60–70%}} {{legend0|#0d056c|>90%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Jeanne Shaheen]]
| before_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Craig Benson]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States) 
}}

The '''2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002. Three-term incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] governor [[Jeanne Shaheen]] opted to [[2002 United States Senate election in New Hampshire|unsuccessfully run for the United States Senate]] rather than seek a fourth term as governor. [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Craig Benson]], a self-funded businessman, defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Mark Fernald]], a [[New Hampshire State Senate|state senator]], in the general election after both won contested primary elections.

This was the only time a Republican was elected governor between [[1994 New Hampshire gubernatorial election|1994]] and [[2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election|2016]].
{{clear}}

==New Mexico==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 New Mexico gubernatorial election
| country            = New Mexico
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| next_election      = 2006 New Mexico gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| image1             = [[File:RichardsonAmb (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Bill Richardson]]'''
| party1             = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate1      = '''[[Diane Denish]]'''
| popular_vote1      = '''268,693'''
| percentage1        = '''55.5%'''
| image2             = [[File:NMLtGovJohnSanchez crop (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2           = [[John Sanchez]]
| party2             = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate2      = Rod Adair
| popular_vote2      = 189,074
| percentage2        = 39.0%
| image3             = [[File:No image.svg|x120px]]
| nominee3           = David Bacon
| party3             = Green Party of the United States
| running_mate3      = 
| popular_vote3      = 26,465
| percentage3        = 5.5%
| map_image          = 2002 New Mexico gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 200px
| map_caption        = County results<br />'''Richardson:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}<br />
'''Sanchez:''' {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} 
| title              = [[List of Governors of New Mexico|Governor]]
| before_election    = [[Gary Johnson]]
| before_party       = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Bill Richardson]]
| after_party        = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 New Mexico gubernatorial election''' was a race for the [[governor of New Mexico]]. The winner of the election held on November 5, 2002, served from January 1, 2003 until January 1, 2007. Incumbent Republican [[Gary Johnson]] was [[Term limits in the United States|term limited]]. Former U.S. Congressman [[Bill Richardson]] won the election. Green Party nominee David Bacon received over 5% of the total vote, including over 11% in [[Santa Fe County, New Mexico|Santa Fe County]], which was his best showing.
{{clear}}

==New York==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 New York gubernatorial election
| country            = New York
| flag_image         = Flag of New York (1909–2020).svg
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 New York gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 New York gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:George Pataki 2004 (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1         = '''[[George Pataki]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate1      = '''[[Mary Donohue]]'''
| popular_vote1      = '''2,262,255'''
| percentage1        = '''49.4%'''
| image2             = [[File:3x4.svg|x150px]]
| nominee2         = [[Carl McCall]]
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate2      = Dennis Mehiel
| popular_vote2      = 1,534,064
| percentage2        = 33.5%
| image3             =[[File:Tom Golisano (1).JPG|x150px]]
| nominee3         = [[Tom Golisano]]
| party3             = Independence Party of New York
| running_mate3 = Mary Donohue
| popular_vote3      = 654,016
| percentage3        = 14.3%
| map_image          = 2002 New York gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_caption        = County results<br />'''Pataki:''' {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}<br />'''McCall:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}<br />'''Golisano:''' {{legend0|#FFD353|30–40%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[George Pataki]]
| before_party       = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[George Pataki]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
|alliance1=[[Conservative Party of New York State|Conservative]]|alliance2=[[Working Families Party|Working Families]]}}

The '''2002 New York gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002. [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor [[George Pataki]] was re-elected to a third term, defeating [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Carl McCall]] and [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]] billionaire [[Tom Golisano]], who ran on the [[Independence Party of New York|Independence Party]] line. {{As of|2023}}, this was the last time a Republican won a statewide election in New York, and the last time [[Albany County, New York|Albany]], [[Tompkins County, New York|Tompkins]] and [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester]] counties have voted Republican in a statewide election.

