Gubernatorial elections
United States elections · 2002 · held
State gubernatorial races held in this midterm year. Each governor is elected separately; there is no combined national percentage.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Alabama — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write-in | 2451 | 0.18% | — | |
| Bob Riley | Republican | 672225 | 49.17% | Elected |
| John Sophocleus | Libertarian | 23272 | 1.70% | — |
| Don Siegelman | Democratic | 669105 | 48.95% | — |
Sources & further reading
Alaska — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write-in | 263 | 0.11% | — | |
| Raymond Vinzant Sr. | OTH | 1506 | 0.65% | — |
| Frank Murkowski | Republican | 129279 | 55.85% | Elected |
| Fran Ulmer | Democratic | 94216 | 40.70% | — |
| Diane Benson | Green | 2926 | 1.26% | — |
| Don Wright | AKI | 2185 | 0.94% | — |
| Billy Toien | Libertarian | 1109 | 0.48% | — |
Sources & further reading
Arizona — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L.D. Talbow | W | 1 | 0.00% | — |
| Janet Napolitano | Democratic | 566284 | 46.19% | Elected |
| Richard Mahoney | Independent | 84947 | 6.93% | — |
| Barry Hess | Libertarian | 20356 | 1.66% | — |
| Matt Salmon | Republican | 554465 | 45.22% | — |
| Nadia Axford | W | 5 | 0.00% | — |
| 'Ray J' Raymond Caplette | W | 5 | 0.00% | — |
| Carlton Rahmani | W | 29 | 0.00% | — |
| Tracey Sturgess | W | 15 | 0.00% | — |
| D'Herrera Tapia | W | 4 | 0.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmie Lou Fisher | Democratic | 378250 | 46.95% | — |
| Mike Huckabee | Republican | 427082 | 53.01% | Elected |
| Vernon E. Mason | W | 160 | 0.02% | — |
| Oscar Stilley | W | 35 | 0.00% | — |
| Barry Lee Emigh | W | 154 | 0.02% | — |
| Elvis M. Nash | W | 15 | 0.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
California — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iris Adam | NLP | 88415 | 1.18% | — |
| Bill Simon | Republican | 3169801 | 42.40% | — |
| Anselmo A. Chavez | W | 37 | 0.00% | — |
| Will B. King | W | 13 | 0.00% | — |
| James F. Stewart | W | 327 | 0.00% | — |
| Nick Jesson | W | 46 | 0.00% | — |
| Rob Marinko | W | 1789 | 0.02% | — |
| Debbie Jo Terzoli | W | 30 | 0.00% | — |
| F. Nan Bailey | W | 28 | 0.00% | — |
| Jim Mallon | W | 55 | 0.00% | — |
| Gray Davis | Democratic | 3533490 | 47.26% | Elected |
| Peter Camejo | Green | 393036 | 5.26% | — |
| Gary Copeland | Libertarian | 161203 | 2.16% | — |
| Reinhold Gulke | AIP | 128035 | 1.71% | — |
| Nick Hoogoian | W | 6 | 0.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William F. Owens | Republican | 884583 | 62.62% | Elected |
| Ralph Shnelvar | Libertarian | 20547 | 1.45% | — |
| Ronald Forthofer | Green | 32099 | 2.27% | — |
| Rollie Heath | Democratic | 475373 | 33.65% | — |
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write-in | 56 | 0.01% | — | |
| John Rowland | Republican | 573958 | 56.11% | Elected |
| Bill Curry | Democratic | 448984 | 43.89% | — |
Sources & further reading
Florida — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill McBride | Democratic | 2201427 | 43.16% | — |
| Robert Kunst | NPA | 42039 | 0.82% | — |
| Jeb Bush | Republican | 2856845 | 56.01% | Elected |
| Rachele Fruit | W | 24 | 0.00% | — |
| Terry Galloway | W | 23 | 0.00% | — |
| Nancy J. Grant | W | 44 | 0.00% | — |
| C. C. Reed | W | 7 | 0.00% | — |
| John Wayne Smith | W | 172 | 0.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonny Perdue | Republican | 1041677 | 51.42% | Elected |
| Garrett Hayes | Libertarian | 47122 | 2.33% | — |
| Roy Barnes | Democratic | 937062 | 46.25% | — |
Sources & further reading
Hawaii — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Ryan | Libertarian | 1364 | 0.36% | — |
| Linda Lingle | Republican | 197009 | 51.56% | Elected |
| Daniel Cunningham | OTH | 382 | 0.10% | — |
| Jim Brewer | NPA | 1147 | 0.30% | — |
| Kau`i Hill | NLP | 2561 | 0.67% | — |
| Mazie K. Hirono | Democratic | 179647 | 47.01% | — |
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. Dirk Kempthorne | Republican | 231566 | 56.28% | Elected |
| Daniel Adams | Libertarian | 8187 | 1.99% | — |
| Jerry Brady | Democratic | 171711 | 41.73% | — |
| Kevin Powers | W | 13 | 0.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marisellis Brown | Independent | 23089 | 0.65% | — |
| Peter Dale Kauss | W | 8 | 0.00% | — |
