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.
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
Complete video of debate, October 14, 2002
Complete video of debate, October 19, 2002
Predictions
Polling
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) Martin (largest town: Williamston)
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) Pasquotank (largest municipality: BElizabeth CIty)