2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election

2002 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1998 November 5, 2002 2006 →
 
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

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.