The 2002 United States Senate election in Tennessee was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Fred Thompson decided to retire. Former Republican Governor Lamar Alexander won the open seat.
Bob Clement, U.S. Representative and candidate for Governor in 1978
Gary G. Davis, perennial candidate
Cher A. Hopkey
Michael L. Hampstead
Alvin M. Strauss
Results
General election
Campaign
Alexander raised $2 million through June 2002.[4] Clement attacked the Governor for his corporate connections and business dealings. By October, Clement had nearly raised $900,000, while Alexander raised almost $3 million.[5] Bush, who had a 60% approval rating in the state, helped campaign and raise money for Alexander.[6] Alexander was also endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund.[7]
Debates
Complete video of debate, September 30, 2002
Complete video of debate, October 6, 2002
Complete video of debate, October 13, 2002
Complete video of debate, October 20, 2002
Predictions
Polling
In a September poll from the Knoxville News Sentinel, Alexander was up 45% to 27%. In a DNSC poll during the same month, Alexander was up 49% to 42%. In a mid October Zogby poll had the governor leading 49% to 36%.[9]A late October WREG-TV poll had Alexander leading 45% to 36%.[10]
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
^Key: A – all adults RV – registered voters LV – likely voters V – unclear
References
^"Tennessee Voter Turnout in 2002". Tennessee Secretary of State. November 5, 2002. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
^"Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^"Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
