Bill Graves Republican Kathleen Sebelius Democratic The 2002 Kansas gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002.

Initially, Stovall was one of the presumed "front-runner" candidates, and her anticipated run against the probable Democratic nominee, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius, drew national attention as becoming possibly a rare "woman-vs.-woman" gubernatorial race.

[4][5] Though the front-runner among moderate candidates[6][7] — and confident that she would win if she stayed in the race[7] — Stovall dropped out in April, 2002, citing a lack of enthusiasm for campaigning, and for the job of governor,[7][8] and announced plans to marry Kansas media mogul Larry Steckline, whom she married in August.

[9][10] Stovall's abrupt withdrawal threw the moderate wing of the Kansas Republican Party into chaos, as they scrambled to replace her.

[11] Stovall's withdrawal was credited with giving advantage to the Democratic nominee (and ultimate victor), Katheleen Sebelius.