2002 gubernatorial campaign Ed Thompson

thompson became libertarian party nominee in april , ran against democrat jim doyle, state attorney general, , incumbent republican governor scott mccallum, former lieutenant governor had assumed office in 2001 after governor tommy thompson left become u.s. secretary of health , human services.

the 2002 governor s race considered have been negative campaign in state s history. in response thompson, publicly critical of negative campaigning of both major party candidates, became more viable option voters, , garnered 10% of vote. doyle won election plurality of 45% of vote, becoming state s first democratic governor since anthony earl defeated in 1986. doyle sworn in on january 6, 2003 @ state capitol in madison.