2002 Governor's Chairs by State

The Green Papers: Midterm Election 2002

2002 Governor's Chairs
by State

36 Governor's Chairs up for election in 2002

36 Elected

14 Governor's Chairs not up for election in 2002

20 Open Governor's Chairs (voluntary retirement, seeking other political office, term limits)

16 Incumbents renominated by same party

196 Candidates seeking a Governor's Chair

This is a list of the current Governors' seats, the incumbents occupying them, and the candidacy status of said incumbents. Chairs up for election in the year 2002 are marked as such.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Governor Links



Alabama Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
Governor	Democrat	Governor Don Siegelman
Governor	Libertarian	John P. Sophocleus
Governor	Republican	Congressman Bob Riley

Alaska Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Alaska Independence	Don Wright • Lt. Governor: Daniel DeNardo.
Governor	Democrat	Fran Ulmer • Lt. Governor: Ernie Hall
Governor	Green	Diane E. Benson • Lt. Governor: Della A. Coburn
Governor	Libertarian	Billy Toien • Lt. Governor: Al A. Anders
Governor	Republican Moderate	Raymond P. Vinzant, Sr. • Lt. Governor: Dawn M. Mendias
Governor	Republican	Senator Frank H. Murkowski • Lt. Governor: Loren D. Leman Announced 22 October 2001. Incumbent Senator, term expires January 2005.

Arizona Term Limit: The Governor can not serve for more than 8 years; 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Janet Napolitano
Governor	Independent	Richard Mahoney
Governor	Libertarian	Barry Hess
Governor	Reform	(Scott Malcomson - pending) • Not listed as a candidate by the Secretary of State
Governor	Republican	Matt Salmon
Governor	Write-In	Raymond "Rayj" Caplette
Governor	Write-In	Carlton Rahmani
Governor	Write-In	L.D. "Denny" Talbow

Arkansas Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	Jimmie Lou Fisher
Governor	Republican	Governor Mike Huckabee
Governor	Write-In	Barry Emigh
Governor	Write-In	Gene Mason

California Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
Governor	American Independent	Reinhold S. "Ron" Gulke
Governor	Democrat	Governor Gray Davis
Governor	Green	Peter Miguel Camejo
Governor	Libertarian	Gary David Copeland • The Libertarian Party of California rescinded their endorsement of Gary Copeland on 14 September 2002. Reference: Resolution of the LPC Executive Committee.
Governor	Libertarian	(Art Olivier - pending) • Write-in candidate. Endorsed by the Libertarian Party of California.
Governor	Natural Law	Iris Adam
Governor	Republican	William E. "Bill" Simon, Jr.
Governor	Write-In	(Burton S.H. Ridgeway - pending)

Colorado Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	Rollie Heath
Governor	Green	Ronald Forthofer
Governor	Libertarian	Ralph Shnelvar
Governor	Republican	Governor Bill Owens

Connecticut Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	Bill Curry • Lt. Governor: George Jepsen
Governor	Republican	Governor John G. Rowland • Lt. Governor: M. Jodi Rell

Florida Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Christian	Nancy J. Grant • Lt. Governor: Sherree R. Lowe. Listed as write-in by Division of Elections.
Governor	Democrat	William H. "Bill" McBride, Jr. • Lt. Governor: Tom Rossin
Governor	No Party Affiliation	Robert P. "Bob" Kunst • Lt. Governor: Linda Miklowitz
Governor	Republican	Governor John Ellis "Jeb" Bush • Lt Governor: Frank T. Brogan
Governor	Write-In	(Bob Adkins - pending)
Governor	Write-In	Rachele Fruit • Lt. Governor: Margaret McCraw
Governor	Write-In	Terry (AKA Mickee Faust) Galloway • Lt Governor: Andrea Jones (AKA "Sister Moe")
Governor	Write-In	C.C. Reed • Lt Governor: Belkys Rodriguez
Governor	Write-In	John Wayne Smith • Lt Governor: Bobby G. Hess