| Jim Ryan | Republican | 1594960 | 45.07% | — |
| Cal Skinner | Libertarian | 73794 | 2.09% | — |
| Rod Blagojevich | Democratic | 1847040 | 52.19% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Gross | Republican | 456612 | 44.51% | — |
| Clyde Cleveland | Libertarian | 13098 | 1.28% | — |
| Write-in | 1015 | 0.10% | — | |
| Jay Robinson | Green | 14628 | 1.43% | — |
| Tom Vilsack | Democratic | 540449 | 52.69% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Shallenburger | Republican | 376830 | 45.09% | — |
| Ted Pettibone | REF | 8907 | 1.07% | — |
| Dennis Hawver | Libertarian | 8097 | 0.97% | — |
| Kathleen Sebelius | Democratic | 441858 | 52.87% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Maine — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Baldacci | Democratic | 238179 | 47.15% | Elected |
| Peter Cianchette | Republican | 209496 | 41.47% | — |
| John Michael | Independent | 10612 | 2.10% | — |
| Johnathan Carter | Green | 46903 | 9.28% | — |
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Townsend | Democratic | 813422 | 47.68% | — |
| Spear Lancaster | Libertarian | 11546 | 0.68% | — |
| Robert Ehrlich Jr. | Republican | 879592 | 51.55% | Elected |
| Ralph W. Jaffe | W | 201 | 0.01% | — |
| James T. Lynch | W | 61 | 0.00% | — |
| Other | 1357 | 0.08% | — |
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | 1301 | 0.06% | — | |
| Barbara Johnson | UN | 15335 | 0.70% | — |
| Carla A. Howell | Libertarian | 23044 | 1.05% | — |
| Jill Stein | GR | 76530 | 3.49% | — |
| Shannon O'Brien | Democratic | 985981 | 44.94% | — |
| Mitt Romney | Republican | 1091988 | 49.77% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark A. McFarlin | W | 6 | 0.00% | — |
| Don Mackle | W | 7 | 0.00% | — |
| Angelo Scott Brown | W | 5 | 0.00% | — |
| Joseph Pilchak | UST | 12411 | 0.39% | — |
| Dick Posthumus | Republican | 1506104 | 47.40% | — |
| Douglas Campbell | Green | 25236 | 0.79% | — |
| Jennifer Granholm | Democratic | 1633796 | 51.42% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Michael Aeshliman | Constitution | 2537 | 0.11% | — |
| Roger Moe | Democratic | 821268 | 36.46% | — |
| Timothy Penny | IDP | 364534 | 16.18% | — |
| Booker Hodges IV | Independent | 9698 | 0.43% | — |
| Tim Pawlenty | Republican | 999473 | 44.37% | Elected |
| Kari J. Sachs | SWP | 3026 | 0.13% | — |
| Bill Dahn | W | 2 | 0.00% | — |
| Ken Pentel | Green | 50589 | 2.25% | — |
| Lealand Vettleson | W | 2 | 0.00% | — |
| Richard A. Klatte | W | 4 | 0.00% | — |
| Other | 1340 | 0.06% | — |
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Rosberg | NEB | 18294 | 3.80% | — |
| Stormy Dean | Democratic | 132348 | 27.52% | — |
| Mike Johanns | Republican | 330349 | 68.68% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Neal | Democratic | 110935 | 22.01% | — |
| A. Charles Laws | Green | 4775 | 0.95% | — |
| David Holmgren | IAP | 7047 | 1.40% | — |
| Jerry Norton | Independent | 5543 | 1.10% | — |
| Richard Geyer | Libertarian | 8104 | 1.61% | — |
| Kenny Guinn | Republican | 344001 | 68.24% | Elected |
| None of these candidates | 23674 | 4.70% | — |
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Fernald | Democratic | 169277 | 38.21% | — |
| John J. Babiarz | Libertarian | 13028 | 2.94% | — |
| Craig Benson | Republican | 259663 | 58.62% | Elected |
| Scattering | 1008 | 0.23% | — |
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Bacon | Green | 26466 | 5.47% | — |
| John Sanchez | Republican | 189074 | 39.05% | — |
| Bill Richardson | Democratic | 268693 | 55.49% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
New York — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Leighton | MRP | 21977 | 0.47% | — |
| H. Carl McCall | Democratic | 1534064 | 32.70% | — |
| George Pataki | Republican | 2262255 | 48.23% | Elected |
| Thomas Golisano | IDP | 654016 | 13.94% | — |
| Andrew Cuomo | LBL | 15761 | 0.34% | — |
| Scott Jeffrey | Libertarian | 5013 | 0.11% | — |
| Gerard Cronin | RTL | 44195 | 0.94% | — |
| Stanley Aronowitz | Green | 41797 | 0.89% | — |
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James G. Whitman | W | 291 | 0.01% | — |
| Eva Braiman | W | 84 | 0.00% | — |
| Bob Taft | Republican | 1865007 | 57.76% | Elected |
| John Eastman | Independent | 126686 | 3.92% | — |
| Timothy Hagan | Democratic | 1236924 | 38.31% | — |
