This article does not cite any sources. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: – ···scholar·JSTOR(June 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The 2002 North Carolina Senate election was held on November 5, 2002 as part of the the General Assembly. All fifty seats in the North Carolina Senate were elected.
Luther Jordan (D-District 7) did not seek re-election after his district was merged with the 4th district to form the new 9th district
(D-District 9) did not seek re-election after his district was merged with the 6th district to form the new 9th District
Brad Miller (D-District 14) ran for the U.S House after his multi member district became a single member district (District 16)
Oscar Harris (D-District 15), did not seek reelection after his seat was merged with 11th district to form the new 12th District
Howard Lee (D-District 16) lost re-nomination to Eleanor Kinnaird after his multi-member district became a single member district (District 23)
Robert G. Shaw (R-District 19) lost re-nomination to Phil Berger after his seat was merged with the 12th district to form the new 26th district
Cal Cunningham (D-District 23) did not seek re-election after his district was merged with the 33rd district.
(R-District 27) lost re-nomination to Virginia Foxx after his seat merged with the 12th district to form the new 45th District
Detailed Results[]
Districts 1-25[]
District 1[]
Incumbent Democrat President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight has represented the 1st district since 1985.
North Carolina Senate 1st district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Marc Basnight (incumbent)
32,723
66.63%
Republican
Ron Toppin
16,392
33.37%
Total votes
49,115
100%
Democratichold
District 2[]
The new 2nd district overlaps with much of the former 3rd district. Incumbent Democrat Scott Thomas, who has represented the 3rd district since 2001, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 2nd district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Scott Thomas (incumbent)
26,011
51.69%
Republican
Chuck Tyson
24,310
48.31%
Total votes
50,321
100%
Democratichold
District 3[]
The new 3rd district includes the homes of incumbent Democrats , who has represented the 9th district since 1991, and , who has represented the 6th district since 1985. Neither sought re-election here and Democrat Clark Jenkins won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 3rd district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Clark Jenkins
26,444
66.69%
Republican
Don Carson
12,743
32.14%
Libertarian
Henry Boschen
464
1.17%
Total votes
39,651
100%
Democratichold
District 4[]
The new 4th district overlaps with much of the former 2nd district. Incumbent Democrat Frank Ballance, who has represented the 2nd district since 1989, ran for the U.S. House. Democrat Robert L. Holloman won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 4th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Robert L. Holloman
28,336
84.11%
Libertarian
Tom Eisenmenger
5,352
15.89%
Total votes
33,688
100%
Democratichold
District 5[]
The new 5th district is based in Wilson and Pitt counties and isn't a safe seat for either party. Democrat Tony Moore won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 5th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Tony Moore
22,265
50.86%
Republican
Tom Coulson
20,992
47.95%
Libertarian
Christopher Ruff
521
1.19%
Total votes
43,778
100%
Democraticwin (new seat)
District 6[]
The new 6th district is based in Jones and Onslow counties. Democrat Cecil Hargett won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 6th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Cecil Hargett
14,146
51.78%
Republican
Tommy Pollard, Jr.
13,175
48.22%
Total votes
27,321
100%
Democraticwin (new seat)
District 7[]
The new 7th district overlaps with much of the former 8th district. Incumbent Democrat John Kerr, who has represented the 8th district since 1993, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 7th district general election, 2002
The new 8th district overlaps with much of the former 18th district. Incumbent Democrat R. C. Soles Jr., who has represented the 18th district and its predecessors since 1977, was re-elected here.
North Carolina District 8th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
R. C. Soles Jr. (incumbent)
28,513
54.56%
Republican
Ray Gilbert
20,993
40.17%
Libertarian
Edward Gore
2,750
5.26%
Total votes
52,256
100%
Democratichold
District 9[]
The new 9th district overlaps with much of the former 4th district. Incumbent Republican Patrick Ballantine, who has represented the 4th district since 1995, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 9th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Patrick Ballantine (incumbent)
34,361
65.11%
Democratic
Laura Padgett
17,381
32.93%
Libertarian
Shaun Mitchell
1,033
1.96%
Total votes
52,775
100%
Republicanhold
District 10[]
The new 10th district overlaps with much of the former 5th district. Incumbent Democrat Charles Albertson, who has represented the 5th district since 1993, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 10th district general election, 2002
The new 11th district overlaps with much of the former 10th district. Incumbent Democrat A. B. Swindell, who has represented the 10th district since 2001, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 11th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
A. B. Swindell (incumbent)
26,471
60.13%
Republican
Willie Cooke
16,636
37.79%
Libertarian
Charles Yow
914
2.08%
Total votes
44,021
100%
Democratichold
District 12[]
The new 12th district includes the homes of incumbent Democrats Allen Wellons, who has represented the 11th district since 1997, and Oscar Harris, who has represented the 15th district since 1999. Wellons ran for re-election here but was defeated by Republican Fred Smith.
