Republican presidential primary election, 2002 was a heated affair in which a dozen Republicans sought the chance to challenge Democrat President Josiah Bartlet.
Republican candidates
- Bill Daniel, Governor of Nebraska
- Dan Kalmbach, U.S. senator from Maryland
- Jack Moseley, U.S. senator from Colorado
- Robert O'Rourke, U.S. senator from Indiana
- Robert Ritchie, Governor of Florida
- Pete Ross, U.S. representative from California
- Jim Simon, U.S. senator from South Dakota
- Jack Stephens, Governor of New York
- John W. Wesley, evangelical minister from Mississippi
- Howard Westen, U.S. senator from Nevada
Early preperations
After retaining the House and Senate in the 2000 mid-term elections, and President Bartlet's revelation of his MS, Republicans saw a opportunity to regain the White House.
Simon and Moseley were considerd early front runners, with Stephens, Westen, Kalmbach, and Wesley being second-teer candidates with Ritchie, O'Rourke, Ross, and Daniel ranking in third.
Former Vice President David D. Eisenhower who had narrowly lost to Bartlet in 1998, had been expected to run but ultimatley decided aganist it and endorsed Jim Simon. Alabama Senator and 1998 Vice-presidential nominee Robert Bennett had also been expected to enter the race, but also declined.
Iowa Straw Poll
The 2001 Iowa Staw Poll was held in Ames in August 2001, and was considerd a crucial part of the primary process. Simon was the heavy favorite going into Ames. However, Ritchie, Wesley, and Moseley had made strong efforts to place in the straw poll.
Simon won the straw poll as expected but Ritchie pulled a great media upset in coming in second and as a result raised more than $3,000,000 in just five days after the straw poll.
Wesley also raised large amounts of money as a result of his suprise third place finish.
Moseley and O'Rourke were damaged by the results and Moseley withdrew from the race a week after the straw poll.
2001 Iowa Straw Poll Results
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Simon | 6,242 | 31.2 |
| Rob Ritchie | 4,983 | 24.9 |
| John Wesley | 3,546 | 15.2 |
| Jack Moseley | 2109 | 10.5 |
| Bill Daniel | 1623 | 8.1 |
| Dan Kalmbach | 926 | 4.6 |
| Robert O'Rourke | 707 | 3.5 |
| Pete Ross | 108 | 0.5 |
| Howard Westen | 101 | 0.5 |
| Jack Stephens | 71 | 0.4 |
| Total | 20,415 | 100.0% |