The 2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Geringer was term-limited and unable to seek a third term in office, thereby creating an open seat. Former U.S. Attorney Dave Freudenthal and former Wyoming House Speaker Eli Bebout both emerged from competitive Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively, and faced off against each other in the general election. Despite Wyoming's strong inclination to elect Republicans, a contentious race ensued, with Freudenthal ultimately defeating Bebout by fewer than 4,000 votes. As of , this is the last gubernatorial election in Wyoming to be decided by less than 30 percentage points.

Democratic primary

Candidates Ken Casner Dave Freudenthal, former United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming Paul Hickey, attorney, former chairman of the Wyoming Pipeline Authority and son of former governor John J. Hickey Toby Simpson, construction worker

Results

Republican primary

Candidates Eli Bebout, former Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives Ray Hunkins, attorney and rancher John H. Self Bill Sniffin, journalist and former Wyoming Travel Commissioner Stephen Watt, State Representative

Results

General election

Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political Report October 31, 2002Sabato's Crystal Ball November 4, 2002

Results

By county CountyDave FreudenthalDemocraticEli BeboutRepublicanDave DawsonLibertarianMarginTotal#%#%#%#%Albany6,77259.50%4,40438.70%2051.80%2,36820.81%11,381Big Horn1,43834.42%2,57961.73%1613.85%−1,141−27.31%4,178Campbell3,49834.18%6,50163.52%2352.30%−3,003−29.34%10,234Carbon3,49358.35%2,34539.17%1482.47%1,14819.18%5,986Converse2,09246.79%2,28151.02%982.19%−189−4.23%4,471Crook93133.03%1,80764.10%812.87%−876−31.07%2,819Fremont5,50039.67%8,10858.47%2581.86%−2,608−18.81%13,866Goshen1,89340.34%2,71857.92%821.75%−825−17.58%4,693Hot Springs1,21255.57%94243.19%271.24%27012.38%2,181Johnson1,26340.22%1,82958.25%481.53%−566−18.03%3,140Laramie18,56360.99%11,48737.74%3851.26%7,07623.25%30,435Lincoln1,88734.02%3,52063.47%1392.51%−1,633−29.44%5,546Natrona13,17555.80%9,82541.61%6102.58%3,35014.19%23,610Niobrara41133.77%77463.60%322.63%−363−29.83%1,217Park4,19239.00%6,28758.49%2692.50%−2,095−19.49%10,748Platte2,12254.86%1,64542.53%1012.61%47712.33%3,868Sheridan5,51048.91%5,56749.41%1891.68%−57−0.51%11,266Sublette1,02539.27%1,53958.97%461.76%−514−19.69%2,610Sweetwater7,80959.33%5,02638.18%3282.49%2,78321.14%13,163Teton4,28156.60%3,12841.35%1552.05%1,15315.24%7,564Uinta3,00447.58%3,12549.49%1852.93%−121−1.92%6,314Washakie1,53345.26%1,80553.29%491.45%−272−8.03%3,387Weston1,05838.03%1,63158.63%933.34%−573−20.60%2,782Totals 92,662 49.96% 88,873 47.92% 3,924 2.12% 3,789 2.04% 185,459

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Hot Springs (Largest city: Thermopolis) Natrona (Largest city: Casper) Albany (Largest city: Laramie) Platte (Largest city: Wheatland) Teton (Largest city: Jackson) Laramie (Largest city: Cheyenne)

References

External links Official campaign websites (archived) Dave Freudenthal (D) for Governor Eli Bebout (R) for Governor