2002 Vermont gubernatorial election

The 2002 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic Governor Howard Dean did not run for re-election to a sixth full term as Governor of Vermont. Republican Jim Douglas defeated Democratic candidate Doug Racine and independent candidate Cornelius Hogan, among others, to succeed him. Since no candidate received a majority in the popular vote, Douglas was elected by the Vermont General Assembly per the state constitution.[1]

2002 Vermont gubernatorial election

November 5, 2002 (2002-11-05)
 
Nominee Jim Douglas Doug Racine Cornelius Hogan
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Popular vote 103,436 97,565 22,353
Percentage 44.9% 42.4% 9.7%

Douglas:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Racine:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Governor before election

Howard Dean
Democratic

Elected Governor

Jim Douglas
Republican

The race was very close, with Douglas prevailing by just under 6,000 votes or 2.56%. In Vermont for statewide/executive races if no candidate receives 50% then the Vermont General Assembly picks the winner. However, Racine declined to contest it further and conceded to Douglas. Ultimately it was Douglas's strong performance in Montpelier and Rutland that carried him to victory. Racine did do well in populous Burlington and greater Chittenden County, but it ultimately did not suffice. Racine called Douglas at 12:38 P.M. EST and conceded defeat. Douglas would go on to be reelected three more times. Racine would run for governor one last time in 2010, but narrowly lost the Democratic Primary to Peter Shumlin. After the close contest, Shumlin chose Racine to be his Secretary of Human Services. Racine stepped down from that post in 2014.

Democratic primary

Results

Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Doug Racine 25,522 99.1
Democratic Other 232 0.9
Total votes 25,754 100

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Douglas 23,366 96.7
Republican Other 789 3.3
Total votes 24,155 100

Progressive primary

Results

Progressive primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Michael J. Badamo 931 54.2
Progressive Peter Diamondstone 412 24.0
Progressive Other 376 21.8
Total votes 1,719 100

General election

Predictions

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

Results

2002 Vermont gubernatorial election[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Douglas 103,436 44.94 +6.94
Democratic Doug Racine 97,565 42.39 -8.11
Independent Cornelius Hogan 22,353 9.71
Marijuana Cris Ericson 1,737 0.75
Progressive Michael Badamo 1,380 0.60
Libertarian Joel Williams 938 0.41
Grassroots Patricia Hejny 771 0.33
Restore Justice-Freedom Marilynn Christian 638 0.28
Liberty Union Peter Diamondstone 625 0.27
Independent Brian Pearl 569 0.25
Write-in Write-ins 149 0.06
Total votes 230,161 100

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

See also

References

  1. "General Election Results - Governor - 1789-2012" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  2. "Primary Election Results" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  3. "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.
  4. "Governors Races". www.centerforpolitics.org. November 4, 2002. Archived from the original on December 12, 2002. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  5. "2002 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Vermont". U.S. Election Atlas. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
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