2002 Alaska gubernatorial election
November 5, 2002
 
Nominee Frank Murkowski Fran Ulmer
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Loren Leman Ernie Hall
Popular vote 129,279 94,216
Percentage 55.8% 40.7%
Results by state house district
Murkowski:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Ulmer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

Tony Knowles
Democratic

 Elected Governor

Frank Murkowski
Republican

The 2002 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002, for the post of Governor of Alaska. Republican U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski defeated Democratic Lieutenant Governor Fran Ulmer. Murkowski became the first Republican elected governor of Alaska since Jay Hammond in 1978.

Primaries

Incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Knowles was term limited from running again. Lieutenant Governor Fran Ulmer easily won the Democratic primary on August 27 against outsiders Michael Beasley and Bruce Lemke, neither of whom did much campaigning. Meanwhile, Senator Frank Murkowski also gained an easy win in the Republican primary.[1][2][3]

Campaign

Murkowski started the campaign as the clear favorite as Ulmer, despite being lieutenant governor, had a lot less name recognition.[4] Polls initially showed Ulmer about 20 percent behind Murkowski but as the campaign continued Ulmer closed on Murkowski in the polls by concentrating on local issues such as the state budget and by portraying herself as a moderate.[4][5] By October polls showed the candidates about level with one poll on October 17 showing Ulmer at 46% and Murkowski at 43%.[6]

The biggest issue in the campaign was the economy and what to do about the projected budget shortfall in Alaska.[4] The issue dominated the October debates between the two candidates in Fairbanks and Anchorage.[7] Ulmer argued that the state should consider introducing a statewide tax for the first time since 1980 if the budget reserve fell too far and that state spending should be capped.[7] However Murkowski opposed any new taxes and called his opponent pro-tax. He said that new oil prospects, high oil prices and revenues from other resources could close the gap in the budget.[8]

President George W. Bush made an advertisement supporting Murkowski, who also received support from Republicans Gale Norton, Ted Stevens and Don Young.[9] Ulmer received support from former Republican Governor Jay Hammond, Governor Tony Knowles and called on voters to support her so that Murkowski could stay working as Senator for Alaska in Congress.[10] During the campaign Murkowski refused to say whom he would appoint to serve his remaining two years as U.S. senator but after the election appointed his daughter Lisa Murkowski, majority leader-elect in the Alaska House of Representatives, to fill the seat.[11][12]

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[13] Tossup October 31, 2002
Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] Lean R (flip) November 4, 2002

Election results

U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski won the election with 55.85% of the vote, the highest percentage for any Alaska gubernatorial candidate up to that time.

2002 Alaska gubernatorial election[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frank Murkowski 129,279 55.85 +38.0
Democratic Fran Ulmer 94,216 40.70 −10.6
Green Diane E. Benson 2,926 1.26 −1.7
Independence Don Wright 2,185 0.94 +0.9
Republican Moderate Raymond VinZant 1,506 0.65 −5.5
Libertarian Billy Toien 1,109 0.48 +0.5
Write-ins 263 0.11 −19.7
Majority 35,063 15.2 −17.8
Turnout 231,484 50.5 +1.9
Republican gain from Democratic Swing −48.2

References

  1. ↑ "Largent wins GOP nod for Oklahoma governor". USA Today. August 27, 2002. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
  2. ↑ "Alaska candidate wants to pack her heat". seattlepi.com. July 24, 2002. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Democrats for governor: Ulmer, Lemke and Beasley". AlaskaLegislature.com. August 12, 2002. Archived from the original on April 8, 2006. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  4. 1 2 3 "Alaska governor's race surprisingly close". CNN. October 22, 2002. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Ulmer chases odds to be first woman governor". Kenai Peninsula Online. October 21, 2002. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Poll shows Ulmer closed gap with Murkowski". Kenai Peninsula Online. October 17, 2002. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  7. 1 2 "Murkowski and Ulmer face off in two debates in Fairbanks". Kenai Peninsula Online. October 23, 2002. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Fiscal gap dominates Anchorage debate". Kenai Peninsula Online. October 24, 2002. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
  9. ↑ Lawrence, Jill (November 7, 2002). "Career politician to head home state". USA Today. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Post Time in the Gubernatorial Stakes". BusinessWeek. November 1, 2002. Archived from the original on September 21, 2005. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Stevens stumps for Murkowski in Fairbanks". Kenai Peninsula Online. October 22, 2002. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Gov. Murkowski appoints daughter to fill Senate seat". Kenai Peninsula Online. December 20, 2002. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  13. ↑ "Governor Updated October 31, 2002 | The Cook Political Report". The Cook Political Report. October 31, 2002. Archived from the original on December 8, 2002. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Governors Races". www.centerforpolitics.org. November 4, 2002. Archived from the original on December 12, 2002. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  15. ↑ "STATE OF ALASKA GENERAL ELECTION – NOVEMBER 5, 2002 OFFICIAL RESULTS". State of Alaska Division of Elections. Archived from the original on July 17, 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
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