2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election

2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election

← 1998 November 5, 2002 2006 →
 
Nominee Linda Lingle Mazie Hirono
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Duke Aiona Matt Matsunaga
Popular vote 197,009 179,647
Percentage 51.56% 47.01%

County results
Lingle:      50–60%
Hirono:      50–60%

Governor before election

Ben Cayetano
Democratic

Elected Governor

Linda Lingle
Republican

The 2002 Hawaii gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002, to select the governor of Hawaii. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Hawaii Ben Cayetano was term-limited and therefore could not run for re-election. Former Maui Mayor Linda Lingle, who had narrowly lost the 1998 election, was nominated once again by the Republicans while Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono earned the Democratic nomination in a tight race. Lingle and Hirono duked it out in a hard-fought campaign, with Hirono's campaign crippled by allegations of corruption within the Hawaii Democratic Party and many voters desiring a change.[1] Ultimately Lingle defeated Hirono in a close election, making her the first Republican governor of Hawaii elected since 1959 and the state's first-ever female governor. She was the first white person to be elected governor of the state since 1970. Lingle and Hirono faced off again in Hawaii's 2012 U.S. Senate election; Hirono won that race and thus became the first female U.S. senator in Hawaii history.

  1. ^ Broder, John M. (October 19, 2002). "THE 2002 CAMPAIGN: THE DEMOCRATS; Hawaii Democrats Reeling After Scandals and a Death". The New York Times. Retrieved August 21, 2019.