Alaska gubernatorial election, 2002

The 2002 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on 5 November 2002 for the post of Governor of Alaska. Republican US Senator Frank Murkowski defeated Democratic Lieutenant Governor Fran Ulmer.

Primaries

Incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Knowles was term limited from running again. Lieutenant Governor Fran Ulmer easily won the Democratic primary on 27 August against outsiders Michael Beasley and Bruce Lemke, neither of whom did much campaigning. Meanwhile Senator Frank Murkowski also gained an easy win in the Republican primary.cite web| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2002-08-27-primaries_x.htm.stm | title = Largent wins GOP nod for Oklahoma governor | accessdate = 2008-07-19 | date = 2002-08-27| publisher = "USA Today"] cite web| url = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/79778_alaska24.shtml | title = Alaska candidate wants to pack her heat | accessdate = 2008-07-20 | date = 2002-07-24| publisher = "seattlepi.com"] cite web| url = http://alaskalegislature.com/stories/081202/demgovernor.shtml | title = Democrats for governor: Ulmer, Lemke and Beasley | accessdate = 2008-07-20 | date = 2002-08-12| publisher = "AlaskaLegislature.com"]

Campaign

Murkowski started the campaign as the clear favourite as Ulmer, despite being Lieutenant Governor, had a lot less name recognition.cite web| url = http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/22/elec02.ak.g/ | title = Alaska governor's race surprisingly close | accessdate = 2008-07-19 | date = 2002-10-22| publisher = "CNN"] Polls initially showed Ulmer about 20 percent behind Murkowski but as the campaign continued Ulmer closed on Murkowski in the polls by concentrating on local issues such as the state budget and by portraying herself as a moderate.cite web| url = http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/102102/ele_102102ele0020001.shtml | title = Ulmer chases odds to be first woman governor | accessdate = 2008-07-20 | date = 2002-10-21| publisher = "Kenai Peninsula Online"] By October polls showed the candidates about level with one poll on the 17 October showing Ulmer on 46% and Murkowski on 43%.cite web| url = http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/101702/ala_101702ala0080001.shtml | title = Poll shows Ulmer closed gap with Murkowski | accessdate = 2008-07-20 | date = 2002-10-17| publisher = "Kenai Peninsula Online"]

The biggest issue in the campaign was the economy and what to do about the projected budget shortfall in Alaska. The issue dominated the October debates between the two candidates in Fairbanks and Anchorage.cite web| url = http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/102302/ala_102302ala0110001.shtml | title = Murkowski and Ulmer face off in two debates in Fairbanks | accessdate = 2008-07-19 | date = 2002-10-23| publisher = "Kenai Peninsula Online"] Ulmer argued that the state should consider introducing a statewide tax for the first time since 1980 if the budget reserve fell too far and that state spending should be capped. However Murkowski opposed any new taxes and called his opponent pro-tax. He said that new oil prospects, high oil prices and revenues from other resources could close the gap in the budget.cite web| url = http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/102402/ala_102402ala0140001.shtml | title = Fiscal gap dominates Anchorage debate | accessdate = 2008-07-19 | date = 2002-10-24| publisher = "Kenai Peninsula Online"]

President George Bush made an advertisement to support Murkowski, who also received support from Republicans Gale Norton, Ted Stevens and Don Young.cite web| url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2002-11-06-murkowski_x.htm | title = Career politician to head home state | accessdate = 2008-07-20 | date = 2002-11-07| publisher = "USA Today"] Ulmer received support from former Republican Governor Jay Hammond, Governor Tony Knowles and called on voters to support her so that Murkowski could stay working as Senator for Alaska in Congress.cite web| url = http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/nov2002/nf2002111_6042.htm | title = Post Time in the Gubernatorial Stakes | accessdate = 2008-07-20 | date = 2002-11-01| publisher = "BusinessWeek"] During the campaign Murkowski refused to say who he would appoint to serve his remaining two years as Senator but after the election appointed his daughter Lisa Murkowski, majority leader in the Alaska House of Representatives, to the US Senate.cite web| url = http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/102202/ala_102202ala0030001.shtml | title = Stevens stumps for Murkowski in Fairbanks | accessdate = 2008-07-20 | date = 2002-10-22| publisher = "Kenai Peninsula Online"] cite web| url = http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/122002/ala_122002alapm0010001.shtml | title = Gov. Murkowski appoints daughter to fill Senate seat | accessdate = 2008-07-20 | date = 2002-12-20| publisher = "Kenai Peninsula Online"]

Election results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (US)
candidate = Frank Murkowski
votes = 129,279
percentage = 55.9
change = +38.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Fran Ulmer
votes = 94,216
percentage = 40.7
change = -10.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Green Party (United States)
candidate = Diane E. Benson
votes = 2,926
percentage = 1.3
change = -1.7Election box candidate with party link
party = Alaskan Independence Party
candidate = Don Wright
votes = 2,185
percentage = 0.9
change = +0.9Election box candidate
party = Republican Moderate Party of Alaska
candidate = Raymond VinZant
votes = 1,506
percentage = 0.7
change = -5.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Libertarian Party (United States)
candidate = Billy Toien
votes = 1,109
percentage = 0.5
change = +0.5Election box candidate
party = Write-ins
candidate =
votes = 263
percentage = 0.1
change = -19.7Election box majority
votes = 35,063
percentage = 15.2
change = Election box turnout
votes = 231,484
percentage = 50.5
change = +0.1Election box gain with party link
winner = Republican Party (US)
loser = Democratic Party (US)
swing =

References

ee also