2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

The 2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002. Three-term incumbent Democratic Governor Jeanne Shaheen opted to unsuccessfully run for the United States Senate rather than seek a fourth term as governor. Republican Craig Benson, a self-funded businessman, defeated Democrat Mark Fernald, a state senator, in the general election after both won contested primary elections.

This was the only time a Republican was elected governor between 1994 and 2016.

Candidates

 * Mark Fernald, New Hampshire state senator
 * Bev Hollingworth, New Hampshire state senator

Candidates

 * Craig Benson, businessman
 * Bruce Keough, former New Hampshire state senator
 * Gordon J. Humphrey, former U.S. senator, 2000 Republican nominee for governor
 * Robert Kingsbury, perennial candidate
 * Joe Haas
 * Bob Kroepel

Counties that swung from Democratic to Republican

 * Coös (largest city: Berlin)
 * Hillsborough (largest city: Manchester)
 * Grafton (largest city: Lebanon)
 * Merrimack (largest city: Concord)
 * Strafford (largest city: Dover)
 * Sullivan (largest city: Claremont)