View source for 2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{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
| image_size = x150px
| image1 = File:Tim Pawlenty official photo.jpg
| nominee1 = '''[[Tim Pawlenty]]'''
| party1 = [[Republican Party of Minnesota|Republican]]
| running_mate1 = '''[[Carol Molnau]]'''
| popular_vote1 = '''999,473'''
| percentage1 = '''44.4%'''
| image2 = File:Roger Moe.jpg
| 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
| nominee3 = [[Tim Penny]]
| running_mate3 = Martha Robertson
| party3 = Independence Party of Minnesota
| popular_vote3 = 364,534
| percentage3 = 16.2%
| map_image = {{switcher |[[File:2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|280px]] |County results |[[File:MN Governor 2002.svg|280px]] |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|#F9DFCB|30–40%}} {{legend0|#EAB58F|40–50%}} {{legend0|#DC8B53|50–60%}} {{legend0|#CB5F12|60–70%}} {{legend0|#B34F06|70–80%}} {{legend0|#944105|80–90%}} {{legend0|#723102|>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
| flag_image = 
}}
{{ElectionsMN}}
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]]. 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>

== Republican primary ==
=== Candidate ===
*[[Tim Pawlenty]], Majority Leader of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]
*Leslie Davis, former [[List of mayors of Minneapolis|Minneapolis mayoral candidate]] in 1994

=== Results ===
{{Election box begin no change
|title = 2002 Republican gubernatorial primary election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Tim Pawlenty
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 172,927
| percentage = 88.64
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Sue Jeffers
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 22,172
| percentage = 11.36
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 195,099
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}

== DFL primary ==
In May 2002, the DFL formally endorsed Moe over rival [[Judi Dutcher]], the [[Minnesota State Auditor]]. [[Becky Lourey]], a member of the [[Minnesota Senate]], was also a contender before dropping out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Howard |first=K. C. |title=DFL endorses Moe for governor's race |url=https://mndaily.com/244895/uncategorized/dfl-endorses-moe-governors-race/ |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=The Minnesota Daily}}</ref>

=== Candidate ===
*[[Roger Moe]], Majority Leader of the [[Minnesota Senate]]
*Oloveuse S. "Ole" Savior, artist and [[perennial candidate]].

=== Results ===
{{Election box begin no change
|title = 2002 Democratic–Farmer–Labor gubernatorial primary election
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Roger Moe]]
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 199,103
| percentage = 88.79
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ole Savior
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 25,135
| percentage = 11.21
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 224,238
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}

==General election==

=== Polling ===
Polls indicated a dead heat between Penny, Moe, and Pawlenty less than a month before the election. A poll by the [[Minnesota Star Tribune|Star Tribune]] had Moe and Penny tied at 27%, and Pawlenty ahead with 29%.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gilyard |first=Burl |date=2002-11-08 |title=Decimation of Independence |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2002/11/jesse-ventura-s-independence-party-collapses.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339}}</ref>

=== Debates ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election debates
|-
! scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Host
! scope="col" | Moderator
! scope="col" | Link
! scope="col" | <small>[[Republican Party (US)|Republican]]</small>
! scope="col" | <small>[[Democratic Party (US)|Democratic]]</small>
! scope="col" | <small>[[Independence-Alliance Party|Independence]]</small>
! scope="col" | <small>[[Green Party (US)|Green]]</small>
|-
! colspan="5" rowspan="2" |Key:<br />{{Colors|black|#90ff90|&nbsp;P&nbsp;}} <small>Participant&nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#FFFFDD|&nbsp;A&nbsp;}} <small>Absent&nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#ff9090|&nbsp;N&nbsp;}} <small>Not invited&nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#CCFFCC|&nbsp;I&nbsp;}} <small>Invited {{color box|#f0e68c|W}} Withdrawn</small>
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Republican Party (US)}}" |
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}" |
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Independence-Alliance Party}}" |
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Green Party (US)}}" |
|-
! scope="col" | [[Tim Pawlenty]]
! scope="col" | [[Roger Moe]]
! scope="col" | [[Tim Penny]]
! scope="col" | Ken Pentel
|-
!1
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Jul. 31, 2002
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [[Twin Cities PBS]]
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Eric Eskola<br />Cathy Wurzer
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.c-span.org/video/?171775-1/minnesota-gubernatorial-debate C-SPAN]
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
|-
!2
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Nov. 1, 2002
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [[Twin Cities PBS]]
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Eric Eskola<br />Cathy Wurzer
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.c-span.org/video/?173635-1/minnesota-gubernatorial-debate C-SPAN]
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
|}

=== Predictions ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Source
!Ranking
!As of
|-
|[[The Cook Political Report]]<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>
| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}
|October 31, 2002
|-
|[[Sabato's Crystal Ball]]<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>
| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R|Flip}}
|November 4, 2002
|}

