The 2002 Iowa gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Iowa Tom Vilsack sought re-election to a second term as governor. He won his party's nomination uncontested, while Doug Gross, an advisor to former and future Governor Terry Branstad, narrowly won the Republican primary in a crowded and competitive election. In the general election, Vilsack was able to improve slightly on his margin of victory four years earlier to win what would be his second and final term as governor.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Tom Vilsack, incumbent governor of Iowa
Republican primary
Candidates
- Doug Gross, advisor to former Governor Terry Branstad
- Steve Sukup, Iowa state representative (1995–2003)
- Bob Vander Plaats, family values activist
General election
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Adams (largest city: Corning)
- Hardin (largest city: Iowa Falls)
- Winnebago (largest city: Forest City)
- Clarke (largest city: Osceola)
- Louisa (largest city: Wapello)
- Mitchell (largest city: Osage)
- Union (largest city: Creston)
- Appanoose (largest city: Centerville)
- Decatur (largest city: Lamoni)
- Lucas (largest city: Chariton)
- Monona (largest city: Onawa)
- Ringgold (largest city: Mount Ayr)
- Taylor (largest city: Bedford)
- Wayne (largest city: Corydon)
- Wright (largest city: Eagle Grove)
- Cherokee (largest city: Cherokee)
- Calhoun (largest city: Rockwell City)
- Carroll (largest city: Carroll)
- Keokuk (largest city: Sigourney)
- Woodbury (largest city: Sioux City)
- Washington (largest city: Washington)
- Pocahontas (largest city: Pocahontas)
- Franklin (largest city: Hampton)
- Delaware (largest city: Manchester)
- Humboldt (largest city: Humboldt)
- Adair (largest city: Greenfield)
- Scott (largest city: Davenport)
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Jefferson (largest city: Fairfield)
- Dickinson (largest city: Spirit Lake)
- Sac (largest city: Sac City)
- Winneshiek (largest city: Decorah)
By congressional district
Vilsack won four of five congressional districts, including three that elected Republicans.