2002 Ohio State Treasurer election

2002 Ohio State Treasurer election

←  1998 November 5, 2002 2006  →

Nominee Joe Deters Mary O. Boyle Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,666,844 1,459,113 Percentage 53.32% 46.68%

Deters:     50–60%     60–70%     70-80% Boyle:     50–60%     60–70%

State Treasurer before election Joe Deters Republican Elected State Treasurer Joe Deters Republican

The 2002 Ohio State Treasurer election was held on November 5, 2002, to elect the Ohio State Treasurer. Republican incumbent Treasurer Joe Deters defeated his Democratic opponent, former Ohio House Representative Mary O. Boyle, with 53.32% of the vote.

Deters would not serve a full second term as Treasurer as he would go on to resign in 2005 after winning election to Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joe Deters, incumbent Ohio State Treasurer (1999–2005)

Campaign

The Republican primary was held on May 7, 2002. Deters won renomination without opposition.

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joe Deters	504,334	100%
Total votes			504,334	100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Mary O. Boyle, former Ohio House Representative (1979–1984)
• Willis Blackshear, Montgomery County Recorder

Campaign

The Democratic primary was held on May 7, 2002. Boyle easily defeated Blackshear, her only opponent, in a landslide, winning 81.45% of the vote.

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mary O. Boyle	386,029	81.45%
	Democratic	Willis Blackshear	87,928	18.55%
Total votes			473,957	100.0%

General election

Candidates

• Joe Deters, incumbent Ohio State Treasurer (1999–2005) (Republican)
• Mary O. Boyle, former Ohio House Representative (1979–1984) (Democratic)
• Robert Martin (Write-in)

Results

2002 State Treasurer election results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Joe Deters	1,666,844	53.32%	−0.54%
	Democratic	Mary O. Boyle	1,459,113	46.68%	+0.54%
	Write-in	Robert Martin	108	0.00%	N/A
Total votes			3,126,065	100.0%
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. "Republican Statewide Offices: Treasurer of State, Justices of the Ohio Supreme Court - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
2. "Democratic Statewide Offices: Treasurer of State, Justices of the Ohio Supreme Court - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
3. "Secretary of State/Treasurer of State - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved October 18, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites (archived)

• Joe Deters (R) for Ohio State Treasurer
• Mary O. Boyle (D) for Ohio State Treasurer