Georgia gubernatorial election, 2002
Encyclopedia
The 2002 Georgia Gubernatorial Election was held on November 5, 2002. The primary election was held on August 20. Incumbent Roy Barnes
lost to Republican State Senator Sonny Perdue
, making Perdue the first Republican
Governor of Georgia
since the end of Reconstruction. Barnes was the first incumbent governor of the state to be defeated for re-election since state law changed in the 1970s to allow governors to succeed themselves.
In the same elections, Republicans also gained, for the first time, a majority in the Georgia State Senate due to four Democratic legislators' switching parties
following the elections.
in the November general election.
.
Roy Barnes
Roy Eugene Barnes served as the 80th Governor of Georgia from January 1999 until January 2003. Barnes was also a candidate for Governor of Georgia in the 2010 election....
lost to Republican State Senator Sonny Perdue
Sonny Perdue
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, was the 81st Governor of Georgia. Upon his inauguration in January 2003, he became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin F. Conley served during Reconstruction in the 1870s....
, making Perdue the first Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
since the end of Reconstruction. Barnes was the first incumbent governor of the state to be defeated for re-election since state law changed in the 1970s to allow governors to succeed themselves.
In the same elections, Republicans also gained, for the first time, a majority in the Georgia State Senate due to four Democratic legislators' switching parties
Party switching in the United States
In the United States politics, party switching is any change in party affiliation of a partisan public figure, usually one who is currently holding elected office...
following the elections.
Candidates
Republican Sonny Perdue faced incumbent Democrat Roy Barnes and Libertarian Garrett Michael HayesGarrett Michael Hayes
Garrett Michael Hayes is a U.S. politician from Georgia. He was the Libertarian Party of Georgia's candidate for governor in both 2002 and 2006.He was born in California to screenwriter John Michael Hayes and Mildred "Mel" Hayes...
in the November general election.
Republicans
- Linda SchrenkoLinda SchrenkoLinda Schrenko is a former superintendent of schools in the U.S. state of Georgia who was convicted on an embezzlement scheme and sentenced to 8 years in prison.- Biography :Schrenko was born on July 24, 1949, in Millen, Georgia...
—former Superintendent of Schools in Georgia - Bill Byrne—chairman, Cobb CountyCobb County, GeorgiaCobb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat and largest city is Marietta, which is located in the center of the county. The county was named for Thomas Willis Cobb, who in the early 19th century was a United States representative and senator from Georgia...
Commission
Republican Primary
Perdue defeated two other candidates in the Republican primaryPrimary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
.
| Candidate | # of votes | % of votes |
|---|---|---|
| Sonny Perdue Sonny Perdue George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, was the 81st Governor of Georgia. Upon his inauguration in January 2003, he became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin F. Conley served during Reconstruction in the 1870s.... |
259,966 | 50.83 |
| Linda Schrenko Linda Schrenko Linda Schrenko is a former superintendent of schools in the U.S. state of Georgia who was convicted on an embezzlement scheme and sentenced to 8 years in prison.- Biography :Schrenko was born on July 24, 1949, in Millen, Georgia... |
142,911 | 27.94 |
| Bill Byrne | 108,586 | 21.23 |
Election results
See also
- United States gubernatorial elections, 2002United States gubernatorial elections, 2002Although Republicans made some gains from Democrats, Democrats increased their overall number of governorships.-Democratic gains:* Arizona - State Attorney General Janet Napolitano won an open seat held by term-limited Gov. Jane Dee Hull...
- State of GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- Governors of Georgia