Incumbent Democratic-Republican governor Joseph Bloomfield ran against Federalist nominee and former United States senator from New Jersey Richard Stockton in a rematch of the previous election.

But both received the same number of votes from the New Jersey General Assembly, resulting in a deadlocked election.

The legislature was unable to pick a winning candidate, and on 25 November 1802 the vice-president of the Legislative Council John Lambert was appointed as acting governor to serve out the one-year term.

[1] On election day, 28 October 1802, incumbent Democratic-Republican governor Joseph Bloomfield received the same number of votes from the New Jersey General Assembly as his opponent Federalist nominee Richard Stockton, resulting in a deadlocked election.

On 25 November 1802, it was decided to appoint the vice-president of the Legislative Council John Lambert as acting governor so he could serve out the one-year term, thereby retaining Democratic-Republican control over the office of governor.