The 2002 Jackson County Executive election took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic County Executive Katheryn Shields ran for re-election to a third term.
Shields initially faced a challenge in the Democratic primary from State Senator Ronnie DePasco, but he ultimately withdrew from the race. Shields won the primary in a landslide, and faced Republican State Representative Pat Kelley in the general election. She defeated Kelley by a wide margin, becoming the first County Executive to be elected to three terms.
Democratic primary Candidates Katheryn Shields, incumbent County Executive John Speakman Cowboy, convenience store worker
Withdrawn Ronnie DePasco, State Senator
Declined Greg Grounds, Mayor of Blue Springs Karen Messerli, Mayor of Lee's Summit Pat McInerney, former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Results
Republican primary Candidates Pat Kelley, State Representative
Results
Reform primary Candidates Richard Charles Tolbert, former Kansas City Councilman
Results
General election Results
References