# 2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election

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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 2025, this is the last gubernatorial election in Wyoming to be decided by less than 20 percentage points.

## 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

Democratic primary results :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | 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 | 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 | Total votes | 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 | 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 | Majority | Majority | 3,789 | 2.04% | −13.10% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 185,459 | | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | 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)