2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election


The 2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002 to select the Governor of Hawaii. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Hawaii Ben Cayetano was term-limited and therefore could not run for re-election. Former Maui Mayor Linda Lingle, who had narrowly lost the 1998 election, was nominated once again by the Republicans while Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono earned the Democratic nomination in a tightly fought race. Lingle and Hirono duked it out in a toughly-fought campaign, with Hirono's campaign crippled by allegations of corruption within the Hawaii Democratic Party and many voters desiring a change. Ultimately, Lingle defeated Hirono in one of the state's closest gubernatorial elections, making her the first Republican Governor of Hawaii since 1962 and the state's first ever female Governor.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Republican primary

Candidates

General election

Results