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2002 Alaska gubernatorial election

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Field	Value
election_name	2002 Alaska gubernatorial election
country	Alaska
type	presidential
ongoing	no
previous_election	1998 Alaska gubernatorial election
previous_year	1998
next_election	2006 Alaska gubernatorial election
next_year	2006
election_date	November 5, 2002
image1	File:Frank Murkowski color portrait.jpg
image_size	x150px
nominee1	Frank Murkowski
party1	Republican Party (United States)
running_mate1	Loren Leman
popular_vote1	129,279
percentage1	55.85%
image2	File:Fran Ulmer at Fisheries Meeting.png
nominee2	Fran Ulmer
party2	Democratic Party (United States)
running_mate2	Ernie Hall
popular_vote2	94,216
percentage2	40.70%
map_image	2002 Alaska gubernatorial election by State House District.svg
map_size	325px
map_caption	Results by state house district
Murkowski:
Ulmer:
title	Governor
before_election	Tony Knowles
before_party	Democratic Party (United States)
after_election	Frank Murkowski
after_party	Republican Party (United States)

Murkowski:
Ulmer:
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.

Campaign

Murkowski started the campaign as the clear favorite as Ulmer, despite being lieutenant governor, had a lot less name recognition. 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. By October polls showed the candidates about level with one poll on October 17 showing Ulmer at 46% and Murkowski at 43%.

The biggest issue in the campaign was the economy and what to do about the projected budget shortfall in Alaska. 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.

President George W. Bush made an advertisement supporting Murkowski, who also received support from Republicans Gale Norton, Ted Stevens and Don Young. 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. 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.

Debate

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Republican	Democratic	Key:
Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn	Republican Party (US)}}"		Democratic Party (US)}}"	Frank Murkowski	Fran Ulmer	1
Oct. 22, 2002	C-SPAN
KUAC-TV	Robert Hannon	[C-SPAN](https://www.c-span.org/video/?173396-1/alaska-gubernatorial-debate)

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report		October 31, 2002
Sabato's Crystal Ball		November 4, 2002

Election results

U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski won the election with 55.9% of the vote, the highest percentage for any Alaska gubernatorial candidate up to that time.

References

(2002-08-27). "Largent wins GOP nod for Oklahoma governor". [[USA Today]].
(2002-07-24). "Alaska candidate wants to pack her heat".
(2002-08-12). "Democrats for governor: Ulmer, Lemke and Beasley". AlaskaLegislature.com.
(2002-10-22). "Alaska governor's race surprisingly close". [[CNN]].
(2002-10-21). "Ulmer chases odds to be first woman governor". Kenai Peninsula Online.
(2002-10-17). "Poll shows Ulmer closed gap with Murkowski". Kenai Peninsula Online.
(2002-10-24). "Fiscal gap dominates Anchorage debate". Kenai Peninsula Online.
(2002-11-07). "Career politician to head home state". [[USA Today]].
(2002-11-01). "Post Time in the Gubernatorial Stakes". [[BusinessWeek]].
(2002-10-22). "Stevens stumps for Murkowski in Fairbanks". Kenai Peninsula Online.
(2002-12-20). "Gov. Murkowski appoints daughter to fill Senate seat". Kenai Peninsula Online.
(October 31, 2002). "Governor Updated October 31, 2002 {{!}} The Cook Political Report".
(November 4, 2002). "Governors Races".
"STATE OF ALASKA GENERAL ELECTION – NOVEMBER 5, 2002 OFFICIAL RESULTS". State of Alaska Division of Elections.

Info: Wikipedia Source

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