Georgia Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
Governor	Democrat	Governor Roy E. Barnes
Governor	Green	Nanette "Nan" Garrett • Certified Write-In Candidate
Governor	Independent	Sam Hay • Certified Write-In Candidate
Governor	Libertarian	Garrett Michael Hayes
Governor	Republican	Sonny Perdue
Governor	Write-In	Bill Bolton • Certified Write-In Candidate
Governor	Write-In	David Byrne • Certified Write-In Candidate

Hawaii Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Mazie K. Hirono • Lieutenant Governor: Matt Matsunaga
Governor	Free Energy	Daniel H. Cunningham • Lieutenant Governor: Arthur "A. J." Powell
Governor	Libertarian	Tracy Ahn Ryan • Lieutenant Governor: Ken Vaughan
Governor	Natural Law	Kau`i "Bu La`ia" Hill • Lieutenant Governor: Tom "Pohaku" Stone
Governor	Nonpartisan	James R. "Jim" Brewer, Jr. • Lieutenant Governor: Renee Ing
Governor	Republican	Linda Lingle • Lieutenant Governor: James R. "Duke" Aiona

Idaho Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	Jerry M. Brady
Governor	Libertarian	Daniel L. J. Adams • Note: Michael Gollaher is a primary write-in candidate for Governor. Reports state that the Libertarian party is reconsidering their support for Mr. Adams. A warrant for Mr. Adams' arrest (probation violation) was issued in June 2001.
Governor	Republican	Governor Dirk Kempthorne

Illinois Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Congressman Rod R. Blagojevich • Lt. Governor: Pat Quinn
Governor	Independent	Marisellis Brown • Lt. Governor: write-in
Governor	Libertarian	Cal Skinner • Lt. Governor: James L. "Jim" Tobin
Governor	Republican	Jim Ryan • Lt. Governor: Carl Hawkinson
Governor	Write-In	(Shannon Renken - pending)

Iowa Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
Governor	Democrat	Governor Tom Vilsack • Lieutenant Governor: Sally Pederson
Governor	Green	Jay Robinson • Lieutenant Governor: Holly Jane Hart
Governor	Libertarian	Clyde Cleveland • Lieutenant Governor: Richard Campagna Endorsement: Natural Law
Governor	Republican	Doug Gross • Lieutenant Governor: Debi Durham

Kansas Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Kathleen Sebelius • Lieutenant Governor: John Moore
Governor	Libertarian	Dennis Hawver • Lieutenant Governor: Joel Heller
Governor	Reform	Ted Pettibone • Lieutenant Governor: Mike Wilson
Governor	Republican	Tim Shallenburger • Lieutenant Governor: David Lindstrom

Maine Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Independent
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Congressman John E. Baldacci • Incumbent Congressman CD 2
Governor	Green	Jonathan K. Carter
Governor	Republican	Peter E. Cianchette
Governor	unenrolled	John M. Michael
Governor	Write-In	(Philllip Morris Napier - pending)

Maryland Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Ralph Jaffe • General election write-in candidate
Governor	Democrat	James T. Lynch, Jr. • General election write-in candidate
Governor	Democrat	Kathleen Kennedy Townsend • Lt Governor: Charles R. Larson
Governor	Libertarian	Spear Lancaster • Lt. Governor: Lorenzo Gazta�aga
Governor	Republican	Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. • Lt. Governor: Michael S. Steele

Massachusetts Term Limit: None; 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Shannon O'Brien • Lt. Governor: Christopher F. Gabrieli
Governor	Green	Jill E. Stein • Lt. Governor: Anthony F. "Tony" Lorenzen
Governor	Independent	Barbara Johnson • Lt. Governor: Joe Schebel
Governor	Libertarian	Carla A. Howell • Lt. Governor: Richard P. Aucoin
Governor	Republican	Mitt Romney • Lt. Governor: Kerry M. Healey

Michigan Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Jennifer M. Granholm • Lt. Governor: state Sen. John Cherry, Jr.
Governor	Green	Douglas Campbell • Lt. Governor: Adrianna Buonarroti
Governor	Republican	Dick Posthumus • Lt. Governor: state Senator Loren Bennett
Governor	United States Taxpayers	Joseph M. Pilchak • Lt. Governor: Clara C. Pilchak

