The 2002 Ohio gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican Governor of Ohio Bob Taft ran for a second and final term as governor. He was opposed by Democratic nominee Tim Hagan, a former Cuyahoga County commissioner. The race between Taft and Hagan was not competitive; Taft was re-elected by a substantial margin.
As of 2026, this was the last time that someone other than a current or former member of Congress was elected to the governorship.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Tim Hagan, former Cuyahoga County commissioner and candidate for Cleveland mayor in 1989
Declined
- Sherrod Brown, U.S. representative from Ohio's 13th congressional district since 1993, Ohio secretary of state 1983-1991
- Richard Celeste, U.S. ambassador to India 1997–2001, former governor of Ohio 1983-1991
Sherrod Brown's district was seen as particularly vulnerable in redistricting, and many thought he would run for governor. Brown ultimately did not pursue a race, and went on to win in a redrawn 13th district. Tim Hagan, a former Cuyahoga County commissioner, had initially dithered on running, indicating a willingness to defer to a more prominent nominee, should one emerge. As none emerged, Hagan became the Democratic nominee.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Bob Taft, incumbent governor of Ohio
General election
Taft was the favorite, and Hagan struggled with fundraising. Hagan, who was married to Star Trek actress Kate Mulgrew, held a fundraiser with her and William Shatner. Hagan still struggled, and had to pull TV ads and focus on mail ads.
Results
Taft won reelection easily, winning by nearly 19.5% and by 628,083 votes. He did well in most parts of the state. Hagan only managed to win six out of 88 counties. He won Lorain County, Cuyahoga County, Summit County, Trumbull County, Mahoning County, and Athens County. Despite winning in a landslide,
Taft would go on to be extremely unpopular in his second term, leaving office with a 2% approval rating, the lowest for any statewide official in modern U.S. history.
In 2006, Democrat Ted Strickland would easily defeat Republican Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. This resulted in a gain for the Democrats, and was the first time they had obtained the governorship in 16 years.
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Montgomery (largest city: Dayton)
- Monroe (largest city: Woodsfield)
- Portage (largest city: Kent)
- Lucas (largest city: Toledo)
- Erie (largest city: Sandusky)
- Belmont (largest city: Martins Ferry)
- Jefferson (largest city: Steubenville)
- Tuscarawas (largest city: New Philadelphia)
- Harrison (largest city: Cadiz)
- Perry (largest city: New Lexington)
- Pike (largest city: Waverly)
- Ross (largest city: Chillicothe)
- Scioto (largest city: Portsmouth)
- Vinton (largest city: McArthur)