Jane Dee Hull Republican Janet Napolitano Democratic The 2002 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2002.
Incumbent Republican governor Jane Dee Hull was term-limited.
The Democratic nominee, Arizona Attorney General Janet Napolitano, narrowly defeated Republican Matt Salmon, a former U.S. Representative.
Salmon acknowledged that the chance of his prevailing in a recount was extremely small and decided not to ask for one (recounts seldom see a swing over 1,000 votes;[citation needed] he was losing by over 10,000).
On November 20, Arizona Secretary of State Betsey Bayless certified the results of the election and declared Napolitano the governor-elect.