On Election Day, Pataki was easily re-elected, but fell short of receiving 50% of the vote. McCall received 33% of the vote, carrying New York City (other than Staten Island) and nearly carrying Albany County. In contrast to the norm for multiple third party campaigns, Golisano did better than his previous elections, receiving 14% of the vote and carrying his home county of [[Monroe County, New York|Monroe]] in [[western New York]].
{{clear}}

==Ohio==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Ohio gubernatorial election
| country            = Ohio
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 Ohio gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Ohio gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:Robert Alphonso "Bob" Taft III portrait - DPLA - c9c8211b3a824d8a98f58a7424de143b (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Bob Taft]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''1,865,007 '''
| percentage1        = '''57.8%'''
| image2             = [[File:Tim_Hagan_in_2009.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2           = [[Tim Hagan]]
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 1,236,924
| percentage2        = 38.3%
| map_image          = 2002 Ohio gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 210px
| map_caption        = County results<br />'''Taft:''' {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}<br />'''Hagan:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Bob Taft]]
| before_party       = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Bob Taft]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Ohio gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Governor of Ohio]] [[Bob Taft]] ran for re-election to a second and final term as governor, and he was opposed by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee [[Tim Hagan]], a former [[Cuyahoga County, Ohio|Cuyahoga County]] Commissioner. The race between Taft and Hagan was not competitive, and Taft was re-elected by a substantial margin, ensuring him a second term in office.

As of {{CURRENT_YEAR}}, this was the last time that someone other than a current or former member of Congress was elected to the governorship.
{{clear}}

==Oklahoma==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election
| country = Oklahoma
| flag_image = Flag of Oklahoma (1988–2006, unofficial).svg
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Oklahoma gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Oklahoma gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[File:BradhenryDEA.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Brad Henry]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''448,143'''
| percentage1 = '''43.3%'''
| image2 = [[File:Stevelargent.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Steve Largent]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 441,277
| percentage2 = 42.6%
| image3 = [[File:Gary Richardson meeting with local Oklahoman boy (cropped) (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee3 = [[Gary Richardson (lawyer)|Gary Richardson]]
| party3 = Independent (United States)
| popular_vote3 = 146,200
| percentage3 = 14.1%
| map_image = {{switcher
|[[File:2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|300px]]|County results
|[[File:2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election by Congressional District.svg|300px]]|Congressional district results
}}
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = '''Henry''': {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} <br />'''Largent''': {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Frank Keating]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Brad Henry]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002, and was a race for [[Governor of Oklahoma]]. [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Brad Henry]] won the election with 43 percent of the vote, beating [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Steve Largent]] and conservative independent [[Gary Richardson (lawyer)|Gary Richardson]].

Henry's narrow win has been attributed to Richardson and Largent's split of the conservative vote<ref name="averill">Averill, David, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=215&articleid=20090322_215_G6_GaryRi652763 "Eyeing another campaign: Richardson had impact on 2002 governor's race"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', March 22, 2009.</ref> and the inclusion of a [[cockfighting]] ban on the ballot, an issue which brought cockfighting supporters from Southeastern Oklahoma, a traditional Democratic stronghold that strongly supported Henry, out to vote.<ref name="averill"/><ref name="ap">[https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/2002-11-06-oklahoma-gov_x.htm "Henry upsets Steve Largent in governor's race"], [[Associated Press|AP]] at ''[[USA Today]]'', November 5, 2002.</ref><ref>John M. Broder, [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/07/us/the-2002-elections-governors-bright-spots-amid-dim-ones-for-democrats.html "The 2002 Elections: Governors; Bright Spots, Amid Dim Ones, for Democrats"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 7, 2009.</ref>
{{clear}}