=== Results ===
{{align|right|{{Switcher| [[File:2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election swing map by county.svg|200px]]|Swing by county<br>{{collapsible list| title = Legend|{{legend|#00a1c8|Democratic — +>15%}}|{{legend|#00bdec|Democratic — +12.5-15%}}|{{legend|#09ceff|Democratic — +10-12.5%}}|{{legend|#4bdbff|Democratic — +7.5-10%}}|{{legend|#77e3ff|Democratic — +5-7.5%}}|{{legend|#AAEEFF|Democratic — +2.5-5%}}|{{legend|#D5F6FF|Democratic — +0-2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFD5D5|Republican — +0-2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFAAAA|Republican — +2.5-5%}}|{{legend|#FF8080|Republican — +5-7.5%}}|{{legend|#FF5555|Republican — +7.5-10%}}|{{legend|#FF2A2A|Republican — +10-12.5%}}|{{legend|#FF0000|Republican — +12.5-15%}}|{{legend|#D40000|Republican — +>15%}}
}}|[[File:2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election trend map by county.svg|200px]]|Trend by county<br>{{collapsible list| title = Legend|{{legend|#00a1c8|Democratic — +>15%}}|{{legend|#00bdec|Democratic — +12.5-15%}}|{{legend|#09ceff|Democratic — +10-12.5%}}|{{legend|#4bdbff|Democratic — +7.5-10%}}|{{legend|#77e3ff|Democratic — +5-7.5%}}|{{legend|#AAEEFF|Democratic — +2.5-5%}}|{{legend|#D5F6FF|Democratic — +0-2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFD5D5|Republican — +0-2.5%}}|{{legend|#FFAAAA|Republican — +2.5-5%}}|{{legend|#FF8080|Republican — +5-7.5%}}|{{legend|#FF5555|Republican — +7.5-10%}}|{{legend|#FF2A2A|Republican — +10-12.5%}}|{{legend|#FF0000|Republican — +12.5-15%}}|{{legend|#D40000|Republican — +>15%}}}}}}}}{{Election box begin | title=2002 gubernatorial election, Minnesota<ref>{{cite web| url = http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2002&fips=27&f=0&off=5&elect=0 | title = 2002 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Minnesota | access-date = 2008-05-27 | website = Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
 |party      = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate  = [[Tim Pawlenty]]
 |votes      = 999,473
 |percentage = 44.4%
 |change     = +10.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate  = [[Roger Moe]]
 |votes      = 821,268
 |percentage = 36.5%
 |change     = +6.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Independence Party of Minnesota
 |candidate  = [[Tim Penny]]
 |votes      = 364,534
 |percentage = 16.2%
 |change     = -20.8%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Green Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Ken Pentel
 |votes      = 50,589
 |percentage = 2.3%
 |change     = +2.0%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Independent
 |candidate  = Booker Hodges IV
 |votes      = 9,698
 |percentage = 0.4%
 |change     = +0.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Socialist Workers Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Kari Sachs
 |votes      = 3,026
 |percentage = 0.1%
 |change     = +0.09%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
 |party      = Constitution Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Lawrence Aeshliman
 |votes      = 2,537
 |percentage = 0.1%
 |change     = +0.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate|
 |party      = 
 |candidate  = Lealand Vettleson<ref>{{cite web |url=http://minnesotaelectionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20021105/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0331 |title=Election Reporting |access-date=2015-04-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807075446/http://minnesotaelectionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20021105/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0331 |archive-date=2015-08-07 }}</ref>
 |votes      = 2
 |percentage = 0.0%
 |change     = +0.0%
}}
{{Election box candidate|
 |party      = 
 |candidate  = Write-ins
 |votes      = 1,348
 |percentage = 0.06%
 |change     = +0.02%
}}
{{Election box majority|
 |votes      = 178,205
 |percentage = 7.9%
 |change     = 
}}
{{Election box turnout|
 |votes      = 2,252,473
 |percentage = 70.7%
 |change     = +10.6%
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no swing|
  |winner     = Republican Party (United States)
  |loser      = Independence Party of Minnesota
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

