# 2002 Ohio gubernatorial election

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The 2002 Ohio gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican Governor of Ohio Bob Taft ran for re-election to a second and final term as governor, and he was opposed by Democratic nominee Tim Hagan, a former Cuyahoga County Commissioner. The race between Taft and Hagan was not competitive, and Taft was re-elected by a substantial margin, ensuring him a second term in office.
As of 2025, this was the last time that someone other than a current or former member of Congress was elected to the governorship.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Tim Hagan, former Cuyahoga County Commissioner and candidate for Cleveland Mayor in 1989

### Declined

* Sherrod Brown, U.S. Representative from Ohio's 13th congressional district since 1993, Ohio Secretary of State, 1983-1991
* Richard Celeste, U.S. Ambassador to India 1997–2001, former Governor of Ohio, 1983-1991
Sherrod Brown's district was seen as particularly vulnerable in redistricting, and many thought he would run for governor. But Brown ultimately would not pursue a race, and would go on to win in a redrawn 13th district. Tim Hagan, a former Cuyahoga County Commissioner had initially dithered on running, indicating a willingness to defer to a more prominent nominee should one emerge. As none emerged, Tim Hagan became the Democratic nominee.

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tim Hagan | 467,572 | 100.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 467,572 | 100.00 |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Bob Taft, incumbent Governor of Ohio

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bob Taft (incumbent) | 552,491 | 100.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 552,491 | 100.00 |

## General election

Taft was the favorite, and Hagan struggled with fundraising. Hagan, who was married to Star Trek actress Kate Mulgrew, held a fundraiser with her, William Shatner to raise money. Hagan still struggled, and had to pull TV ads, and focus on mail ads.

### Predictions

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

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Taft (R) | Tim Hagan (D) | Other / Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | October 29–31, 2002 | 725 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 57% | 39% | 3% |

### Results

Taft won reelection easily, winning by nearly 19.5% and by 628,083 votes. Taft did well in most parts of the state. Hagan only managed to win six out of 88 counties. Hagan won Lorain County, Cuyahoga County, Summit County, Trumbull County, Mahoning County, and Athens County. Despite winning in a landslide Taft would go on to be extremely unpopular in his second term, leaving office with a 2% approval rating, the lowest for any statewide official in modern U.S. history. In 2006 Democrat Ted Strickland would easily go on to defeat Republican Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. It resulted in a gain for the Democrats, and was the first time they had obtained the governorship in 16 years.
Ohio gubernatorial election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Bob Taft (incumbent) | 1,865,007 | 57.76% | +7.71% |
| | Democratic | Tim Hagan | 1,236,924 | 38.31% | −6.38% |
| | Independent | John Eastman | 126,686 | 3.92% | |
| | Write-ins | | 375 | 0.01% | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 628,083 | 19.45% | +14.09% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,228,992 | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | | |

#### Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

* Montgomery (largest city: Dayton)
* Monroe (largest city: Woodsfield)
* Portage (largest city: Kent)
* Lucas (Largest city: Toledo)
* Erie (largest city: Sandusky)
* Belmont (largest city: Martins Ferry)
* Jefferson (largest city: Steubenville)
* Tuscarawas (largest city: New Philadelphia)
* Harrison (Largest city: Cadiz)
* Perry (Largest city: New Lexington)
* Pike (Largest city: Waverly)
* Ross (Largest city: Chillicothe)
* Scioto (Largest city: Portsmouth)
* Vinton (Largest city: McArthur)