==Oregon==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Oregon gubernatorial election
| country = Oregon
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Oregon gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Oregon gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[File:Ted kulongoski.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Ted Kulongoski]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''618,004'''
| percentage1 = '''49.0%'''
| image2 = [[File:Kevin Mannix.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Kevin Mannix]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 581,785
| percentage2 = 46.2%
| map_image = 2002 Oregon gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 251px
| map_caption = County results
'''Kulongoski:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}<br />
'''Mannix:''' {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[John Kitzhaber]]
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Ted Kulongoski]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Oregon gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[Governor of Oregon]] [[John Kitzhaber]] was unable to seek a third consecutive term as governor, therefore creating an open seat. To replace him, former [[Oregon Supreme Court]] [[Associate Justice]] [[Ted Kulongoski]] won a crowded and competitive [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] primary, while former [[Oregon House of Representatives|State Representative]] [[Kevin Mannix]] emerged from an equally competitive [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] primary. The campaign between Kulongoski and Mannix, who were joined by [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] nominee Tom Cox, was close and went down to the wire. Ultimately, Kulongoski eked out a narrow margin of victory over Mannix, which was slightly smaller than Cox's total vote share, allowing Kulongoski to win what would be the first of two terms as governor.
{{clear}}

==Pennsylvania==

{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election
| country = Pennsylvania
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[Image:Ed Rendell ID2004 crop (cropped).JPG|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Ed Rendell]]'''
| running_mate1 = '''[[Catherine Baker Knoll]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''1,913,235'''
| percentage1 = '''53.4%'''
| nominee2 = [[D. Michael Fisher|Mike Fisher]]
| running_mate2 = [[Jane Earll]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,589,408
| percentage2 = 44.4%
| map_image = {{switcher|[[File:2002 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|250px]]|County results|[[File:PA 2002 Gov by House District.svg|250px]]|Congressional district results|[[File:PAGov2002 by precinct.svg|300px]]|Precinct results|default=1}}
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = '''Rendell''': {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#A80000|>90%}}<br/>'''Swann''': {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584CDE|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}<br/>'''Tie''': {{legend0|#ae8bb1|50%}}<br/> {{legend0|#808080|No data}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Mark Schweiker]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Ed Rendell]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| image2 = [[Image:MikeFisher (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
}}

The '''2002 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002, to elect the [[Governor of Pennsylvania|governor]] and [[Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania]]. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor [[Mark Schweiker]], who took office in 2001 when [[Tom Ridge]] resigned to become [[Homeland Security Advisor]], was eligible to run for a full term, but did not do so. [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Ed Rendell]], the former [[mayor of Philadelphia]] and [[Chairman of the Democratic National Committee]], emerged from a competitive primary to win the general election against Republican [[Pennsylvania Attorney General]] [[D. Michael Fisher|Mike Fisher]].

Rendell won the election, with commentators attributing his victory to "endless retail politicking" and a hard-working campaign.<ref name=general02 /> The political website ''[[PoliticsPA]]'' praised Rendell's campaign team of [[David L. Cohen]], [[David W. Sweet]], and [[Sandi Vito]].<ref name=general02>{{Cite web | title = The Best and Worst Campaigns'02| work = [[PoliticsPA]]| publisher = The Publius Group| date = 2002| url = http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/best+and+worst2.htm}}{{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Fisher's strategy backfired; Rendell performed well in much of Eastern Pennsylvania and he was able to win by huge margins in even many traditionally Republican suburbs.<ref name=kennedy>{{cite book|last=Kennedy|first=John J.|title=Pennsylvania Elections: Statewide Contests From 1950–2004|year=2006|publisher=University Press of America|isbn=9780761832799|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1J_9q-lIWRkC&q=1998+ridge+itkin}}</ref>

Rendell was the first official from Philadelphia to win the governorship since 1914.<ref name=kennedy/> This was the first time since 1826 that a Democrat won all four of Philadelphia's suburban counties and the first time since 1970 that a Democrat won [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]] in a gubernatorial election. 
{{clear}}

==Rhode Island==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
| country = Rhode Island
| type = Presidential
| previous_election = 1998 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| ongoing = no
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[File:Donald Carcieri (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Donald Carcieri]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''181,827'''
| percentage1 = '''54.8%'''
| running_mate1 = 
| image2 = [[File:Myrth York 2011 (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Myrth York]]
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 150,229
| percentage2 = 45.2%
| running_mate2 = 
| image3 = 
| candidate3 = 
| party3 = 
| popular_vote3 = 
| percentage3 = 
| running_mate3 = 
| map = {{switcher|[[File:2002 Rhode Island gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|230px]]
|County results
|[[File:2002 Rhode Island gubernatorial election results map by municipality.svg|230px]]
|Municipality results}}
| map_caption = '''Carcieri:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}<br />'''York:''' {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Lincoln Almond]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Donald Carcieri]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Rhode Island gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor [[Lincoln Almond]] was term-limited. Republican [[Donald Carcieri]] won the open seat, defeating [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Myrth York]]. {{As of|2022}}, this was the last time the Republican candidate won [[Providence County, Rhode Island|Providence County]].{{Original research inline|date=April 2022}}

In the Republican primary election, Carcieri defeated James Bennett, who had won the endorsement of the state Republican Party.<ref name=Fung>{{cite news |url=http://www.ripr.org/post/fung-moves-closer-capturing-republican-governor-endorsement#stream/0 |title=Fung moves closer to capturing Republican governor endorsement |publisher=Rhode Island Public Radio |date=2014-06-20 |access-date=2023-09-01 |archive-date=2016-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803203721/http://ripr.org/post/fung-moves-closer-capturing-republican-governor-endorsement#stream/0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 2002 campaign was particularly costly to York as she spent $3.8 million of her own money to finance what was to be her last bid for elected office. A key turning point in the campaign was when York criticized Carcieri for the actions of businesses he had been associated with but refused to answer Carcieri's request that she reveal what companies her personal assets were invested in.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fenton |first=Josh |title=Myrth York Leads New Anti-Cianci Group and Launches TV Ad |url=https://www.golocalprov.com/politics/myrth-york-leads-new-anti-cianci-group-and-launches-tv-ad |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=GoLocalProv |language=en}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==South Carolina==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 South Carolina gubernatorial election
| country            = South Carolina
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = no
| previous_election  = 1998 South Carolina gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 South Carolina gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:Mark Sanford, Congressional photo.jpg|x160px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Mark Sanford]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''585,422'''
| percentage1        =  '''52.9%'''
| image2             = [[Image:Portrait of Jim Hodges.jpg|x160px]]
| nominee2           = [[Jim Hodges]]
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 521,140	
| percentage2        = 47.0%
| map_image          = 2002 South Carolina gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 230px
| map_caption        = County results<br/>'''Sanford''': {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}<br/>'''Hodges''': {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Jim Hodges]]
| before_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Mark Sanford]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 South Carolina gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002 to select the [[Governor of South Carolina|governor]] of the state of [[South Carolina]]. [[Mark Sanford]], the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee, defeated incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] governor [[Jim Hodges]] to become the [[List of Governors of South Carolina|115th governor]] of South Carolina. Hodges became only the third incumbent governor and the first Democratic governor in South Carolina history to lose reelection.
{{clear}}

==South Dakota==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 South Dakota gubernatorial election
| country = South Dakota
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 South Dakota gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 South Dakota gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 2, 2002
| image1 = [[File:Mike Rounds official photo.JPG|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Mike Rounds]]'''
| running_mate1 = '''[[Dennis Daugaard]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''189,920'''
| percentage1 = '''56.8%'''
| image2 = [[File:No image.svg|x120px]]
| nominee2 = [[James W. Abbott|Jim Abbott]]
| running_mate2 = [[Mike Wilson (South Dakota politician)|Michael Wilson]]
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 140,263
| percentage2 = 41.9%
| map_image = 2002 South Dakota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = County results <br/>
'''Rounds:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50-60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60-70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70-80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80-90%}} 
'''Abbott:''' {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Bill Janklow]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Mike Rounds]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 South Dakota gubernatorial election''' took place on November 2, 2002 to elect a [[governor of South Dakota]]. [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee [[Mike Rounds]] was elected, defeating [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee [[James W. Abbott|Jim Abbott]].
{{clear}}

