2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election

See also: 2002 United States gubernatorial elections

2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election
November 5, 2002
 
Nominee Dave Freudenthal Eli Bebout
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 92,662 88,873
Percentage 49.96% 47.92%
County results
Freudenthal:      50–60%      60–70%
Bebout:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Jim Geringer
Republican

Elected Governor

Dave Freudenthal
Democratic

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The 2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Geringer was term-limited and unable to seek a third term in office, thereby creating an open seat. Former U.S. Attorney Dave Freudenthal and former Wyoming House Speaker Eli Bebout both emerged from competitive Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively, and faced off against each other in the general election. Despite Wyoming's strong inclination to elect Republicans, a contentious race ensued, with Freudenthal ultimately defeating Bebout by fewer than 4,000 votes. As of 2025, this is the last gubernatorial election in Wyoming to be decided by less than 20 percentage points.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dave Freudenthal 19,732 53.62
Democratic Paul Hickey 13,793 37.48
Democratic Toby Simpson 1,918 5.21
Democratic Ken Casner 1,356 3.68
Total votes 36,799 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eli Bebout 44,417 48.98
Republican Ray Hunkins 25,363 27.97
Republican Bill Sniffin 13,633 15.03
Republican Stephen Watt 5,724 6.31
Republican John H. Self 1,548 1.71
Total votes 90,685 100.00

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[2] Tossup October 31, 2002
Sabato's Crystal Ball[3] Lean R November 4, 2002

Results

Wyoming gubernatorial election, 2002[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Dave Freudenthal 92,662 49.96% +9.51%
Republican Eli Bebout 88,873 47.92% −7.68%
Libertarian Dave Dawson 3,924 2.12% −1.83%
Majority 3,789 2.04% −13.10%
Turnout 185,459
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

References

  1. ^ a b "Statewide Candidates' Abstract - Official Primary Election Results - August 20, 2002" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State.
  2. ^ "Governor Updated October 31, 2002 | The Cook Political Report". The Cook Political Report. October 31, 2002. Archived from the original on December 8, 2002. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  3. ^ "Governors Races". www.centerforpolitics.org. November 4, 2002. Archived from the original on December 12, 2002. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  4. ^ "Statewide Candidates' Abstract - Official General Election Results - November 5, 2002" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State.


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