2002 Oregon gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 2002 Oregon gubernatorial election Oregon presidential no 1998 Oregon gubernatorial election 1998 2006 Oregon gubernatorial election 2006 November 5, 2002 File:Ted kulongoski.jpg 150x150px Ted Kulongoski Democratic Party (United States) 618,004 49.03% File:Kevin Mannix.jpg Kevin Mannix Republican Party (United States) 581,785 46.16% 2002 Oregon gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 260px County resultsKulongoski: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70%Mannix: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% Governor John Kitzhaber Democratic Party (United States) Ted Kulongoski Democratic Party (United States) The 2002 Oregon gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democrat John Kitzhaber was barred by term limits from seeking a third consecutive term; he later successfully ran again in 2010 and 2014. To replace him, former Oregon Supreme Court Associate Justice Ted Kulongoski won a crowded and competitive Democratic primary, while former State Representative Kevin Mannix emerged from an equally competitive Republican primary. The campaign between Kulongoski and Mannix, who were joined by Libertarian nominee Tom Cox, was close and went down to the wire. Ultimately, Kulongoski eked out a narrow margin of victory over Mannix, which was slightly smaller than Cox's total vote share, allowing Kulongoski to win what would be the first of two terms as governor. As of 2024, this is the last time that Oregon voted for a gubernatorial nominee and a U.S. Senate nominee of different political parties. Democratic primary Candidates William Peter Allen, engineering consultantVoters' Pamphlet Vote By Mail Primary Election May 21, 2002 2002 Oregon Secretary of State https://digitalcollections.library.oregon.gov/nodes/view/24596 12 April 2026 Caleb Burns, clinical psychologist Jim Hill, former Oregon State Treasurer Ted Kulongoski, former Oregon Supreme Court Associate Justice, former Attorney General of Oregon, nominee for U.S. Senate in 1980, and nominee for governor in 1982 Bev Stein, chair of the Multnomah County Commission Campaign Kulongoski obtained the endorsement of labor unions and the backing of governor Kitzhaber. A poll before the election showed Kulongoski at 40%, ahead of former State Treasurer Jim Hill at 23%, and Bev Stein at 19%. https://www.foxnews.com/story/gop-dems-see-chance-at-oregon-governors-spot GOP, Dems See Chance at Oregon Governor's Spot 2008-05-20 2002-05-18 Fox News Channel Lesser known candidates standing in the Democratic primary included William Allen, campaigning on the belief that Oregon paid too much money to the federal government and should consider seceding, and Caleb Burns standing to reform Oregon's schools. http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2002/05/09/UndefinedSection/Five-other.Candidates.Are.Running-1977168.shtml Five 'other' candidates are running 2008-05-20 2002-05-09 Oregon Daily Emerald https://web.archive.org/web/20080527210802/http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2002/05/09/UndefinedSection/Five-other.Candidates.Are.Running-1977168.shtml 2008-05-27 dead Results thumb|Results by county: Ted Kulongoski #7777ffff 50–55%#9999ffff 45–50%#afb0ffff 40–45%#cdcdffff 35–40% Democratic Primary resultsOfficial Abstract of Votes Primary Election May 21, 2002 2002 Oregon Secretary of State 11-12 https://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6873551 12 April 2026 Ted Kulongoski Democratic Party (United States) 170,799 48.21% Jim Hill Democratic Party (United States) 92,294 26.05% Bev Stein Democratic Party (United States) 76,517 21.60% William Peter Allen Democratic Party (United States) 6,582 1.86% Caleb Burns Democratic Party (United States) 4,167 1.18% Scattering Democratic Party (United States) 3,925 1.11% 354,284 100.00% Republican primary Candidates W. Ames Curtright, retired teacher and businessman Kevin Mannix, former Oregon State Representative, 2000 Republican nominee for Attorney General of Oregon Jack Roberts, Oregon Commissioner of Labor and Industries Ron Saxton, former Chair of the Portland Public Schools Board Lee R. Shindler Robert Weidner, 1998 Constitution Party nominee for Governor of Oregon Results thumb|Results by county: Kevin Mannix #f48d91ff 45–50%#f8b3b6ff 40–45%#ffcdcdff 35–40%#ffe1e1ff 30–35% Jack Roberts #ffde71ff 40–45%#ffe48aff 35–40%#fff29bff 30–35% Ron