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

	Democrat	Governor Don Siegelman • First elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 4 June 2002 Primary

Alaska Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Tony Knowles • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Arizona Term Limit: The Governor can not serve for more than 8 years; 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Jane Dee Hull • As Secretary of State, succeeded to the office upon the resignation of Governor Fife Symington (Republican): 5 September 1997; first elected to a full term: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Arkansas Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Mike Huckabee • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • As Lieutenant Governor, succeeded to the office upon the resignation of Governor Jim Guy Tucker (Democrat): 15 July 1996; first elected to a full term: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 21 May 2002 Primary

California Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Gray Davis • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 5 March 2002 Primary

Colorado Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Bill Owens • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 13 August 2002 - Primary

Connecticut Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor John G. Rowland • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected 1994; re-elected: 1998, 2002 [also served in U.S. House- elected: 1984, 1986, 1988] • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - July 2002 Convention

Delaware Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Ruth Ann Minner • First elected: 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit.

Florida Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor John Ellis "Jeb" Bush • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 10 September 2002 Primary

Georgia Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Roy E. Barnes • First elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 20 August 2002 - Primary

Hawaii Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Ben Cayetano • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Idaho Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Dirk Kempthorne • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 [also served in U.S. Senate- elected: 1992] • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - Tuesday 28 May 2002 Primary

Illinois Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor George H. Ryan • First elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Open Chair - Voluntary Retirement
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Indiana Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Frank O'Bannon • First elected: 1996; re-elected: 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor.

Iowa Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Tom Vilsack • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 4 June 2002 Primary

Kansas Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Bill Graves • First elected: 1994; re-relected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Kentucky Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Paul Patton • First elected: 1995; re-elected; 1999 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2003 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor.

Louisiana Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor M.J. "Mike" Foster • First elected: 1995; re-elected: 1999 • Chair up for election: Saturday 18 October 2003 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor.

Maine Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Independent

	Independent	Governor Angus S. King • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Maryland Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Parris N. Glendening • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Massachusetts Term Limit: None; 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Jane Swift • As Lieutenant Governor, suceeded to the office upon the resignation of Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci (Republican): 10 April 2001 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Open Chair - Voluntary Retirement
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Michigan Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor John Engler • First elected: 1990; re-elected: 1994, 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Minnesota Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Independence

	Independence	Governor Jesse Ventura • First elected: 1998 (under the banner of the Reform Party: left the Party February 2000) • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Open Chair - Voluntary Retirement
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Mississippi Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Ronnie Musgrove • First elected: 1999 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 4 November 2003 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit.

Missouri Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Bob Holden • First elected: 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit.

Montana Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 4-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Judy Martz • First elected: 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit.

Nebraska Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Mike Johanns • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 14 May 2002 Primary

Nevada Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Kenny Guinn • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 3 September 2002 Primary

New Hampshire Term Limit: None; 2-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Jeanne Shaheen • First elected: 1996; re-elected: 1998, 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Open Chair - Nominee for U.S. Senate
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

New Jersey Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor James E. ["Jim"] McGreevey • First elected: 2001 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2005 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit.

New Mexico Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Gary E. Johnson • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

New York Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor George E. Pataki • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998, 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 10 September 2002 Primary

North Carolina Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Mike Easley • First elected: 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit.

North Dakota Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor John Hoeven • First elected: 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit.

Ohio Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Bob Taft • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • First elected: 1998; re-elected: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 7 May 2002 Primary

Oklahoma Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Frank Keating • First elected: 1994; re-elected 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Oregon Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 3-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor John Kitzhaber • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Pennsylvania Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Mark Schweiker • Assumed office: 5 October 2001 upon the resignation of Tom Ridge. • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Open Chair - Voluntary Retirement
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Rhode Island Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Lincoln C. Almond • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

South Carolina Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Jim Hodges • First elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 11 June 2002 Primary

South Dakota Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor William J. Janklow • First elected to these terms: 1994; re-elected: 1998 [had previously been elected Governor in 1978 and re-elected in 1982] • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair - NOTE:Nominee for U.S. House (At-Large seat)
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Tennessee Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Don Sundquist • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Texas Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Rick Perry • Re-elected 5 November 2002 • Lt. Gov. Rick Perry became Governor 21 December 2000 when George W. Bush resigned to take the office of President of the United States. First elected to a full term: 2002 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 12 March 2002 Primary

Utah Term Limit: 3 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Michael O. Leavitt • First elected: 1992; re-elected: 1996, 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Governor Leavitt is eligible to run for re-election in 2004 since he was an incumbent when Utah's term limits were adopted. [Utah Code Section 20A-10-201 (4) For purposes of calculating the term limits established by this section, no person may count the time a state officer, state representative, or state senator served in a particular office before January 1, 1995.]

Vermont Term Limit: None; 2-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Howard Dean • As Lieutenant Governor, succeeded to the office upon the death of Governor Richard A. Snelling (Republican): 14 August 1991; first elected to a full term: 1992; re-elected: 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Open Chair - Voluntary Retirement
		Open Chair (no incumbent)

Virginia Term Limit: 1 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Mark Warner • First elected: 2001 (succeeding Republican James S. Gilmore) • Chair up for election: Tuesday 8 November 2005 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor.

Washington Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Gary Locke • First elected: 1996, 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit.

West Virginia Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms
Partisan Composition: 1 Democrat

	Democrat	Governor Robert E. Wise, Jr. • First elected: 2000 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2004 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit.

Wisconsin Term Limit: None; 4-year term
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Scott McCallum • Entered office: 2001. Lieutenant Governor Scott McCallum assumed the Governor's Chair upon the resignation of Governor Tommy G. Thompson. (Governor Thompson became Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Bush Administration.) • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is NOT affected by this state's term limit. • Renominated - 10 September 2002 - Primary

Wyoming Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in any 4-term period
Partisan Composition: 1 Republican

	Republican	Governor Jim Geringer • First elected: 1994; re-elected: 1998 • Chair up for election: Tuesday 5 November 2002 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and CANNOT run in the next election for Governor. • Open Chair
		Open Chair (no incumbent)