United States gubernatorial elections, 2002

United States gubernatorial elections, 2002

November 5, 2002
38 governorships 36 states; 2 territories
Majority party Minority party   Leader John Rowland Parris Glendening Party Republican Democratic Last election 30 governorships 26 governorships Seats before 30 26 Seats after 29 27 Seat change 1 1
Results:   Republican holds   Republican pickups   Democratic holds   Democratic pickups

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 5, 2002 in 36 states and two territories. The Republicans won eight seats previously held by the Democrats, as well the seat previously held by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura, who was elected on the 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. 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. The elections were also notable for the inroads that both major parties made in regions where their support had historically been low or waning.

In addition to the elections held in 36 states, elections were also held in the unincorporated territories of Guam and the United States Virgin Islands. The Democrats held their seat in the United States Virgin Islands, while the Republicans won an open seat in Guam previously held by the Democrats.

The elections were held concurrently with the other United States elections of 2002.

Democratic gains

• Arizona – State Attorney General Janet Napolitano won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Jane Dee Hull
• Illinois – Representative Rod Blagojevich won an open seat held by retiring Gov. George H. Ryan, becoming the first Democratic governor since 1976.
• Kansas – State Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Bill Graves
• Maine – Representative John Baldacci won an open seat held by Independent term-limited Gov. Angus King
• Michigan – State Attorney General Jennifer Granholm won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. John Engler
• New Mexico – former U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Gary Johnson
• Oklahoma – State Sen. Brad Henry won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Frank Keating
• Pennsylvania – former Mayor of Philadelphia and DNC Chairman Ed Rendell won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Tom Ridge
• Tennessee – former Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Don Sundquist
• Wisconsin – State Attorney General Jim Doyle defeated incumbent Gov. Scott McCallum
• Wyoming – U.S. Attorney Dave Freudenthal won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Jim Geringer

Republican gains

• Alabama – Representative Bob Riley narrowly defeated incumbent Gov. Don Siegelman
• Alaska – U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Tony Knowles
• Georgia – State Senator Sonny Perdue defeated incumbent Gov. Roy Barnes and became first GOP Governor in Georgia since the 1870s.
• Guam – Territorial Legislative Majority Leader Felix Perez Camacho won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Carl T.C. Gutierrez.
• Hawaii – Linda Lingle won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Benjamin Cayetano, becoming the first Republican Governor since 1962.
• South Carolina – Representative Mark Sanford defeated incumbent Gov. Jim Hodges
• Maryland – Representative Robert Ehrlich won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Parris Glendening, becoming the first Republican Governor since Spiro Agnew in 1966.
• Minnesota – State House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty won an open seat held by retiring Independent Gov. Jesse Ventura in difficult, three-way (GOP, DFL and IMP) race
• New Hampshire – Craig Benson won an open seat held by retiring Gov. Jeanne Shaheen
• Vermont – State Treasurer Jim Douglas won an open seat held by retiring Gov. Howard Dean

Election results

A bolded state name features an article about the specific election.

References

External links

• Election 2002 – Governor. CNN.