The 2002 Washington, D.C. mayoral election occurred on Tuesday November 5, 2002, with incumbent Democratic mayor Anthony A. Williams easily defeating Carol Schwartz, the Republican nominee. Both the Democratic primary and the Republican primary elections were held on September 10, 2002. Williams not only won the Democratic primary but also received the most voted in the Republican primary. Because Washington, D.C., law prevents a candidate from being nominated by more than one party, Carol Schwartz was chosen as the Republican nominee by local party leaders.