Saxton #78e478ff 40–45%#98f998ff 35–40%#b2ffb2ff 30–35% Republican primary results Kevin Mannix Republican Party (United States) 117,194 35.24% Jack Roberts Republican Party (United States) 98,008 29.47% Ron Saxton Republican Party (United States) 93,484 28.11% W. Ames Curtright Republican Party (United States) 10,986 3.30% Roger Weidner Republican Party (United States) 7,395 2.22% Lee R. Shindler Republican Party (United States) 2,266 0.68% Scattering Republican Party (United States) 3,242 0.97% 332,575 100.00% General election Campaign Kulongoski focused on education, his support for gay rights and the Oregon Death with Dignity law. Mannix campaigned on his plans to cut taxes to stimulate the economy of Oregon and encouraging partnerships between businesses and colleges. Tom Cox for the Libertarian party and two write in candidates, Richard Alevizos and Gary Spanovich, also stood in the election. http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2002/09/23/News/Governor.Race.Heats.Up-1978032.shtml Governor race heats up 2008-05-20 2002-09-23 Oregon Daily Emerald August 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes The departure of Kitzhaber, who had opposed plans to build a Columbia Gorge casino, was considered an opportunity for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.Silence of Oregon's Governor Elect Adds Fuel to Fight over Casino Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News November 21, 2002 Jim Lynch The Oregonian http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94942606.html https://web.archive.org/web/20121020092505/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94942606.html HighBeam Research subscription usurped October 20, 2012 Tribes invested record amounts of money into Oregon politics in this race, including $40,000 supporting Kulongoski.Native American Tribes Invest Record Cash in Oregon Politics Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News January 15, 2003 Jim Lynch The Oregonian http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-96481968.html https://web.archive.org/web/20121020074933/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-96481968.html HighBeam Research subscription usurped October 20, 2012 Kulongoski did not take a position on the issue during the campaign, but later became a supporter of the plan. Kulongoski campaigned using a motor home and his many visits to bowling alleys became a trademark of his campaign. https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2002-11-11--kulongoski-usat_x.htm Blue-collar campaign allows lawyer to bowl over challenger 2008-05-20 2002-11-11 USA Today Richard Benedetto Richard Benedetto Early in the campaign Kulongoski held a large lead over Mannix in the polls but the gap narrowed as the election neared after Mannix put Kulongoski on the defensive. Mannix characterised Kulongoski as a strong tax and spender after he endorsed a proposed $313 million income tax rise to avoid cuts in education and other areas. https://www.foxnews.com/story/seeming-shoo-in-finds-himself-fighting Seeming Shoo-In Finds Himself Fighting 2008-05-20 2002-10-23 Fox News Channel He also attacked Kulongoski for being soft on crime. A poll in October showed Kulongoski at 45%, only 4 percent ahead of Mannix at 41%. Mannix conceded the election on November 6, 2002 after Kulongoski secured a decisive lead in the vote count. Libertarian candidate Tom Cox claimed that he was responsible for Kulongoski's victory, as his exit polls suggested he took twice as many Republican votes as Democratic votes. http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2002/11/07/UndefinedSection/Mannix.Concedes.In.Race.For.Governor-1978729.shtml Mannix concedes in race for governor 2008-05-21 2002-11-07 Oregon Daily Emerald https://web.archive.org/web/20070709023853/http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2002/11/07/UndefinedSection/Mannix.Concedes.In.Race.For.Governor-1978729.shtml 2007-07-09 dead Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political Reporthttp://www.cookpolitical.com:80/display.cfm?section=political&edit_id=225 https://web.archive.org/web/20021208065752/http://www.cookpolitical.com/display.cfm?section=political&edit_id=225 December 8, 2002 Governor Updated October 31, 2002 The Cook Political Report The Cook Political Report en October 31, 2002 September 18, 2018 dead mdy-all Lean DOctober 31, 2002Sabato's Crystal Ballhttp://www.centerforpolitics.org:80/crystalball/governor_all.