Sources & further reading
Oklahoma — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Largent | Republican | 441277 | 42.61% | — |
| Gary Richardson | Independent | 146200 | 14.12% | — |
| Brad Henry | Democratic | 448143 | 43.27% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Kulongoski | Democratic | 618004 | 49.03% | Elected |
| Tom Cox | Libertarian | 57760 | 4.58% | — |
| Kevin Mannix | Republican | 581785 | 46.16% | — |
| Other | 2948 | 0.23% | — |
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Fisher | Republican | 1589408 | 44.37% | — |
| Ken Krawchuk | Libertarian | 40923 | 1.14% | — |
| Michael Morrill | Green | 38423 | 1.07% | — |
| Ed Rendell | Democratic | 1913235 | 53.41% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donald Carcieri | Republican | 181827 | 54.76% | Elected |
| Myrth York | Democratic | 150229 | 45.24% | — |
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write-in | 1163 | 0.10% | — | |
| Mark Sanford | Republican | 585422 | 52.85% | Elected |
| James H. Hodges | Democratic | 521140 | 47.05% | — |
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Michael Rounds | Republican | 189920 | 56.77% | Elected |
| Nathan Barton | Libertarian | 1983 | 0.59% | — |
| James Carlson | Independent | 2393 | 0.72% | — |
| Jim Abbott | Democratic | 140263 | 41.92% | — |
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James E. Herren | Independent | 1210 | 0.07% | — |
| Gabriel A. Givens | Independent | 1591 | 0.10% | — |
| David Gatchell | Independent | 2991 | 0.18% | — |
| Phil Bredesen | Democratic | 837284 | 50.65% | Elected |
| Ray Ledford | Independent | 1589 | 0.10% | — |
| Charles V. Wilhoit | Independent | 898 | 0.05% | — |
| Carl Whitaker | Independent | 5308 | 0.32% | — |
| Robert O. Watson | Independent | 579 | 0.04% | — |
| Francis E. Waldron | Independent | 635 | 0.04% | — |
| Ronny Simmons | Independent | 630 | 0.04% | — |
| Van Hilleary | Republican | 786803 | 47.59% | — |
| Basil Marceaux | Independent | 302 | 0.02% | — |
| Write-in | 376 | 0.02% | — | |
| Edwin Sanders | Independent | 7749 | 0.47% | — |
| Marivuana Stout Leinoff | Independent | 645 | 0.04% | — |
| John Hooker | Independent | 4577 | 0.28% | — |
Sources & further reading
Texas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Daiell | Libertarian | 66720 | 1.47% | — |
| Earl W. O'Neil | W | 976 | 0.02% | — |
| Elaine Eure Henderson | W | 1715 | 0.04% | — |
| Rick Perry | Republican | 2632591 | 57.81% | Elected |
| Tony Sanchez | Democratic | 1819798 | 39.96% | — |
| Rahul Mahajan | Green | 32187 | 0.71% | — |
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Pearl | Independent | 569 | 0.25% | — |
| Write-in | 149 | 0.06% | — | |
| Jim Douglas | Republican | 103436 | 44.94% | Elected |
| Pete Diamondstone | PRO | 625 | 0.27% | — |
| Michael Badamo | PRO | 1380 | 0.60% | — |
| Cris Ericson | OTH | 1737 | 0.75% | — |
| Cornelius Hogan | Independent | 22353 | 9.71% | — |
| Patricia Hejny | GRT | 771 | 0.33% | — |
| Doug Racine | Democratic | 97565 | 42.39% | — |
| Marilynn Christian | OTH | 638 | 0.28% | — |
| Joel Williams | Libertarian | 938 | 0.41% | — |
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scattering | 2366 | 0.13% | — | |
| Scott McCallum | Republican | 734779 | 41.39% | — |
| Ed Thompson | Libertarian | 185455 | 10.45% | — |
| Aneb Jah Rasta Sensas-Utcha Nefer-I | Independent | 929 | 0.05% | — |
| Mike Mangan | Independent | 1710 | 0.10% | — |
| Ty A. Bollerud | Independent | 2637 | 0.15% | — |
| Alan D. Eisenberg | Independent | 2847 | 0.16% | — |
| James Young | Green | 44111 | 2.48% | — |
| Jim Doyle | Democratic | 800515 | 45.09% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eli D. Bebout | Republican | 88873 | 47.92% | — |
| Dave Dawson | Libertarian | 3924 | 2.12% | — |
| Dave Freudenthal | Democratic | 92662 | 49.96% | Elected |
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Separate state governor races
This entry covers governor elections held in the midterm year, including available special contests, not off-year elections or every sitting governor. Candidate-specific ideology is used where sourced; election-era party ideology is the fallback. Historical indirect selections and unavailable counts are identified separately. Source summaries may omit minor candidates; blank values do not mean zero votes.