North Carolina Senate 12th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Fred Smith
26,225
57.67%
Democratic
Allen Wellons (incumbent)
19,253
42.33%
Total votes
45,478
100%
Republicangain from Democratic
District 13[]
The new 13th district overlaps with much of the former 30th district. Incumbent Democrat David Weinstein, who has represented the 30th district since 1997, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 13th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
David Weinstein (incumbent)
21,602
100%
Total votes
21,602
100%
Democratichold
District 14[]
The new 14th district is based in Wake County and has no incumbent. Democrat Vernon Malone won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 14th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Vernon Malone
28,469
64.55%
Republican
Carol Bennett
14,518
32.92%
Libertarian
Richard Davison
1,117
2.53%
Total votes
44,104
100%
Democraticwin (new seat)
District 15[]
The new 15th district overlaps with much of the former 36th district. Incumbent Republican John Carrington, who has represented the 15th district since 1995, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 15th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
John Carrington (incumbent)
36,177
57.08%
Democratic
Dorothy Gerry Bowles
25,581
40.36%
Libertarian
Nathan Wilson
1,626
2.57%
Total votes
63,384
100%
Republicanhold
District 16[]
The new 16th district overlaps with much of the former 14th district. Incumbent Democrats Eric Miller Reeves and Brad Miller have represented the 14th district since 1997. Miller ran for the U.S. House while Reeves was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 16th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Eric Miller Reeves (incumbent)
25,799
49.29%
Republican
Paul Coble
25,323
48.38%
Libertarian
Jason Mara
1,215
2.32%
Total votes
52,337
100%
Democratichold
District 17[]
The new 17th district is based in Southern Wake County and had no incumbent. Republican Richard Stevens won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 17th district general election, 2002
The new 18th district overlaps with much of the northern portion of the former 13th district. Incumbent Democrat Wib Gulley, who has represented the 13th district since 1993, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 18th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Wib Gulley (incumbent)
27,335
46.23%
Republican
Tom Davidson
19,706
40.53%
Libertarian
Mark Kitchens
1,576
3.24%
Total votes
48,617
100%
Democratichold
District 19[]
The new 19th district overlaps with much of the former 24th district. Incumbent Democrat Tony Rand, who has represented the 24th district since 1995, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 19th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Tony Rand (incumbent)
25,493
63.36%
Republican
Bob White
14,741
36.64%
Total votes
40,234
100%
Democratichold
District 20[]
The new 20th district (Based in Durham County) overlaps with much of the southern portion of the old 13th district. Incumbent Democrat Jeanne Hopkins Lucas, who has represented the 13th district since 1993, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate District 20th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Jeanne Hopkins Lucas (incumbent)
30,216
89.31%
Libertarian
Jonathan Guze
3,617
10.69%
Total votes
33,833
100%
Democratichold
District 21[]
The new 21st district overlaps with much of the former 41st district. Incumbent Democrat Larry Shaw, who has represented the 41st district since 1995, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 21st district general election, 2002
The new 22nd District includes all of Moore and Lee counties, as well as the western portion of Harnett County. Republican Harris Blake won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 22nd district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Harris Blake
24,975
54.43%
Democratic
Jimmy L. Love Sr.
20,072
43.74%
Libertarian
Jonathan Lubecky
840
1.83%
Total votes
45,887
100%
Republicanwin (new seat)
District 23[]
The new 23rd district overlaps with much of the former 16th district. Incumbent Democrats Eleanor Kinnaird and Howard Lee have both represented the 16th district since 1997. Kinnaird was re-elected here.
2002 North Carolina Senate 23rd district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Eleanor Kinnaird (incumbent)
37,481
65.74%
Republican
Peter Morcombe
17,686
31.02%
Libertarian
Christopher Todd Goss
1,847
3.24%
Total votes
57,014
100%
Democratichold
District 24[]
The new 24th district overlaps with much of the former 21st district. Incumbent Republican Hugh Webster, who has represented the 21st district since 1995, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 24th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Hugh Webster (incumbent)
23,685
57.79%
Democratic
Bill Powell
17,299
42.21%
Total votes
40,984
100%
Republicanhold
District 25[]
The new 25th district overlaps with much of the eastern portion of the former 17th district. Incumbent Democrat Bill Purcell, who has represented the 17th district since 1997, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 25th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Bill Purcell (incumbent)
24,178
57.63%
Republican
Donald M. Dawkins
17,778
42.37%
Total votes
41,956
100%
Democratichold
Districts 26-50[]
District 26[]
The new 26th District includes the homes of incumbent Republicans Phil Berger, who has represented the 12th district since 2001, and Robert G. Shaw, who has represented the 19th district since 1985. Berger was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 26th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Phil Berger (incumbent)
40,187
84.69%
Libertarian
Jim Capo
7,264
15.31%
Total votes
47,451
100%
Republicanhold
District 27[]
The new 27th district overlaps with much of the former 32nd district. Incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan, who has represented the 32nd district since 1999, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 27th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Kay Hagan (incumbent)
28,170
56.16%
Republican
Mark McDaniel
20,714
41.30%
Libertarian
Tom Bailey
1,272
2.54%
Total votes
50,156
100%
Democratichold
District 28[]
The new 28th district overlaps with much of the former 31st district. Incumbent Democrat , who has represented the 31st district since 1983 did not seek re-election. Democrat Katie Dorsett won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 28th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Katie Dorsett
26,395
64.01%
Republican
Mike Causey
14,139
34.29%
Libertarian
Eric Preston Medlock
702
1.70%
Total votes
41,236
100%
Democratichold
District 29[]
The new 29th district includes Randolph and Montgomery counties and had no incumbent. Republican Jerry Tillman won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 29th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Jerry Tillman
24,972
64.64%
Democratic
Mac Whatley
12,932
33.47%
Libertarian
Douglas Kania
728
1.88%
Total votes
38,632
100%
Republicanwin (new seat)
District 30[]
The new 30th district overlaps with much of the former 27th district. Incumbent Republican John Garwood, who has represented the 27th district since 1997, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 30th district general election, 2002
The new 31st district overlaps with parts of the former 20th district. Incumbent Republican Hamilton C. Horton, Jr., who has represented the 20th district since 1995, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 31st district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Hamilton C. Horton, Jr. (incumbent)
43,590
88.15%
Libertarian
Donn Linton
5,857
11.85%
Total votes
49,447
100%
Republicanhold
District 32[]
the new 32nd district overlaps with parts of the former 20th district. Incumbent Democrat Linda Garrou, who has represented the 20th district since 1999, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 32nd district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Linda Garrou (incumbent)
28,388
100%
Total votes
28,388
100%
Democratichold
District 33[]
The new 33rd district includes the homes of incumbent Democrat Cal Cunningham, who has represented the 23rd district since 2001, and incumbent Republican Stan Bingham, who has represented the 38th district since 2001. Cunningham did not seek re-election and Bingham was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 33rd district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Stan Bingham (incumbent)
39,932
100%
Total votes
39,932
100%
Republicanhold
District 34[]
The new 34th district includes all of Davie and Yadkin counties as well as most of Rowan County. Republican Andrew Brock won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 34th district general election, 2002
The new 35th district overlaps with much of the western portion of the old 17th district. Incumbent Democrat Aaron Plyler, who has represented the 17th district since 1983, did not seek re-election. Republican Fern Shubert won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 35th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Fern Shubert
33,822
66.68%
Democratic
Frank McGuirt
16,903
33.32%
Total votes
50,725
100%
Republicangain from Democratic
District 36[]
The new 36th district overlaps with much of the former 22nd district. Incumbent Republican Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr., who has represented the 22nd district since 1991, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 36th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr. (incumbent)
31,428
66.23%
Democratic
Larry Harris
13,363
28.16%
Libertarian
Mike Helms
2,664
5.61%
Total votes
47,455
100%
Republicanhold
District 37[]
The new 37th district overlaps with much of the former 40th district. Incumbent Democrat Dan Clodfelter, who has represented the 40th district since 1999, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 37th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Dan Clodfelter (incumbent)
23,003
100%
Total votes
23,003
100%
Democratichold
District 38[]
The new 38th district overlaps with much of the former 33rd district. Incumbent Democrat Charlie Dannelly, who has represented the 38th district since 1995, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 38th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Charlie Dannelly (incumbent)
26,569
100%
Total votes
26,569
100%
Democratichold
District 39[]
The new 39th district overlaps with much of the former 35th district. Incumbent Republican Bob Rucho, who has represented the 35th district since 1997, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 39th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Bob Rucho (incumbent)
37,700
65.15%
Democratic
Joe Spencer
18,244
31.53%
Libertarian
Heather Head
1,919
3.32%
Total votes
57,863
100%
Republicanhold
District 40[]
The new 40th district overlaps with much of the former 34th district. Incumbent Democrat , who has represented the 40th district since 1989, lost re-election here to Republican Robert Pittenger.
