2002 Oregon gubernatorial election#Republican primary
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2002 Oregon gubernatorial election
| country = Oregon
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 Oregon gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2006 Oregon gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2006
| election_date = November 5, 2002
| image1 = File:Ted kulongoski.jpg
| image_size = x150px
| nominee1 = Ted Kulongoski
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 618,004
| percentage1 = 49.03%
| image2 = File:Kevin Mannix.jpg
| nominee2 = Kevin Mannix
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 581,785
| percentage2 = 46.16%
| map_image = 2002 Oregon gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 260px
| map_caption = County results
Kulongoski: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
Mannix: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = John Kitzhaber
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Ted Kulongoski
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{ElectionsOR}}
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=
- 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
- Jim Hill, former Oregon State Treasurer
- 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%.{{cite web| url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/gop-dems-see-chance-at-oregon-governors-spot | title = GOP, Dems See Chance at Oregon Governor's Spot | access-date = 2008-05-20 | date = 2002-05-18| work=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.{{cite web | url = http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2002/05/09/UndefinedSection/Five-other.Candidates.Are.Running-1977168.shtml | title = Five 'other' candidates are running | access-date = 2008-05-20 | date = 2002-05-09 | work = Oregon Daily Emerald | archive-url = 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 | archive-date = 2008-05-27 | url-status = dead }}
=Results=
[[File:2002 Oregon gubernatorial election results map by county, Democratic primary.svg|thumb|Results by county:
{{collapsible list
|title=Ted Kulongoski
|{{legend|#7777ffff|50–55%}}{{legend|#9999ffff|45–50%}}{{legend|#afb0ffff|40–45%}}{{legend|#cdcdffff|35–40%}}
}}]]
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic Primary results[http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6873551 Content Manager WebDrawer – 2002 Primary Election Official Results]
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ted Kulongoski
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 170,799
| percentage = 48.21
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jim Hill
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 92,294
| percentage = 26.05
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Bev Stein
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 76,517
| percentage = 21.60
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = William Peter Allen
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 6,582
| percentage = 1.86
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Caleb Burns
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 4,167
| percentage = 1.18
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Write-ins
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 3,925
| percentage = 1.11
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 354,284
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
Republican primary
=Candidates=
- 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
- W. Ames Curtright
- Robert Weidner, 1998 Constitution Party nominee for Governor of Oregon
- Lee R. Shindler
=Results=
[[File:2002 Oregon gubernatorial election results map by county, Republican primary.svg|thumb|Results by county:
{{collapsible list
|title=Kevin Mannix
|{{legend|#f48d91ff|45–50%}}{{legend|#f8b3b6ff|40–45%}}{{legend|#ffcdcdff|35–40%}}{{legend|#ffe1e1ff|30–35%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
|title=Jack Roberts
|{{legend|#ffde71ff|40–45%}}{{legend|#ffe48aff|35–40%}}{{legend|#fff29bff|30–35%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
|title=Ron Saxton
|{{legend|#5bc75bff|45–50%}}{{legend|#78e478ff|40–45%}}{{legend|#98f998ff|35–40%}}{{legend|#b2ffb2ff|30–35%}}
}}
]]
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Kevin Mannix
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 117,194
| percentage = 35.24
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jack Roberts
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 98,008
| percentage = 29.47
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ron Saxton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 93,484
| percentage = 28.11
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = W. Ames Curtright
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 10,986
| percentage = 3.30
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Roger Weidner
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 7,395
| percentage = 2.22
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Lee R. Shindler
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 2,266
| percentage = 0.68
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Write-ins
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 3,242
| percentage = 0.97
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 332,575
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
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.{{cite web | url = http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2002/09/23/News/Governor.Race.Heats.Up-1978032.shtml | title = Governor race heats up | access-date = 2008-05-20 | date = 2002-09-23 | work = Oregon Daily Emerald }}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=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.{{cite news
|title=Silence of Oregon's Governor Elect Adds Fuel to Fight over Casino
|work=Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
|date=November 21, 2002
|author=Jim Lynch
|publisher=The Oregonian
|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94942606.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020092505/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94942606.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2012}} Tribes invested record amounts of money into Oregon politics in this race, including $40,000 supporting Kulongoski.{{cite news
|title=Native American Tribes Invest Record Cash in Oregon Politics
|work=Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
|date=January 15, 2003
|author=Jim Lynch
|publisher=The Oregonian
|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-96481968.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020074933/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-96481968.html
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=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.{{cite news| url = https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2002-11-11--kulongoski-usat_x.htm | title = Blue-collar campaign allows lawyer to bowl over challenger | access-date = 2008-05-20 | date = 2002-11-11| work=USA Today | first1=Richard | last1=Benedetto | author-link=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.{{cite web| url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/seeming-shoo-in-finds-himself-fighting | title = Seeming Shoo-In Finds Himself Fighting | access-date = 2008-05-20 | date = 2002-10-23| work=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 6 November 2002 after Kulongoski secured a decisive lead in the vote count. The 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.{{cite web | url = http://media.www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2002/11/07/UndefinedSection/Mannix.Concedes.In.Race.For.Governor-1978729.shtml | title = Mannix concedes in race for governor | access-date = 2008-05-21 | date = 2002-11-07 | work = Oregon Daily Emerald | archive-url = 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 | archive-date = 2007-07-09 | url-status = dead }}
=Predictions=
=Results=
{{Election box begin | title=Oregon gubernatorial election, 2002[http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6873550 Content Manager WebDrawer – 2002 General Election Official Results]
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Ted Kulongoski
|votes = 618,004
|percentage = 49.03%
|change = -15.39%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Kevin Mannix
|votes = 581,785
|percentage = 46.16%
|change = +16.15%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Tom Cox
|votes = 57,760
|percentage = 4.58%
|change = +2.77%
}}
{{Election box candidate|
|party = Write-ins
|candidate =
|votes = 2,948
|percentage = 0.23%
|change =
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 36,219
|percentage = 2.87%
|change = -31.54%
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 1,260,497
|percentage =
|change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
|loser = Republican Party (United States)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
==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
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Oregon elections}}
{{United States general elections, 2002}}