2002 Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial election

The Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial election of 2002 was held on November 5, 2002. In Pennsylvania, the Lieutenant Governor is elected on the same ticket as the Governor, so the only campaign for this office was the primary election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

John Lawless, State Representative
Thaddeus Kirkland, State Representative Catherine Baker Knoll, former State Treasurer
Allen Kukovich, State Senator
Ron Panza, Green Tree Borough Council President
Ed Truax
Jack Wagner, State Senator
Ron Williams
David Woodard

Catherine Baker Knoll won a narrow and surprising victory to become Rendell's running mate. Jack Wanger, a State Senator from Pittsburgh, was the choice candidate of the party establishment. However, Allen Kukovich, a fellow senator from a Pittsburgh exurb, launched a vocal challenge to Wagner, that opened an ideological split within the party. Wagner ran as a traditional moderate with strong union ties, while Kukovich portrayed himself as a liberal. Knoll, a long time fixture in state politics, took advantage of the split and, using her strong support among women and senior citizens, scored an upset win.

Republican primary

Jane Earll, a State Senator from Erie was unopposed for the Republican nomination and thus became Fisher's running mate.