Maine gubernatorial election, 2002

Maine gubernatorial election, 2002

November 5, 2002

Nominee John Baldacci Peter Cianchette Jonathan Carter Party Democratic Republican Green Popular vote 238,179 209,496 46,903 Percentage 47.15% 41.47% 9.28%

County Results

Governor before election Angus King Independent Elected Governor John Baldacci Democratic

The Maine gubernatorial election of 2002 took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Independent Governor Angus King was term limited, and unable to seek re-election. United States Congressman John Baldacci won the Democratic primary uncontested, while former State Representative Peter Cianchette emerged from the Republican primary victorious. Baldacci and Cianchetti squared off in the general election, joined by Jonathan Carter, the Green Party nominee, and independent State Representative John Michael. Ultimately, Baldacci prevailed over Cianchette to win what would be his first of two terms as Governor, with Carter taking an unusually high amount of the vote for a third party candidate.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Baldacci, United States Congressman from Maine's 2nd congressional district

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Baldacci	71,735	100.00
Total votes			71,735	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Peter Cianchette, former Maine State Representative
• James D. Libby, former Maine State Senator

Results

Republican primary results[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Peter E. Cianchette	52,692	66.88
	Republican	James D. Libby	26,091	33.12
Total votes			78,783	100.00

Green Party primary

Candidates

• Jonathan Carter, 1994 Maine Green Independent Party nominee for Governor
• Steven Farsaci, Minister from Farmington dropped out of the race after failing to collect the mandatory 2,000 Green Independent signatures.^[3]

Results

Green Party primary results[4]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Green	Jonathan Carter	1,613	100.00
Total votes			1,613	100.00

General election

Candidates

• John Baldacci, United States Congressman from Maine's 2nd congressional district (D)
• Peter Cianchette, former Maine State Representative (R)
• Jonathan Carter, 1994 Green Party gubernatorial nominee (G)
• John Michael, Maine State Representative (I)

Results

Maine gubernatorial election, 2002[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Baldacci	238,179	47.15%	+35.37%
	Republican	Peter Cianchette	209,496	41.47%	+22.89%
	Green	Jonathan Carter	46,903	9.28%	+2.59%
	Independent	John Michael	10,612	2.10%
Majority			28,683	5.68%	-33.26%
Turnout			505,190
	Democratic gain from Independent		Swing

References

1. http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2002g/gen02gv.htm
2. http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2002p/pri02gr.htm
3. Higgins, A.J. (March 15, 2002). "Farsaci drops out of race after petition drive fails". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
4. http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2002p/pri02gg.htm