2002 Wisconsin Gubernatorial Election Results

Democratic Attorney General Jim Doyle Defeats Incumbent Republican Acting Governor Scott McCallum

Detailed Results by County

In the 2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election, Democratic state Attorney General Jim Doyle defeated acting Republican Governor Scott McCallum. The election was held on November 5, 2002, and Doyle won by a margin of 51.8% to 45.7%.

McCallum had been elevated to the governorship in 2001 after the previous governor, Tommy Thompson, resigned to become Secretary of Health and Human Services in the George W. Bush administration. McCallum was a relatively unknown figure in Wisconsin politics, and he faced an uphill battle against Doyle, a well-known and popular Democrat.

Doyle campaigned on a platform of economic development and education reform. He promised to create jobs, improve schools, and make healthcare more affordable. McCallum, on the other hand, campaigned on a platform of tax cuts and smaller government.

In the end, Doyle's message of hope and change resonated with Wisconsin voters. He won by a comfortable margin, and he went on to serve two terms as governor.

The 2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was a watershed moment in Wisconsin politics. It marked the end of the Republican dominance that had lasted for over a decade. It also marked the beginning of a new era of Democratic leadership in the state.