2002 United States Senate election in Tennessee

Background

In early 2002, Republican Senator Fred Thompson announced that he would not seek re-election to the United States Senate, reversing earlier indications that he intended to run for a second full term. His retirement created an open-seat contest in a state that had trended Republican in recent federal elections, contributing to increased attention on the race within Tennessee.

The open seat drew involvement from both state and national party organizations. Lamar Alexander, a former Governor of Tennessee and United States Secretary of Education, entered the race and won the Republican nomination. His prior statewide service and fundraising totals placed him in a strong position heading into the general election. President George W. Bush, who had a 60% approval rating in the state, participated in campaign events for Alexander, including fundraising and public appearances in Tennessee during the general election.

Bob Clement, a member of the United States House of Representatives and the son of former Tennessee governor Frank G. Clement, won the Democratic nomination.

Alexander raised $2 million through June 2002. 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. Alexander was also endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund.

Republican primary

Campaign

The Republican primary between former Governor Lamar Alexander and U.S. Representative Ed Bryant involved competitive campaigning and ideological differences that drew attention within the state. Bryant positioned himself as the more conservative candidate, running television advertisements criticizing Alexander's record and emphasizing his own conservative credentials. Alexander's campaign responded by highlighting his prior experience in statewide and national office. Observers noted that the tone of the advertisements and the exchanges between the campaigns reflected the ongoing battle between moderate and conservative factions of the Tennessee Republican Party during the primary.

Political scientists later observed that although Bryant’s campaign framed the race around conservative principles, he was unable to consolidate the state’s religious right base behind his candidacy, contributing to Alexander’s victory in the primary.

Candidates

• Lamar Alexander, former U.S. Secretary of Education, former Governor of Tennessee
• Ed Bryant, U.S. Representative
• Mary Taylor-Shelby, perennial candidate
• June Griffin, activist
• Michael Brent Todd
• James E. DuBose
• Christopher G. Fenner

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• 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

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%. A late October WREG-TV poll had Alexander leading 45% to 36%.

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Bedford (Largest city: Shelbyville)
• Campbell (Largest city: LaFollette)
• Cannon (Largest town: Woodbury)
• Clay (Largest city: Celina)
• Crockett (Largest city: Bells)
• Davidson (Largest city: Nashville)
• Dickson (Largest city: Dickson)
• Franklin (Largest city: Winchester)
• Giles (Largest city: Pulaski)
• Henry (Largest city: Paris)
• Lewis (Largest city: Hohenwald)
• Macon (Largest city: Lafayette)
• Marion (Largest town: Jasper)
• Marshall (Largest city: Lewisburg)
• Morgan (Largest community: Coalfield)
• Obion (Largest city: Union City)
• Robertson (Largest city: Springfield)
• Sequatchie (Largest city: Dunlap)
• Stewart (Largest city: Dover)
• Warren (Largest city: McMinnville)
• Weakley (Largest city: Martin)
• White (Largest city: Sparta)

Notes

References

References

1. (November 5, 2002). "Tennessee Voter Turnout in 2002". Tennessee Secretary of State.
2. "Government Publishing Office (Official Congressional Directory".
3. (June 28, 2002). "Tennessee battleground state for control of U.S. Senate, says Vanderbilt professor". Vanderbilt University.
4. (June 28, 2002). "Tennessee battleground state for control of U.S. Senate, says Vanderbilt professor". Vanderbilt University.
5. (March 2022)
6. (June 28, 2002). "Tennessee battleground state for control of U.S. Senate, says Vanderbilt professor". Vanderbilt University.
7. (March 2022)
8. (March 2022)
9. (March 2022)
10. (June 28, 2002). "Tennessee battleground state for control of U.S. Senate, says Vanderbilt professor". Vanderbilt University.
11. (June 28, 2002). "Tennessee battleground state for control of U.S. Senate, says Vanderbilt professor". Vanderbilt University.
12. "Archived copy".
13. "Archived copy".
14. (November 4, 2002). "Senate Races".
15. [https://www.surveyusa.com/2002Elec.html SurveyUSA]
16. (March 2022)
17. (March 2022)
18. "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".