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20021212142349/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/governor_all.htm December 12, 2002 Governors Races www.centerforpolitics.org en-US November 4, 2002 September 18, 2018 dead mdy-all Lean DNovember 4, 2002 Results 2002 Oregon gubernatorial electionNovember 5, 2002 General Election Abstract of Votes https://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6873550 Oregon Secretary of State 12 April 2026 Democratic Party (United States) Ted Kulongoski 618,004 49.03% -15.39% Republican Party (United States) Kevin Mannix 581,785 46.16% +16.15% Libertarian Party (United States) Tom Cox 57,760 4.58% +2.77% Write-in Scattering 2,948 0.23% 1,260,497 100.00% 36,219 2.87% -31.54% Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) -31.54% Results by county As of 2026, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Washington County has backed a Republican. County Ted KulongoskiDemocratic Kevin MannixRepublican Tom CoxLibertarian ScatteringWrite-in Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % # %Baker2,33532.39%4,52262.73%3414.73%110.15%-2,187-30.34%7,209Benton18,22656.58%12,76939.64%1,1383.53%810.25%5,45716.94%32,214Clackamas60,84045.93%66,11449.91%5,4394.11%680.05%-5,274-3.98%132,461Clatsop7,34753.55%5,60640.86%6995.09%680.50%1,74112.69%13,720Columbia8,46547.41%8,00044.81%1,2987.27%920.52%4652.60%17,855Coos10,96844.05%12,46350.05%1,3955.60%730.29%-1,495-6.00%24,899Crook2,45434.42%4,17558.56%4746.65%270.38%-1,721-24.14%7,130Curry3,81640.29%5,15454.41%4795.06%230.24%-1,338-14.13%9,472Deschutes21,54443.60%25,18950.98%2,5465.15%1290.26%-3,645-7.38%49,408Douglas12,95334.00%22,93460.20%2,1015.52%1060.28%-9,981-26.20%38,094Gilliam41041.37%55255.70%292.93%00.00%-142-14.33%991Grant70420.46%2,61576.00%1153.34%70.20%-1,911-55.54%3,441Harney77726.14%1,97066.29%2147.20%110.37%-1,193-40.14%2,972Hood River3,65852.53%3,01643.31%2763.96%130.19%6429.22%6,963Jackson31,85044.72%35,83250.31%3,4044.78%1320.19%-3,982-5.59%71,218Jefferson2,46041.65%3,09652.42%3275.54%230.39%-636-10.77%5,906Josephine10,46235.21%17,46258.77%1,7205.79%670.23%-7,000-23.56%29,711Klamath5,86127.23%14,62767.96%9864.58%500.23%-8,766-40.73%21,524Lake76824.83%2,20271.19%1113.59%120.39%-1,434-46.36%3,093Lane69,22156.89%46,85938.51%5,4914.51%1080.09%22,36218.38%121,679Lincoln9,60253.10%7,31740.46%1,1136.15%520.29%2,28512.64%18,084Linn13,97538.43%20,42056.15%1,8915.20%830.23%-6,445-17.72%36,369Malheur2,34228.88%5,57268.71%1892.33%60.07%-3,230-39.83%8,109Marion41,33243.05%50,37152.46%3,9684.13%3420.36%-9,039-9.41%96,013Morrow98534.87%1,70160.21%1334.71%60.21%-716-25.35%2,825Multnomah159,24265.90%70,74529.28%10,6584.41%9790.41%88,49736.63%241,624Polk10,95643.74%13,12852.42%9223.68%400.16%-2,172-8.67%25,046Sherman30633.19%54959.54%667.16%10.11%-243-26.36%922Tillamook5,02548.05%4,81846.07%5865.60%290.28%2071.98%10,458Umatilla7,09238.35%10,70757.89%6563.55%390.21%-3,615-19.55%18,494Union3,61136.22%5,85358.71%4844.86%210.21%-2,242-22.49%9,969Wallowa98628.52%2,28366.04%1825.26%60.17%-1,297-37.52%3,457Wasco4,15645.90%4,37448.30%4985.50%270.30%-218-2.41%9,055Washington70,85947.58%71,80948.22%6,2034.17%570.04%-950-0.64%148,928Wheeler22733.19%41660.82%395.70%20.29%-189-27.63%684Yamhill12,18939.96%16,56554.31%1,5895.21%1570.51%-4,376-14.35%30,500Total618,00449.03%581,78546.16%57,7604.58%2,9480.23%36,2192.87%1,260,197 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Baker (largest city: Baker City) Clackamas (largest city: Lake Oswego) Coos (Largest city: Coos Bay) Crook (largest city: Prineville) Curry (largest city: Brookings) Douglas (largest city: Roseburg) Deschutes (largest municipality: Bend) Grant (largest city: John Day) Gilliam (Largest city: Condon) Harney (largest city: Burns) Jefferson (largest city: Madras) Josephine (largest city: Grants Pass) Klamath (largest city: Klamath Falls) Lake (largest city: Lakeview) Linn (largest city: Albany) Morrow (Largest city: Boardman) Jackson (largest city: Medford) Marion (largest city: Salem) Polk (largest city: Salem) Sherman (largest city: Wasco) Umatilla (largest city: Hermiston) Union (largest city: La Grande) Wallowa (largest city: Enterprise) Wasco (largest city: The Dalles) Washington (largest city: Hillsboro) Wheeler (largest city: Fossil) Yamhill (largest city: McMinnville) References 30em 2002 Oregon Gubernatorial Category:November 2002 in the United States