Wikipedia

2002 Oregon gubernatorial election

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.

2002 Oregon gubernatorial election
← 1998
November 5, 2002
2006 →
 
Nominee Ted Kulongoski Kevin Mannix
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 618,004 581,785
Percentage 49.03% 46.16%
County results
Kulongoski:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Mannix:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

John Kitzhaber
Democratic

 Elected Governor

Ted Kulongoski
Democratic

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Campaign

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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%.[2] 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.[3]

Results

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Results by county:
Ted Kulongoski
  •   50–55%
      45–50%
      40–45%
      35–40%
Democratic Primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ted Kulongoski 170,799 48.21%
Democratic Jim Hill 92,294 26.05%
Democratic Bev Stein 76,517 21.60%
Democratic William Peter Allen 6,582 1.86%
Democratic Caleb Burns 4,167 1.18%
Democratic Scattering 3,925 1.11%
Total votes 354,284 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Results by county:
Kevin Mannix
  •   45–50%
      40–45%
      35–40%
      30–35%
Jack Roberts
  •   40–45%
      35–40%
      30–35%
Ron Saxton
  •   40–45%
      35–40%
      30–35%
Republican primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin Mannix 117,194 35.24%
Republican Jack Roberts 98,008 29.47%
Republican Ron Saxton 93,484 28.11%
Republican W. Ames Curtright 10,986 3.30%
Republican Roger Weidner 7,395 2.22%
Republican Lee R. Shindler 2,266 0.68%
Republican Scattering 3,242 0.97%
Total votes 332,575 100.00%

General election

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Campaign

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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.[5]

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.[6] Tribes invested record amounts of money into Oregon politics in this race, including $40,000 supporting Kulongoski.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] He also attacked Kulongoski for being soft on crime.[8] A poll in October showed Kulongoski at 45%, only 4 percent ahead of Mannix at 41%.[9]

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.[10]

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[11] Lean D October 31, 2002
Sabato's Crystal Ball[12] Lean D November 4, 2002

Results

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2002 Oregon gubernatorial election[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ted Kulongoski 618,004 49.03% −15.39%
Republican Kevin Mannix 581,785 46.16% +16.15%
Libertarian Tom Cox 57,760 4.58% +2.77%
Write-in Scattering 2,948 0.23%
Total votes 1,260,497 100.00%
Majority 36,219 2.87% −31.54%
Democratic hold Swing -31.54%

Results by county

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As of 2026, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Washington County has backed a Republican.

