2002 Georgia gubernatorial election
The 2002 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic Governor Roy Barnes sought re-election to a second term as governor. State Senator Sonny Perdue emerged as the Republican nominee from a crowded and hotly contested primary, and he faced off against Barnes, who had faced no opponents in his primary election, in the general election. Though Barnes had been nicknamed "King Roy" due to his unique ability to get his legislative priorities passed, he faced a backlash among Georgia voters due to his proposal to change the state flag from its Confederate design. Ultimately, Perdue was able to defeat incumbent Governor Barnes and became the first Republican to serve as governor of the state since Reconstruction. The result was widely considered a major upset.[1]
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County results Perdue: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Barnes: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Tie | |||||||||||||||||
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Elections in Georgia | ||||||||
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Democratic primary
Candidates
- Roy Barnes, incumbent Governor of Georgia
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Roy Barnes (incumbent) | 434,892 | 100.00 | |
Total votes | 434,892 | 100.00 |
Republican primary
Candidates
- Sonny Perdue, Georgia state senator
- Linda Schrenko, Georgia school superintendent
- Bill Byrne, chairman of the Cobb County Commission
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Sonny Perdue | 259,966 | 50.83 | |
Republican | Linda Schrenko | 142,911 | 27.94 | |
Republican | Bill Byrne | 108,586 | 21.23 | |
Total votes | 511,463 | 100.00 |
General election
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
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Republican | Sonny Perdue | 1,041,677 | 51.42% | +7.34% | |
Democratic | Roy Barnes (incumbent) | 937,062 | 46.25% | -6.24% | |
Libertarian | Garrett Michael Hayes | 47,122 | 2.33% | -1.11% | |
Total votes | 2,025,861 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |