2002 Minnesota State Auditor election

The 2002 Minnesota State Auditor election was held on 5 November 2002 in order to elect the State Auditor of Minnesota. Republican nominee Patricia Anderson defeated Democratic–Farmer–Labor nominee and incumbent State Treasurer Carol C. Johnson, Independence nominee Dave Hutcheson and Green nominee Dave Berger.^[1]

2002 Minnesota State Auditor election

← 1998 5 November 2002 2006 →

Nominee Patricia Anderson Carol C. Johnson Dave Hutcheson Party Republican Democratic (DFL) Independence Popular vote 956,104 941,129 164,532 Percentage 44.63% 43.93% 7.68%

County results Anderson:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70% Johnson:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

State Auditor before election Judi Dutcher Democratic (DFL) Elected State Auditor Patricia Anderson Republican

As of 2025, this is the last time a Republican was elected Minnesota State Auditor.

General election

On election day, 5 November 2002, Republican nominee Patricia Anderson won the election by a margin of 14,975 votes against her foremost opponent Democratic–Farmer–Labor nominee Carol C. Johnson, thereby gaining Republican control over the office of state auditor. Anderson was sworn in as the 17th state auditor of Minnesota on 3 January 2003.^[2]

Results

Minnesota State Auditor election, 2002

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Patricia Anderson	956,104	44.63
	Democratic (DFL)	Carol C. Johnson	941,129	43.93
	Independence	Dave Hutcheson	164,532	7.68
	Green	Dave Berger	78,611	3.67
	Write-in		1,881	0.10
Total votes			2,142,257	100.00
	Republican gain from Democratic (DFL)