County[13] Ted Kulongoski
Democratic		 Kevin Mannix
Republican		 Tom Cox
Libertarian		 Scattering
Write-in		 Margin Total votes cast
# % # % # % # % # %
Baker 2,335 32.39% 4,522 62.73% 341 4.73% 11 0.15% -2,187 -30.34% 7,209
Benton 18,226 56.58% 12,769 39.64% 1,138 3.53% 81 0.25% 5,457 16.94% 32,214
Clackamas 60,840 45.93% 66,114 49.91% 5,439 4.11% 68 0.05% -5,274 -3.98% 132,461
Clatsop 7,347 53.55% 5,606 40.86% 699 5.09% 68 0.50% 1,741 12.69% 13,720
Columbia 8,465 47.41% 8,000 44.81% 1,298 7.27% 92 0.52% 465 2.60% 17,855
Coos 10,968 44.05% 12,463 50.05% 1,395 5.60% 73 0.29% -1,495 -6.00% 24,899
Crook 2,454 34.42% 4,175 58.56% 474 6.65% 27 0.38% -1,721 -24.14% 7,130
Curry 3,816 40.29% 5,154 54.41% 479 5.06% 23 0.24% -1,338 -14.13% 9,472
Deschutes 21,544 43.60% 25,189 50.98% 2,546 5.15% 129 0.26% -3,645 -7.38% 49,408
Douglas 12,953 34.00% 22,934 60.20% 2,101 5.52% 106 0.28% -9,981 -26.20% 38,094
Gilliam 410 41.37% 552 55.70% 29 2.93% 0 0.00% -142 -14.33% 991
Grant 704 20.46% 2,615 76.00% 115 3.34% 7 0.20% -1,911 -55.54% 3,441
Harney 777 26.14% 1,970 66.29% 214 7.20% 11 0.37% -1,193 -40.14% 2,972
Hood River 3,658 52.53% 3,016 43.31% 276 3.96% 13 0.19% 642 9.22% 6,963
Jackson 31,850 44.72% 35,832 50.31% 3,404 4.78% 132 0.19% -3,982 -5.59% 71,218
Jefferson 2,460 41.65% 3,096 52.42% 327 5.54% 23 0.39% -636 -10.77% 5,906
Josephine 10,462 35.21% 17,462 58.77% 1,720 5.79% 67 0.23% -7,000 -23.56% 29,711
Klamath 5,861 27.23% 14,627 67.96% 986 4.58% 50 0.23% -8,766 -40.73% 21,524
Lake 768 24.83% 2,202 71.19% 111 3.59% 12 0.39% -1,434 -46.36% 3,093
Lane 69,221 56.89% 46,859 38.51% 5,491 4.51% 108 0.09% 22,362 18.38% 121,679
Lincoln 9,602 53.10% 7,317 40.46% 1,113 6.15% 52 0.29% 2,285 12.64% 18,084
Linn 13,975 38.43% 20,420 56.15% 1,891 5.20% 83 0.23% -6,445 -17.72% 36,369
Malheur 2,342 28.88% 5,572 68.71% 189 2.33% 6 0.07% -3,230 -39.83% 8,109
Marion 41,332 43.05% 50,371 52.46% 3,968 4.13% 342 0.36% -9,039 -9.41% 96,013
Morrow 985 34.87% 1,701 60.21% 133 4.71% 6 0.21% -716 -25.35% 2,825
Multnomah 159,242 65.90% 70,745 29.28% 10,658 4.41% 979 0.41% 88,497 36.63% 241,624
Polk 10,956 43.74% 13,128 52.42% 922 3.68% 40 0.16% -2,172 -8.67% 25,046
Sherman 306 33.19% 549 59.54% 66 7.16% 1 0.11% -243 -26.36% 922
Tillamook 5,025 48.05% 4,818 46.07% 586 5.60% 29 0.28% 207 1.98% 10,458
Umatilla 7,092 38.35% 10,707 57.89% 656 3.55% 39 0.21% -3,615 -19.55% 18,494
Union 3,611 36.22% 5,853 58.71% 484 4.86% 21 0.21% -2,242 -22.49% 9,969
Wallowa 986 28.52% 2,283 66.04% 182 5.26% 6 0.17% -1,297 -37.52% 3,457
Wasco 4,156 45.90% 4,374 48.30% 498 5.50% 27 0.30% -218 -2.41% 9,055
Washington 70,859 47.58% 71,809 48.22% 6,203 4.17% 57 0.04% -950 -0.64% 148,928
Wheeler 227 33.19% 416 60.82% 39 5.70% 2 0.29% -189 -27.63% 684
Yamhill 12,189 39.96% 16,565 54.31% 1,589 5.21% 157 0.51% -4,376 -14.35% 30,500
Total618,00449.03%581,78546.16%57,7604.58%2,9480.23%36,2192.87%1,260,197

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 Voters' Pamphlet Vote By Mail Primary Election May 21, 2002. Oregon Secretary of State. 2002. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  2. ↑ "GOP, Dems See Chance at Oregon Governor's Spot". Fox News Channel. May 18, 2002. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Five 'other' candidates are running". Oregon Daily Emerald. May 9, 2002. Archived from the original on May 27, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
  4. 1 2 Official Abstract of Votes Primary Election May 21, 2002. Oregon Secretary of State. 2002. pp. 11–12. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Governor race heats up". Oregon Daily Emerald. September 23, 2002. Retrieved May 20, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  6. ↑ Jim Lynch (November 21, 2002). "Silence of Oregon's Governor Elect Adds Fuel to Fight over Casino". Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. The Oregonian. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012.
  7. ↑ Jim Lynch (January 15, 2003). "Native American Tribes Invest Record Cash in Oregon Politics". Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. The Oregonian. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Benedetto, Richard (November 11, 2002). "Blue-collar campaign allows lawyer to bowl over challenger". USA Today. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
  9. 1 2 "Seeming Shoo-In Finds Himself Fighting". Fox News Channel. October 23, 2002. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Mannix concedes in race for governor". Oregon Daily Emerald. November 7, 2002. Archived from the original on July 9, 2007. Retrieved May 21, 2008.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ "Governors Races". www.centerforpolitics.org. November 4, 2002. Archived from the original on December 12, 2002. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  13. 1 2 "November 5, 2002 General Election Abstract of Votes". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
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