====Counties that flipped from Reform to Republican====
*[[Benton County, Minnesota|Benton]] (Largest city: [[Sauk Rapids, Minnesota|Sauk Rapids]])
*[[Blue Earth County, Minnesota|Blue Earth]] (Largest city: [[Mankato, Minnesota|Mankato]])
*[[Chisago County, Minnesota|Chisago]] (Largest city: [[North Branch, Minnesota|North Branch]])
*[[Cottonwood County, Minnesota|Cottonwood]] (Largest city: [[Windom, Minnesota|Windom]])
*[[Dakota County, Minnesota|Dakota]] (Largest city: [[Hastings, Minnesota|Hastings]])
*[[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue]] (Largest city: [[Red Wing, Minnesota|Red Wing]])
*[[Grant County, Minnesota|Grant]] (Largest city: [[Elbow Lake, Grant County, Minnesota|Elbow Lake]])
*[[Isanti County, Minnesota|Isanti]] (Largest city: [[Cambridge, Minnesota|Cambridge]])
*[[Kanabec County, Minnesota|Kanabec]] (Largest city: [[Mora, Minnesota|Mora]])
*[[Kandiyohi County, Minnesota|Kandiyohi]] (Largest city: [[Willmar, Minnesota|Willmar]])
*[[Le Sueur County, Minnesota|Le Sueur]] (Largest city: [[Le Sueur, Minnesota|Le Sueur]])
*[[McLeod County, Minnesota|McLeod]] (Largest city: [[Hutchinson, Minnesota|Hutchinson]])
*[[Meeker County, Minnesota|Meeker]] (Largest city: [[Litchfield, Minnesota|Litchfield]])
*[[Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Mille Lacs]] (Largest city: [[Princeton, Minnesota|Princeton]])
*[[Nicollet County, Minnesota|Nicollet]] (Largest city: [[North Mankato, Minnesota|North Mankato]])
*[[Pope County, Minnesota|Pope]] (Largest city: [[Glenwood, Minnesota|Glenwood]])
*[[Renville County, Minnesota|Renville]] (Largest city: [[Olivia, Minnesota|Olivia]])
*[[Sherburne County, Minnesota|Sherburne]] (Largest city: [[Elk River, Minnesota|Elk River]])
*[[Sibley County, Minnesota|Sibley]] (Largest city: [[Gaylord, Minnesota|Gaylord]])
*[[Stearns County, Minnesota|Stearns]] (Largest city: [[St. Cloud, Minnesota|St. Cloud]])
*[[Steele County, Minnesota|Steele]] (Largest city: [[Owatonna, Minnesota|Owatonna]])
*[[Wabasha County, Minnesota|Wabasha]] (Largest city: [[Lake City, Minnesota|Lake City]])
*[[Washington County, Minnesota|Washington]] (Largest city: [[Stillwater, Minnesota|Stillwater]])
*[[Watonwan County, Minnesota|Watonwan]] (Largest city: [[St. James, Minnesota|St. James]])
*[[Wright County, Minnesota|Wright]] (Largest city: [[Otsego, Minnesota|Otsego]])
* [[Aitkin County, Minnesota|Aitkin]] (largest city: [[Aitkin, Minnesota|Aitkin]])
* [[Pine County, Minnesota|Pine]] (largest city: [[Pine City, Minnesota|Pine City]])
*[[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice]] (largest city: [[Faribault, Minnesota|Faribault]])
*[[Anoka County, Minnesota|Anoka]] (Largest city: [[Blaine, Minnesota|Blaine]])
*[[Carver County, Minnesota|Carver]] (Largest city: [[Chaska, Minnesota|Chaska]])

====Counties that flipped from Reform to Democratic====
*[[Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota|Yellow Medicine]] (Largest city: [[Granite Falls, Minnesota|Granite Falls]])
*[[Chippewa County, Minnesota|Chippewa]] (Largest city: [[Montevideo, Minnesota|Montevideo]])
*[[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin]] (Largest city: [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]])
*[[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey]] (Largest city: [[St. Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]])
*[[Swift County, Minnesota|Swift]] (largest city: [[Benson, Minnesota|Benson]])

====Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic====
*[[Beltrami County, Minnesota|Beltrami]] (Largest city: [[Bemidji, Minnesota|Bemidji]])
*[[Koochiching County, Minnesota|Koochiching]] (Largest city: [[International Falls, Minnesota|International Falls]])
*[[Clearwater County, Minnesota|Clearwater]] (Largest city: [[Bagley, Minnesota|Bagley]])

====Counties that flipped from Republican to Independence====
* [[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted]] (largest city: [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]])
*[[Fillmore County, Minnesota|Fillmore]] (largest city: [[Spring Valley, Minnesota|Spring Valley]])
*[[Freeborn County, Minnesota|Freeborn]] (largest city: [[Albert Lea, Minnesota|Albert Lea]])

====Counties that flipped from Democratic to Independence====
*[[Mower County, Minnesota|Mower]] (largest city: [[Austin, Minnesota|Austin]])

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections]]

{{Minnesota elections}}
{{United States elections, 2002}}
{{US Third Party Election}}

[[Category:2002 United States gubernatorial elections|Minnesota]]
[[Category:Minnesota gubernatorial elections|2002]]
[[Category:2002 Minnesota elections|Gubernatorial]]