The 2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002 for the post of governor of Minnesota. Governor Jesse Ventura chose not to seek re-election to a second term in office. Republican state representative Tim Pawlenty defeated Democratic state senator Roger Moe and Independence Party candidate Tim Penny. Pawlenty comfortably won the election, which was attributed in part to Moe's uninspired campaign; Moe would be dubbed a "cautious dullard" four years later by the City Pages.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Leslie Davis, 1994 Minneapolis mayoral candidate
- Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota House of Representatives majority leader
DFL primary
In May 2002, the DFL formally endorsed Moe over rival Judi Dutcher, the Minnesota state auditor. Becky Lourey, a member of the Minnesota Senate, was also a contender before dropping out.
Candidates
- Roger Moe, Minnesota Senate majority leader
- Oloveuse S. "Ole" Savior, artist and perennial candidate
Withdrew
- Judi Dutcher, Minnesota state auditor (following defeat at convention)
- Becky Lourey, state senator from Kerrick
General election
Candidates
- Lawrence Aeshliman (Constitution)
- Booker Hodges IV (Independent)
- Roger Moe, Minnesota Senate majority leader (Democratic)
- Running mate: Julie Sabo, state senator from Minneapolis and daughter of Martin Olav Sabo
- Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota House of Representatives majority leader (Republican)
- Running mate: Carol Molnau, state representative from Chaska
- Tim Penny, former U.S. representative from New Richland (Independence)
- Running mate: Martha Robertson
- Ken Pentel (Green)
- Kari Sachs (Socialist Workers)
Polling
Polls indicated a dead heat between Penny, Moe, and Pawlenty less than a month before the election. A poll by the Star Tribune had Moe and Penny tied at 27%, and Pawlenty ahead with 29%.
Results
Counties that flipped from Reform to Republican
- Benton (largest city: Sauk Rapids)
- Blue Earth (largest city: Mankato)
- Chisago (largest city: North Branch)
- Scott (largest city: Shakopee)
- Dakota (largest city: Hastings)
- Goodhue (largest city: Red Wing)
- Grant (largest city: Elbow Lake)
- Isanti (largest city: Cambridge)
- Kanabec (largest city: Mora)
- Kandiyohi (largest city: Willmar)
- Le Sueur (largest city: Le Sueur)
- McLeod (largest city: Hutchinson)
- Meeker (largest city: Litchfield)
- Mille Lacs (largest city: Princeton)
- Nicollet (largest city: North Mankato)
- Pope (largest city: Glenwood)
- Renville (largest city: Olivia)
- Sherburne (largest city: Elk River)
- Sibley (largest city: Gaylord)
- Stearns (largest city: St. Cloud)
- Steele (largest city: Owatonna)
- Wabasha (largest city: Lake City)
- Washington (largest city: Stillwater)
- Watonwan (largest city: St. James)
- Wright (largest city: Otsego)
- Aitkin (largest city: Aitkin)
- Pine (largest city: Pine City)
- Rice (largest city: Faribault)
- Anoka (largest city: Blaine)
- Carver (largest city: Chaska)
Counties that flipped from Reform to Democratic
- Yellow Medicine (largest city: Granite Falls)
- Chippewa (largest city: Montevideo)
- Hennepin (largest city: Minneapolis)
- Ramsey (largest city: St. Paul)
- Swift (largest city: Benson)
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Beltrami (largest city: Bemidji)
- Koochiching (largest city: International Falls)
- Clearwater (largest city: Bagley)
- Traverse (largest city: Wheaton)
- Mahnomen (largest city: Mahnomen)
Counties that flipped from Republican to Independence
- Olmsted (largest city: Rochester)
- Fillmore (largest city: Spring Valley)
- Freeborn (largest city: Albert Lea)
- Dodge (largest city: Kasson)
- Faribault (largest city: Blue Earth)
- Waseca (largest city: Waseca)
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Independence
- Mower (largest city: Austin)