2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election

The 2002 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002 for the post of Governor of Minnesota. Republican candidate Tim Pawlenty defeated Democratic candidate Roger Moe and Independence Party of Minnesota candidate Tim Penny. Due to the health of his spouse, incumbent Governor Jesse Ventura chose not to seek re-election. Pawlenty comfortably won the election, which was attributed in part to Moe's uninspired campaign, with Moe being dubbed a "cautious dullard" four years later by the City Pages.

Candidate

 * Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota House of Representatives and Majority Leader
 * Leslie Davis, former Minneapolis mayoral candidate in 1994

DFL primary
In May 2002, the DFL formally endorsed Moe over rival Judi Dutcher, the Minnesota State Auditor. Becky Lourey, a member of the Minnesota Senate, was also a contender before dropping out.

Candidate

 * Roger Moe, Member of the Minnesota Senate and Majority Leader
 * Oloveuse S. "Ole" Savior, artist and perennial candidate.

Counties that flipped from Independence to Republican

 * Benton (Largest city: Sauk Rapids)
 * Blue Earth (Largest city: Mankato)
 * Chisago (Largest city: North Branch)
 * Cottonwood (Largest city: Windom)
 * Dakota (Largest city: Hastings)
 * Goodhue (Largest city: Red Wing)
 * Grant (Largest city: Elbow Lake)
 * Isanti (Largest city: Cambridge)
 * Kanabec (Largest city: Mora)
 * Kandiyohi (Largest city: Willmar)
 * Le Sueur (Largest city: Le Sueur)
 * McLeod (Largest city: Hutchinson)
 * Meeker (Largest city: Litchfield)
 * Mille Lacs (Largest city: Princeton)
 * Nicollet (Largest city: North Mankato)
 * Pope (Largest city: Glenwood)
 * Renville (Largest city: Olivia)
 * Sherburne (Largest city: Elk River)
 * Sibley (Largest city: Gaylord)
 * Stearns (Largest city: St. Cloud)
 * Steele (Largest city: Owatonna)
 * Wabasha (Largest city: Lake City)
 * Washington (Largest city: Stillwater)
 * Watonwan (Largest city: St. James)
 * Wright (Largest city: Otsego)
 * Aitkin (largest city: Aitkin)
 * Pine (largest city: Pine City)
 * Rice (largest city: Faribault)
 * Anoka (Largest city: Blaine)
 * Carver (Largest city: Chaska)

Counties that flipped from Independence to Democratic

 * Yellow Medicine (Largest city: Granite Falls)
 * Chippewa (Largest city: Montevideo)
 * Hennepin (Largest city: Minneapolis)
 * Ramsey (Largest city: St. Paul)
 * Swift (largest city: Benson)

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

 * Beltrami (Largest city: Bemidji)
 * Koochiching (Largest city: International Falls)
 * Clearwater (Largest city: Bagley)

Counties that flipped from Republican to Independence

 * Olmsted (largest city: Rochester)
 * Fillmore (largest city: Spring Valley)
 * Freeborn (largest city: Albert Lea)

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Independence

 * Mower (largest city: Austin)