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 County results Huckabee: 50–60% 60–70% Fisher: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The2002 Arkansas gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002, for the post ofGovernor of Arkansas. IncumbentRepublican governorMike Huckabee defeatedDemocraticState TreasurerJimmie Lou Fisher to win a second full term in office, despite losing 26 counties he won in 1998.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jimmie Lou Fisher | 176,126 | 63.11 | |
| Democratic | Joe Holmes | 77,516 | 27.77 | |
| Democratic | Jim Billie | 25,455 | 9.12 | |
| Total votes | 279,097 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Huckabee (incumbent) | 78,803 | 85.44 | |
| Republican | Doyle Cannady | 13,434 | 14.56 | |
| Total votes | 92,237 | 100.00 | ||
At the start of the election campaign Huckabee was expected to win the election easily with apoll in July showing him 16% ahead.[2][3] Fisher began the campaign by unveiling plans on issues such asprescription drugs,education anddomestic violence.[3] She also attacked Huckabee for mismanagement and likened him to adictator for his response to criticism overcost overruns in a new computer system.[4][5]
Huckabee's record as governor became an issue in the election with Fisher's campaign attacking Huckabee for grantingclemency to violent criminals, including a rapist.[5] However Huckabee responded that he had signed moredeath warrants and executed more people than any other governor of Arkansas.[6] Huckabee called on voters to support him due to the progress in education, health care and the economy during his period as governor.[7] Huckabee also criticised Fisher for receiving help from former governorBill Clinton, describing him as having had his turn.[8]
Huckabee's lead in the polls declined as the election neared, with a poll in September showing him with a 12% lead and one in mid-October showing him 10% ahead.[3][7] Near the end of October a poll showed Huckabee only 2% ahead of Fisher.[5] Huckabee's campaign was hurt by his wife's struggling campaign to become Arkansas secretary of state; voters were concerned over the couple holding too much power, with polls showing Janet Huckabee over 20% behind.[5] In late October a fundraising letter from Huckabee's campaign described it as in crisis.[5] Huckabee was also sued by his daughterSarah in his role as governor in a lawsuit he wanted to lose. This came after astate court ordered that students should be removed from the voting rolls inArkadelphia. Huckabee suggested his daughter join a federal lawsuit which succeeded in getting the students restored.[9]
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[10] | Tossup | October 31, 2002 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[11] | Lean R | November 4, 2002 |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Huckabee (incumbent) | 427,082 | 53.02% | −6.75% | |
| Democratic | Jimmie Lou Fisher | 378,250 | 46.96% | +8.30% | |
| Write-in | 210 | 0.03% | N/A | ||
| Majority | 48,832 | 6.06% | −15.05% | ||
| Turnout | 805,542 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Republicanhold | |||||
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