Minnesota Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Independence
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Constitution	Lawrence Michael Aeshliman • Lt. Governor: Tamara Ann Houle
Governor	Democrat	Roger D. Moe • Lt. Governor: Julie Sabo
Governor	Green	Ken Pentel • Lt. Governor: Rhoda Gilman
Governor	Independence	Timothy J. "Tim" Penny • Lt. Governor: Martha R. Robertson. Endorsement: Natural Law Party.
Governor	Independent	Booker T. Hodges, IV • Lt. Governor: Kamal B. Buchanan
Governor	Republican	Tim Pawlenty • Lt. Governor: Carol Molanu
Governor	Socialist Workers	Kari J. Sachs • Lt. Governor: Samuel F. Farley

Nebraska Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	Stormy Dean
Governor	Nebraska	Paul A. Rosberg
Governor	Republican	Governor Mike Johanns
Governor	Socialist Workers	(Lisa Rottach - pending)

Nevada Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	Joe Neal
Governor	Green	Charles Laws
Governor	Independent American	David G. Holmgren
Governor	Independent	Jerry L. Norton
Governor	Libertarian	Dick Geyer
Governor	Republican	Governor Kenny Guinn

New Hampshire Term Limit: None; 2-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Mark Fernald
Governor	Libertarian	John J. Babiarz
Governor	Republican	Craig Benson

New Mexico Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Bill Richardson • Lt. Governor: Diane D. Denish
Governor	Green	David E. Bacon • Lt. Governor: Kathleen M. Sanchez
Governor	Independent	(Russell Means - pending) • Lt. Governor: Carmen Quintana Means served a year in a South Dakota prison circa 1975 for his leadership role in the confrontation at Wounded Knee. New Mexico prohibits ex-Felons from holding public office. 21 October 2001: Russell Means has withdrawn as a Libertarian candidate and will run as an Independent. 10 June 2001: Nominated by Libertarian Convention.
Governor	Republican	John A. Sanchez • Lt. Governor: Rod Adair
Governor	Write-In	(Christina M. Vahlsing - pending)

New York Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	H. Carl McCall • Cross-endorsement: Working Families
Governor	Green	Stanley Aronowitz
Governor	Independence	Tom Golisano
Governor	Liberal	Andrew M. Cuomo • On 3 September 2002, Andrew Cuomo formally withdrew from the Democratic Primary for Governor of NEW YORK and endorsed his erstwhile opponent Carl McCall; Mr. Cuomo's name remained on the 10 September primary ballot and he received the cross-endorsement of the Liberal Party.
Governor	Libertarian	Scott Jeffrey
Governor	Marijuana Reform	Thomas K. "Tom" Leighton
Governor	Republican	Governor George E. Pataki • Cross-endorsements: Conservative
Governor	Right-to-Life	Gerard J. Cronin

Ohio Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	Timothy F. Hagan • Lieutenant Governor: Charleta B. Tavares
Governor	Natural Law	John A. Eastman • Lieutenant Governor: Sadie M. Stewart Listed as Independent by Secretary of State.
Governor	Republican	Governor Bob Taft • Lieutenant Governor: Jennette Bradley
Governor	Write-In	Eva Braiman • Lieutenant Governor: Michael Fitzsimmons
Governor	Write-In	James G. Whitman • Lieutenant Governor: Thomas K. Clark

Oklahoma Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Brad Henry • No candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the 27 August Primary. A 17 September runoff election was held between the 2 highest vote getters: Vince Orza (44%) and Brad Henry (29%). 27 August primary candidates not proceeding to the runoff: Kelly Haney (17%); Jim Dunegan (8%); James E. Lamkin (3%).
Governor	Independent	Gary L. Richardson
Governor	Republican	Steve Largent • former Congressman CD 1

Oregon Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Ted Kulongoski
Governor	Independent	(Richard Alevizos - pending)
Governor	Independent	(Gary Alan Spanovich - pending)
Governor	Libertarian	Thomas B. "Tom" Cox
Governor	Republican	Kevin L. Mannix

Pennsylvania Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Ed Rendell
Governor	Green	Michael Morrill
Governor	Libertarian	Kenneth V. Krawchuk
Governor	Republican	Mike Fisher • (Pennsylvania Attorney General)