==Tennessee==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Tennessee gubernatorial election
| country = Tennessee
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Tennessee gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Tennessee gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[File:Governor Bredesen (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Phil Bredesen]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''837,284'''
| percentage1 = '''50.6%'''
| image2 = [[File:Van Hilleary.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Van Hilleary]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 786,803
| percentage2 = 47.6%
| map_image = 2002 Tennessee gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County results<br>'''Bredesen''': {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}<br />'''Hilleary''': {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Don Sundquist]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Phil Bredesen]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| turnout = 50.40% {{Increase}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 5, 2002 |title=Tennessee Voter Turnout in 2002 |work=Tennessee Secretary of State |url=https://sos.tn.gov/elections/statistics|access-date=February 28, 2023}}</ref>   17.87 [[percentage point|pp]]
}}

The '''2002 Tennessee gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002, to elect the next [[governor of Tennessee]]. The incumbent, [[Don Sundquist]], was term-limited and is prohibited by the [[Constitution of Tennessee]] from seeking a third consecutive term. To succeed him, former [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] Mayor [[Phil Bredesen]], the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee, who had run against Sundquist in [[1994 Tennessee gubernatorial election|1994]], narrowly defeated [[United States Congressman]] [[Van Hilleary]], the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee, in the general election.

With this win, Bredesen flipped the state back into Democratic control, with the [[Tennessee General Assembly|state legislature]] also being controlled by Democrats.
{{clear}}

==Texas==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Texas gubernatorial election
| type = Presidential
| ongoing = no
| country = Texas
| previous_election = 1998 Texas gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Texas gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = [[File:Rick Perry photo portrait, August 28, 2004.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Rick Perry]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''2,632,591'''
| percentage1 = '''57.8%'''
| image2 = [[File:No image.svg|x100px]]
| nominee2 = [[Tony Sanchez Jr.|Tony Sanchez]]
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,819,798
| percentage2 = 40.0%
| map_image = 2002 Texas gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size          = 310px
| map_caption       = County results <br/>'''Perry:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}<br/>'''Sanchez:''' {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
| title = [[Governor of Texas|Governor]]
| before_election = [[Rick Perry]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Rick Perry]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Texas gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002, to elect the [[governor of Texas]]. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] governor [[Rick Perry]], who had ascended to the governorship after the resignation of [[George W. Bush]] to become President of the United States, was elected to his first full term in office, winning 58% of the vote to [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Tony Sanchez (politician)|Tony Sanchez]]'s 40%.

Perry carried 218 out of 254 counties, while Sanchez only carried 36. Exit polls showed Perry easily won among white voters with 72% while Sanchez won the African American vote with 85% and the Latino vote with 65%. His second inauguration for a first full four-year term began on January 21, 2003, on the Texas State Capitol South Grounds.

{{As of|2022}}, this was the last time the Republican candidate carried [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County]], and the last time Republicans kept the vote margins within the single digits in [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]].
{{clear}}

==Vermont==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Vermont gubernatorial election
| country            = Vermont
| type               = presidential
| election_date      = {{Start date|2002|11|5}}
| ongoing            = no

| previous_election  = 2000 Vermont gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 2000
| next_election      = 2004 Vermont gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2004

| image1             = [[File:Jim Douglas-2009 (cropped).jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Jim Douglas]]'''
| party1             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''103,436'''
| percentage1        = '''44.9%'''

| image2             = [[File:No image.svg|x120px]]
| party2             = Democratic Party (United States)
| nominee2           = [[Doug Racine]]
| popular_vote2      = 97,565
| percentage2        = 42.4%

| image3             = [[File:No image.svg|x120px]]
| party3             = Independent (United States)
| nominee3           = Cornelius Hogan
| popular_vote3      = 22,353
| percentage3        = 9.7%

