United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 5, 2002, in 36 states and two territories. The Republicans won eight seats previously held by the Democrats, as well as the seat previously held by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura, who was elected on the Reform Party ticket but had since renounced his party affiliation. The Democrats won 10 seats previously held by the Republicans, as well as the seat previously held by Maine governor Angus King, an independent. The elections were held concurrently with the other United States elections of 2002.
The 1998 Illinois gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1998. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Edgar did not run for a third term in office. Republican nominee George Ryan, the Illinois Secretary of State, narrowly won the election against Democratic Congressman Glenn Poshard.
The 1986 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1986. Republican candidate James R. Thompson won a fourth term in office, defeating the Illinois Solidarity Party nominee, former United States Senator Adlai Stevenson III, by around 400,000 votes.
The 1856 Illinois gubernatorial election was the eleventh election for this office. Democratic governor Joel Aldrich Matteson did not seek re-election. Former Democratic Congressman William Henry Bissell was nominated by the newly formed Republican Party at the Bloomington Convention. Former Whig Mayor of Chicago Buckner S. Morris was nominated on the Know-Nothing Party ticket.
The 1990 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1990 to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Illinois. The incumbent Governor Jim Thompson chose to retire instead of seeking reelection to a fifth term. The Republican nominee, Secretary of State Jim Edgar, narrowly defeated the Democratic nominee, Attorney General Neil Hartigan, by about 80,000 votes out of the over 3.2 million cast.
The 1868 Illinois gubernatorial election was the fourteenth election for this office. Republican nominee, John M. Palmer defeated the Democratic nominee John R. Eden.
The 1972 Illinois gubernatorial election was held in Illinois on November 7, 1972. Incumbent first-term Republican governor Richard B. Ogilvie lost reelection in an upset to the Democratic nominee, Dan Walker.
The 1974 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974, to elect a Governor of South Dakota. This election was the first in South Dakota to elect the governor for a four-year term, after it was allowed by a constitutional amendment passed in 1972. Democratic nominee and Governor Richard F. Kneip was re-elected, defeating Republican nominee John E. Olson. As of 2024, this is the last time that a Democrat was elected Governor of South Dakota, marking the start of the longest Republican winning streak in the country for a state's governorship, as well as the longest gubernatorial winning streak by a single party.
The 1968 Illinois gubernatorial election was held in Illinois on November 5, 1968. Democratic nominee, incumbent governor Samuel H. Shapiro, lost reelection to Republican nominee Richard B. Ogilvie, who was the president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and former sheriff of Cook County.
The 1916 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1916. Incumbent Democratic Governor Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne was defeated by Republican nominee Frank Orren Lowden.
The 1952 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1952.
The 1928 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1928. Incumbent two-term Republican Governor Len Small was defeated in the Republican primary. Republican nominee Louis Lincoln Emmerson defeated Democratic nominee Floyd E. Thompson with 56.76% of the vote.
The 1920 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1920.
The 1880 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1880.
The 1884 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1884.
The 1908 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1908. It saw the election of Republican nominee John G. Oglesby.
The 1912 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1912. Incumbent first-term Republican lieutenant governor John G. Oglesby was defeated by Democratic nominee Barratt O'Hara.
The 1924 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1924. Incumbent Republican Lieutenant Governor Fred E. Sterling won a landslide reelection.
The 1928 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1928. Incumbent Republican lieutenant governor Fred E. Sterling was reelected to a third consecutive term.
The 1932 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1932. It saw the election of Democrat Thomas Donavan, who defeated incumbent Republican lieutenant governor Fred E. Sterling.
