2002 United States Senate election in North Carolina
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 County results Dole: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Bowles: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in North Carolina |
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The 2002 United States Senate election in North Carolina was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Jesse Helms announced on August 2001 that he would retire due to health issues. Republican Elizabeth Dole won the open seat, becoming the first non-incumbent elected Republican Senator in the state's history. This was the 1st open seat election since 1974.
Democratic primary
During the primary campaign, Bowles was considered the choice of the party establishment, receiving support from former Governor Jim Hunt and the AFL-CIO.[1]
Candidates
- Dan Blue, State Representative
- Erskine Bowles, former White House Chief of Staff
- Cynthia D. Brown, Durham City Councilwoman
- Elaine Marshall, Secretary of State of North Carolina
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Erskine Bowles | 277,329 | 43.4% | |
| Democratic | Dan Blue | 184,216 | 28.8% | |
| Democratic | Elaine Marshall | 97,392 | 15.2% | |
| Democratic | Cynthia D. Brown | 27,799 | 4.4% | |
| Democratic | Others | 52,289 | 8.2% | |
| Total votes | 639,025 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
Dole was described as the "handpicked" choice of the White House, and received the support of President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as outgoing Senator Jesse Helms.[1]
Candidates
- Elizabeth Dole, former United States Secretary of Labor, former United States Secretary of Transportation, former Assistant to the President for Public Liaison, and wife of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole
- James Snyder Jr., former state representative
- Jim Parker, physician[3]
- Ada Fisher, physician and activist
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Elizabeth Dole | 342,631 | 80.4% | |
| Republican | James Snyder Jr. | 60,477 | 14.2% | |
| Republican | Jim Parker | 8,752 | 2.1% | |
| Republican | Ada Fisher | 6,045 | 1.4% | |
| Republican | Others | 8,201 | 1.9% | |
| Total votes | 426,106 | 100.0% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Erskine Bowles (D), former White House Chief of Staff
- Elizabeth Dole (R), former United States Secretary of Labor, United States Secretary of Transportation, Assistant to the President for Public Liaison, and wife of U.S. Senator Bob Dole
- Sean Haugh (L)
Debates
- Complete video of debate, October 14, 2002
- Complete video of debate, October 19, 2002
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] | Lean R | November 4, 2002 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Elizabeth Dole (R) |
Erskine Bowles (D) |
Other / Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA | October 28–30, 2002 | 611 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 50% | 46% | 4% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Elizabeth Dole | 1,248,664 | 53.56% | +0.92% | |
| Democratic | Erskine Bowles | 1,047,983 | 44.96% | −0.96% | |
| Libertarian | Sean Haugh | 33,807 | 1.45% | +0.46% | |
| Write-in | 727 | 0.03% | +0.02% | ||
| Total votes | 2,331,181 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
See also
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
- ^ a b Broder, David (September 9, 2002). "N.C.'s Democratic Senate Primary Still Open to Upset". Washington Post.
- ^ State Board of Elections[permanent dead link]
- ^ Writer, TAFT WIREBACK Staff. "CANDIDATE FAULTS DOLE, GOP\ JIM PARKER SAYS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE DOLE CAMPAIGN AREN'T PLAYING FAIR". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ State Board of Elections[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Senate Races". www.centerforpolitics.org. November 4, 2002. Archived from the original on November 18, 2002. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ State Board of Elections
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