| map                = {{switcher
|[[file:2002 Vermont gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|x210px]]
|County results 
|[[file:2002 Vermont gubernatorial election results map by municipality.svg|x210px]]
|Municipality results }}
| map_caption = '''Douglas:''' {{legend0|#ffc8cd|30-40%}} {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40-50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50-60%}} {{legend0|#D75D5D|60-70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70-80%}} {{nowrap|{{legend0|#c21b18|80-90%}}}}<br/>'''Racine:''' {{legend0|#bdd3ff|30-40%}} {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40-50%}} {{legend0|#7996E2|50-60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60-70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70-80%}}

| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Howard Dean]]
| before_party       = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Jim Douglas]]
| after_party        = Republican Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Vermont gubernatorial election''' took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic Governor [[Howard Dean]] did not run for re-election to a sixth full term as [[Governor of Vermont]]. Republican [[Jim Douglas]] defeated Democratic candidate [[Doug Racine]] and independent candidate Cornelius Hogan, among others, to succeed him. Since no candidate received a majority in the popular vote, Douglas was elected by the [[Vermont General Assembly]] per the state constitution.<ref name=results>{{cite web|title=General Election Results - Governor - 1789-2012|url=https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/308153/stoff1gov.pdf|publisher=Office of the Vermont Secretary of State|access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref>

The race was very close, with Douglas prevailing by just under 6,000 votes or 2.56%. In Vermont for statewide/executive races if no candidate receives 50% then the [[Vermont General Assembly]] picks the winner. However, Racine declined to contest it further and conceded to Douglas. Ultimately it was Douglas's strong performance in [[Montpelier, Vermont|Montpelier]] and [[Rutland County, Vermont|Rutland]] that carried him to victory. Racine did do well in populous [[Burlington, Vermont|Burlington]] and greater [[Chittenden County, Vermont|Chittenden County]], but it ultimately did not suffice. Racine called Douglas at 12:38 P.M. EST and conceded defeat. Douglas would go on to be reelected three more times. Racine would run for governor one last time in 2010, but narrowly lost the Democratic Primary to [[Peter Shumlin]]. After the close contest, Shumlin chose Racine to be his Secretary of Human Services. Racine stepped down from that post in 2014.
{{clear}}

==Wisconsin==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
| country = Wisconsin
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| turnout = 45.43%
| image1 = [[File:Jim Doyle (3x4) a.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee1 = '''[[Jim Doyle]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''800,515'''
| percentage1 = '''45.1%'''
| image2 = [[File:Governor Scott McCallum 2001 (3x4) a.jpg|x150px]]
| nominee2 = [[Scott McCallum]]
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 734,779
| percentage2 = 41.4%
| image3 =
| nominee3 = [[Ed Thompson (Wisconsin politician)|Ed Thompson]]
| party3 = Libertarian Party (United States)
| popular_vote3 = 185,455
| percentage3 = 10.4%
| map_image = {{switcher |[[File:2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|250px]] |County results  |[[File:2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election by precinct.svg|230px]] |Precinct results |default=1}}
| map_caption = '''Doyle:'''  {{legend0|#bdd3ff|30–40%}} {{legend0|#A5B0FF|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}<br/>'''McCallum:'''  
{{legend0|#ffc8cd|30–40%}} {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#A80000|>90%}}<br/>'''Thompson''' {{legend0|#FFEEAA|30–40%}} {{legend0|#FFDD55|40–50%}} {{legend0|#F1C92A|50–60%}} {{legend0|#DEB02A|60–70%}}<br/>'''Tie:''' {{legend0|#D2B1D9}}<br/> '''No data:'''{{legend0|#FFFFFF}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Scott McCallum]]
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = [[Jim Doyle]]
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election'''  was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Governor of Wisconsin]] [[Scott McCallum]], who had assumed office upon the resignation of [[Tommy Thompson]], ran for his first full term in office. McCallum won his party's nomination by defeating two minor candidates, and [[Attorney General of Wisconsin]] [[Jim Doyle]] won the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] primary with a little more than a third of the vote in a highly competitive primary election. In the general election, the presence of [[Ed Thompson (Wisconsin politician)|Ed Thompson]], former governor [[Tommy Thompson]]'s younger brother, the Mayor of [[Tomah, Wisconsin|Tomah]], and the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] nominee, held both McCallum and Doyle to under fifty percent of the vote, enabling Doyle to win with 45% of the vote, defeating McCallum.
{{clear}}

