The 2002 United States Senate election in North Carolina was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Jesse Helms announced in August 2001 that he would retire due to health issues. Republican Elizabeth Dole won the open seat, becoming the first non-incumbent to capture a Senate seat for the Republican party in the state's history. This was the first open seat election since 1974 and the first time happened at this seat.
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.
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
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.
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 Ada Fisher, physician and activist
Results
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 + 2002 United States Senate election in North Carolina debates Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Elizabeth Dole Erskine Bowles1 Oct. 14, 2002 Meredith CollegeWRAL-TVWTVD-TV David CrabtreeLarry StognerC-SPANC-SPAN 2 Oct. 19, 2002 East Carolina UniversityWCTI-TVWNCT-TV Wes GoforthAlan HoffmanC-SPANC-SPAN
Predictions SourceRankingAs ofSabato's Crystal Ball November 4, 2002
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin ElizabethDole (R) ErskineBowles (D) Other /UndecidedSurveyUSASurveyUSA October 28–30, 2002 611 (LV) ± 4.0% 50% 46% 4%
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Wake (Largest town: Raleigh) Guilford (Largest city: Greensboro) Mecklenburg (Largest city: Charlotte) Buncombe (Largest town: Asheville) Watauga (Largest municipality: Boone)
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Perquimans (Largest city: Hertford) Granville (Largest city: Oxford) Duplin (Largest city: Wallace) Jones (Largest city: Maysville) Madison (Largest city: Mars Hill) Haywood (Largest city: Waynesville) Yancey (Largest municipality: Burnsville) Camden (Largest municipality: Elizabeth City) Martin (Largest town: Williamston)
See also 2002 United States Senate elections
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites (archived) Elizabeth Dole (R) for Senate Erskine Bowles (D) for Senate