The election included: Democratic and Republican candidates were selected in party primaries held September 17, 2002.

He defeated perennial candidate Jack E. Robinson III in the general election.

Democratic incumbent John Kerry was re-elected over his Libertarian challenger Michael Cloud.

A law that would require that, with limited exceptions, all public-school children must be taught all subjects in English.

[11] The legislature had refused to fund the law, which prompted state courts to order the sale of a disused state hospital, state-owned automobiles, and desks and sofas in the offices of legislative leaders Thomas M. Finneran, Salvatore F. DiMasi, and Joseph F.