==Wyoming==
{{Infobox election
| election_name      = 2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election
| country            = Wyoming
| type               = presidential
| ongoing            = Yes
| previous_election  = 1998 Wyoming gubernatorial election
| previous_year      = 1998
| next_election      = 2006 Wyoming gubernatorial election
| next_year          = 2006
| election_date      = November 5, 2002
| image1             = [[File:Dave Freudenthal speech.jpg|x160px]]
| nominee1           = '''[[Dave Freudenthal]]'''
| party1             = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1      = '''92,662'''
| percentage1        = '''50.0%'''
| image2             = [[File:Eli Bebout 20171012.jpg|x160px]]
| nominee2           = [[Eli Bebout]]
| party2             = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2      = 88,873
| percentage2        = 47.9% 
| map_image          = 2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size           = 250px
| map_caption        = County results<br />'''Freudenthal''': {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}<br />'''Bebout''': {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}}
| title              = Governor
| before_election    = [[Jim Geringer]] 
| before_party       = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election     = [[Dave Freudenthal]]
| after_party        = Democratic Party (United States)
}}

The '''2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election''' was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Governor of Wyoming|Governor]] [[Jim Geringer]] was term-limited and unable to seek a third term in office, thereby creating an open seat. Former [[United States Attorney|U.S. Attorney]] [[Dave Freudenthal]] and former [[Wyoming House of Representatives|Wyoming House]] Speaker [[Eli Bebout]] both emerged from competitive [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] primaries, respectively, and faced off against each other in the general election. Despite Wyoming's strong inclination to elect Republicans, a contentious race ensued, with Freudenthal ultimately defeating Bebout by fewer than 4,000 votes.
{{clear}}

==Territories and federal district==
===District of Columbia===
{{main|2002 Washington, D.C., mayoral election}}
{{Election box begin no change |title=Washington, D.C. election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Anthony A. Williams]] (incumbent)
  |percentage = 60.6%
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Carol Schwartz]]
  |percentage = 34.5%
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = D.C. Statehood Green Party
  |candidate  = Steve Donkin
  |percentage = 2.5%
}}{{Election box total no change
  |percentage = 100.00
}}{{Election box hold with party link no change
  |winner     = Democratic Party (US)
}}{{Election box end}}

===Guam===
{{main|2002 Guamanian general election}}
{{Election box begin no change |title=Guam election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Felix Perez Camacho]]
  |percentage = 55.4%
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Robert A. Underwood]]
  |percentage = 44.5%
}}{{Election box total no change
  |percentage = 100.00
}}{{Election box gain with party link no change
  |winner     = Republican Party (US)
 | loser      = Democratic Party (US)
 | swing      =
}}{{Election box end}}
{{clear}}

===U.S. Virgin Islands===
{{main|2002 United States Virgin Islands gubernatorial election}}
{{Election box begin no change |title=U.S. Virgin Islands election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Charles Wesley Turnbull|Charles Turnbull]] (incumbent) 
  |percentage = 50.1%
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independent (US)
  |candidate  = [[John P. de Jongh]]
  |percentage = 24.5%
}}{{Election box total no change
  |percentage = 100.00
}}{{Election box hold with party link no change
  |winner     = Democratic Party (US)
}}{{Election box end}}
{{clear}}

==See also==
*[[2002 United States elections]]
**[[2002 United States Senate elections]]
**[[2002 United States House of Representatives elections]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2002/pages/governor/index.html Election 2002 – Governor]. CNN.

{{United States gubernatorial elections}}
{{2002 United States elections}}

[[Category:2002 United States gubernatorial elections| ]]
[[Category:November 2002 events in the United States| ]]