2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election

See also: 2002 United States gubernatorial elections

The 2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Geringer was term-limited and unable to seek a third term in office, thereby creating an open seat. Former U.S. Attorney Dave Freudenthal and former Wyoming House Speaker Eli Bebout both emerged from competitive Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively, and faced off against each other in the general election. Despite Wyoming's strong inclination to elect Republicans, a contentious race ensued, with Freudenthal ultimately defeating Bebout by fewer than 4,000 votes. As of 2024, this is the last gubernatorial election in Wyoming to be decided by less than 20 percentage points.

2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election

November 5, 2002

Nominee Dave Freudenthal Eli Bebout Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 92,662 88,873 Percentage 49.96% 47.92%

County results Freudenthal:      50–60%      60–70% Bebout:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Jim Geringer Republican Elected Governor Dave Freudenthal Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ken Casner
• Dave Freudenthal, former United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming
• Paul Hickey, attorney, former chairman of the Wyoming Pipeline Authority and son of former governor John J. Hickey
• Toby Simpson, construction worker

Results

Results by county:

  Freudenthal

•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%
•   80–90%

  Hickey

•   40–50%

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dave Freudenthal	19,732	53.62
	Democratic	Paul Hickey	13,793	37.48
	Democratic	Toby Simpson	1,918	5.21
	Democratic	Ken Casner	1,356	3.68
Total votes			36,799	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Eli Bebout, former Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives
• Ray Hunkins, attorney and rancher
• John H. Self
• Bill Sniffin, journalist and former Wyoming Travel Commissioner
• Stephen Watt, State Representative

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Eli Bebout	44,417	48.98
	Republican	Ray Hunkins	25,363	27.97
	Republican	Bill Sniffin	13,633	15.03
	Republican	Stephen Watt	5,724	6.31
	Republican	John H. Self	1,548	1.71
Total votes			90,685	100.00

General election

Predictions

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

Results

Wyoming gubernatorial election, 2002

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Dave Freudenthal	92,662	49.96%	+9.51%
	Republican	Eli Bebout	88,873	47.92%	−7.68%
	Libertarian	Dave Dawson	3,924	2.12%	−1.83%
Majority			3,789	2.04%	−13.10%
Turnout			185,459
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Hot Springs (Largest city: Thermopolis)
• Natrona (Largest city: Casper)
• Albany (Largest city: Laramie)
• Platte (Largest city: Wheatland)
• Teton (Largest city: Jackson)
• Laramie (Largest city: Cheyenne)