| Election Name: | 2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election |
| Country: | New Hampshire |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2000 New Hampshire gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 2000 |
| Next Election: | 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 2004 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 2002 |
| Image1: | File:Gov Craig Benson on 9-11-04.JPG |
| Nominee1: | Craig Benson |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 259,663 |
| Percentage1: | 58.7% |
| Nominee2: | Mark Fernald |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 169,277 |
| Percentage2: | 38.2% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Jeanne Shaheen |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Craig Benson |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 2002 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002. Three-term incumbent Democratic Governor Jeanne Shaheen opted to unsuccessfully run for the United States Senate rather than seek a fourth term as governor. Republican Craig Benson, a self-funded businessman, defeated Democrat Mark Fernald, a state senator, in the general election after both won contested primary elections.
This was the only time a Republican was elected governor between 1994 and 2016.
| Source | Ranking | As of | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[1] | October 31, 2002 | ||
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | November 4, 2002 |