2002 Ohio gubernatorial election

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. But Brown ultimately would not pursue a race, and would go 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, Tim Hagan became the Democratic nominee.

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Bob Taft, incumbent Governor of Ohio

Results

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, William Shatner to raise money. Hagan still struggled, and had to pull TV ads, and focus on mail ads.

Predictions

Polling

Results

Taft won reelection easily, winning by nearly 19.5% and by 628,083 votes. Taft did well in most parts of the state. Hagan only managed to win six out of 88 counties. Hagan 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 go on to defeat Republican Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. It 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)

Notes

References

References

1. Wenzel, Fritz. (2001-12-31). "A predictable political year ahead". Toledo Blade.
2. Associated Press. (2001-05-09). "Hagan may run for governor". Portsmouth Daily Times.
3. Associated Press. (2001-04-28). "Politics are not in Celeste's plans". The Vindicator.
4. Skolnick, David. (2001-04-04). "Brown hints at run for governor's job". The Vindicator.
5. Wenzel, Fritz. (2001-03-17). "GOP holds edge in redrawing Ohio political map". Toledo Blade.
6. "CNN.com Election 2002 - State Races: Ohio".
7. McCarthy, John. (2002-05-02). "Partisans have no choice at the top - again". The Bryan Times.
8. "Results".
9. "Results 2002".
10. Drew, James. (2002-06-15). "Hagan falls behind Taft in quest for campaign cash". Toledo Blade.
11. Associated Press. (2002-08-25). "'Star Trek' Fans raise $150,000 for Tim Hagan". The Vindicator.
12. (2002-08-27). "CNN.com - Let the debates begin - August 27, 2002".
13. The Vindicator Wire Report. (2002-08-22). "Hagan forgoes TV ads, citing lack of campaign funds". The Vindicator.
14. Associated Press. (2002-08-23). "Hagan abandons TV for mailboxes". The Daily Sentinel.
15. (October 31, 2002). "Governor Updated October 31, 2002 {{!}} The Cook Political Report".
16. (November 4, 2002). "Governors Races".
17. [https://www.surveyusa.com/2002Elec.html SurveyUSA]
18. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130316000959/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/elections/Research/electResultsMain/2002Results/recap.aspx 2002 results]