Rhode Island Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Myrth York
Governor	Green	(Jeffrey C. Johnson - pending)
Governor	Republican	Donald L. Carcieri
Governor	Write-In	(Tonya Fuller-Balletta - pending)

South Carolina Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
Governor	Democrat	Governor Jim Hodges
Governor	Republican	Mark Sanford
Governor	Write-In	(Kevin Alexander Gray - pending) • United Citizens party candidate. Running as write-in after failing to obtain sufficient number of signatures for ballot access.
Governor	Write-In	(Tom Pickett - pending)

South Dakota Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Jim Abbott • Lieutenant Governor: Michael A. Wilson
Governor	Independent	James Carlson
Governor	Libertarian	(Nathan A. Barton - pending) • Lieutenant Governor: Eric Risty. Not listed by Secretary of State
Governor	Republican	Mike Rounds • Lieutenant Governor: Dennis M. Daugaard

Tennessee Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Phil Bredesen
Governor	Independent	David Gatchell
Governor	Independent	Gabriel A. Givens
Governor	Independent	James E. Herren
Governor	Independent	John Jay Hooker • John Jay Hooker is running as an Independent candidate for Governor, Senator, and Congressman CD 5.
Governor	Independent	Marivuana Stout Leinoff
Governor	Independent	Basil J. Marceaux, I • Basil J. Marceaux is running as an Independent candidate for Governor and Senator.
Governor	Independent	Edwin C. "Ed" Sanders, Jr.
Governor	Independent	Ronny Simmons
Governor	Independent	Francis E. Waldron
Governor	Independent	Robert O. Watson
Governor	Independent	Carl "Two Feathers" Whitaker
Governor	Independent	Charles V. Willhoit, Jr.
Governor	Libertarian	Ray Ledford • Listed by Secretary of State as an Independent
Governor	Republican	Congressman Van Hilleary

Texas Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	Tony Sanchez
Governor	Green	Rahul Mahajan
Governor	Libertarian	Jeff Daiell
Governor	Republican	Governor Rick Perry
Governor	Write-In	Elaine Eure Henderson
Governor	Write-In	Earl W. "Bill" O'Neil

Vermont Term Limit: None; 2-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Douglas A. "Doug" Racine • Received 42% of the 5 November 2002 vote. Lieutenant Governor Racine conceded to Jim Douglas on 6 November. Vermont Lieutenant Governor
Governor	Independent	Marilynn "Mom" Christian • Received 0% of the 5 November 2002 vote. On ballot as "Restore Justice-Freedom".
Governor	Independent	Cris Ericson • Received 1% of the 5 November 2002 vote. On ballot as "Make Marijuana Legal" Party
Governor	Independent	Cornelius "Con" Hogan • Received 10% of the 5 November 2002 vote.
Governor	Independent	Brian Pearl • Received 0% of the 5 November 2002 vote.
Governor	Libertarian	Joel Williams • Received 1% of the 5 November 2002 vote.
Governor	Liberty Union	Pete Diamondstone • Received 0% of the 5 November 2002 vote.
Governor	Progressive	Michael J. Badamo • Received 1% of the 5 November 2002 vote.
Governor	Republican	James H. "Jim" Douglas • Received 45% of the 5 November 2002 vote. Vermont State Treasurer
Governor	Vermont Grassroots	Patricia Hejny • Received 0% of the 5 November 2002 vote.

Wisconsin Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
Governor	Democrat	Jim Doyle
Governor	Green	James C. "Jim" Young • Wisconsin Green Party
Governor	Independent	Ty A. Bollerud
Governor	Independent	Mike Mangan • Guerrilla Attack on State Spending
Governor	Independent	Aneb Jah Rasta Sensas-Utcha Nefer • The Rasta Movement
Governor	Libertarian	Ed Thompson • Lt. Governor: Marty Reynolds (Democrat, State Legislature)
Governor	Reform	Alan D. Eisenberg • Listed as Independent by Elections Board
Governor	Republican	Governor Scott McCallum

Wyoming Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 4-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican
		Open Chair (no incumbent)
Governor	Democrat	Dave Freudenthal
Governor	Libertarian	Dave Dawson
Governor	Republican	Eli Bebout