North Carolina Senate 40th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Robert Pittenger
29,979
54.55%
Democratic
(incumbent)
23,704
43.13%
Libertarian
Steven Wright
1,272
2.31%
Total votes
54,955
100%
Republicangain from Democratic
District 41[]
The new 41st district includes all of Alexander and Iredell counties and had no incumbent. Republican R. B. Sloan, Jr. won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 41st district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
R. B. Sloan, Jr.
30,338
68.02%
Democratic
Victor Crosby
14,261
31.98%
Total votes
44,599
100%
Republicanwin (new seat)
District 42[]
The new 42nd district overlaps with much of the former 39th district. Incumbent Republican James Forrester, who has represented the 39th district and its predecessors since 1991, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 42nd district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
James Forrester (incumbent)
36,478
100%
Total votes
36,478
100%
Republicanhold
District 43[]
The new 43rd district overlaps with much of the former 25th district. Incumbent Democrat David Hoyle, who has represented the 25th district since 1993, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 43rd district general election, 2002
The new 44th district overlaps with much of the former 26th district. Incumbent Republican Austin Allran, who has represented the 26th district since 1987, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 44th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Austin Allran (incumbent)
30,278
100%
Total votes
30,278
100%
Republicanhold
District 45[]
The new 45th District includes the homes of incumbent Republicans Virginia Foxx, who has represented the 12th district since 1995, and , who has represented the 27th district since 1997. Foxx was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 45th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Virginia Foxx (incumbent)
32,971
61.81%
Democratic
Mollie C. Laws
18,602
34.87%
Libertarian
Fran Grig
1,768
3.31%
Total votes
53,341
100%
Republicanhold
District 46[]
The new 46th district overlaps with much of the former 37th district. Incumbent Democrat Walter Dalton, who has represented the 37th district since 1997, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 46th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Walter Dalton (incumbent)
22,251
52.43%
Republican
John Weatherly
19,118
45.05%
Libertarian
Tony Brown
1,072
2.53%
Total votes
42,441
100%
Democratichold
District 47[]
The new 47th district includes all of Avery, Mitchell, McDowell, Yancey, and Madison counties as well as most of Haywood County. The district had no incumbent and Democrat Joe Sam Queen won the open seat.
2002 North Carolina Senate District 47th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Joe Sam Queen
25,022
49.05%
Republican
Gregg Thompson
24,375
47.78%
Libertarian
Sherry Hill
1,619
3.17%
Total votes
51,016
100%
Democraticwin (new seat)
District 48[]
The new 48th District includes all of Henderson and Polk counties as well as southwestern Buncombe County. The District includes the home of Incumbent Democrat Charles Newell Carter, who has represented the 28th district since 1999. Carter did not seek re-election and Republican Tom Apodaca won the open seat.
North Carolina Senate 48th district general election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Tom Apodaca
32,685
66.74%
Democratic
Robert Cogburn Burris
16,291
33.26%
Total votes
48,976
100%
Republicangain from Democratic
District 49[]
The new 49th district overlaps with much of the western portion of the old 28th district. Incumbent Democrat Steve Metcalf, who has represented the 28th district since 1999, was re-elected here.
North Carolina Senate 49th district general election, 2002
The new 50th district includes the homes of Incumbent Democrat Dan Robinson, who has represented the 29th district since 1999, and Incumbent Republican Robert C. Carpenter, who has represented the 42nd district since 1989. Carpenter defeated Robinson to win another term in the Senate.
North Carolina Senate 50th district general election, 2002
7
7