2002 Tennessee Senate election

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For related races, see 2002 United States state legislative elections.
2002 Tennessee Senate election
← 2000 5 November 2002 2004 →
17 of the 33 seats in the Tennessee State Senate
17 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader John Shelton Wilder Ron Ramsey
Party Democratic Republican
Leader's seat 26th district 4th district
Seats before 18 15
Seats won 18 15
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 332,487 412,490
Percentage 44.04% 54.27%
Speaker before election

John Shelton Wilder
Democratic

Elected Speaker

John Shelton Wilder
Democratic

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The 2002 Tennessee State Senate election was held on Tuesday 5 November 2002 to determing which party would control the Tennessee Senate for the following two years in the 103rd Tennessee General Assembly. The seventeen odd-numbered districts of the 33 seat Tennessee Senate were up for election. Prior to the election 18 seats were held by Democrats and 15 were held by Republicans. Primary elections were held on 1 August 2002. The general election saw both parties holding on to the same amount of seats as the previous election, meaning that Democrats retained control of the Tennessee Senate.[1][2]

Retirements

[edit]

Two incumbent Republicans did not run for re-election in 2002. Those incumbents were:

  1. District 13: Gene Elsea retired.
  2. District 23: Marsha Blackburn retired to successfully run for the U.S. House of Representatives for Tennessee's 7th congressional district.

Incumbents defeated

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In the primary election

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Republicans

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  1. District 1: Tommy Haun (R) lost renomination to Steve Southerland.[3]

Democrats

[edit]
  1. District 17: Robert Rochelle (D) lost renomination to Sherry Fisher.[4]

In the general election

[edit]

Republicans

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  1. District 27: Bobby Carter (R) lost re-election to Don McLeary.

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
Cook Political Report[5] Lean D 4 October 2002

Results summary

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Party Candidates Votes Seats
No. % Before Up Won After +/–
Democratic 14 332,487 44.04% 18 7 7 18 Steady
Republican 14 412,490 54.27% 15 10 10 15 Steady
Independent 4 10,004 1.33% 0 0 0 0 Steady
Total 754,981 100.00% 33 33 Steady
Source: [1]
Popular vote
Republican
 
 54.27%
Democratic
 
 44.04%
Other
 
 1.33%
Senate seats
Democratic
 
 54.55%
Republican
 
 45.45%

Closest races

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Three races were decided by a margin of under 10%:

District Winner Margin
District 17 Republican (gain) 5.60%
District 13 Republican 8.42%
District 27 Democratic (gain) 8.76%

Results by district

[edit]
District Democratic Republican Others Total Result
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
District 1 – – 25,111 100.00% – – 25,111 100.00% Republican hold
District 3 8,129 19.30% 30,758 73.03% 3,232 7.67% 42,119 100.00% Republican hold
District 5 18,636 34.52% 35,345 65.48% – – 53,981 100.00% Republican hold
District 7 17,210 38.09% 26,812 59.34% 1,159 2.57% 45,181 100.00% Republican hold
District 9 17,282 39.75% 26,195 60.25% – – 43,477 100.00% Republican hold
District 11 – – 41,443 100.00% – – 41,443 100.00% Republican hold
District 13 22,769 45.79% 26,960 54.21% – – 49,729 100.00% Republican hold
District 15 30,942 58.11% 21,691 40.74% 614 1.15% 53,247 100.00% Democratic hold
District 17 25,592 47.20% 28,624 52.80% – – 54,216 100.00% Republican gain
District 19 27,872 100.00% – – – – 27,872 100.00% Democratic hold
District 21 32,708 63.42% 18,865 36.58% – – 51,573 100.00% Democratic hold
District 23 – – 55,870 100.00% – – 55,870 100.00% Republican hold
District 25 28,677 62.94% 16,887 37.06% – – 45,564 100.00% Democratic hold
District 27 27,706 54.62% 23,018 45.38% – – 50,724 100.00% Democratic gain
District 29 27,480 100.00% – – – – 27,480 100.00% Democratic hold
District 31 11,186 21.89% 34,911 68.32% 4,999 9.79% 51,096 100.00% Republican hold
District 33 36,298 100.00% – – – – 36,298 100.00% Democratic hold

Candidates and results

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District 1 • District 3 • District 5 • District 7 • District 9 • District 11 • District 13 • District 15 • District 17 • District 19 • District 21 • District 23 • District 25 • District 27 • District 29 • District 31 • District 33

District 1

[edit]

Republican primary

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Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Southerland 14,232 56.98%
Republican Tommy Haun (incumbent) 10,746 43.02%
Total votes 24,978 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 1st State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Southerland 25,111 100.00%
Total votes 25,111 100.00%
Republican hold

District 3

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rusty Crowe (incumbent) 14,153 60.57%
Republican Kevin D. Cole 9,212 39.43%
Total votes 23,365 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Dale Gabriel 3,656 100.00%
Total votes 3,656 100.00%

General election

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Tennessee's 3rd State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rusty Crowe (incumbent) 30,758 73.03%
Democratic Richard Dale Gabriel 8,129 19.30%
Independent Charlie Mattioli 3,232 7.67%
Total votes 42,119 100.00%
Republican hold

District 5

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Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Randy McNally (incumbent) 11,692 50.92%
Republican Lee Frank 11,271 49.08%
Total votes 22,963 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gary Farmer 11,591 100.00%
Total votes 11,591 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 5th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Randy McNally (incumbent) 35,345 65.48%
Democratic Gary Farmer 18,636 34.52%
Total votes 53,981 100.00%
Republican hold

District 7

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Burchett (incumbent) 13,250 100.00%
Total votes 13,250 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Owen 6,027 79.41%
Democratic Kendall Gene Wells 1,562 20.59%
Total votes 7,589 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 7th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Burchett (incumbent) 26,812 59.34%
Democratic Bill Owen 17,210 38.09%
Independent Joe Burchfield 1,159 2.57%
Total votes 45,181 100.00%
Republican hold

District 9

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Miller (incumbent) 9,953 48.85%
Republican Calvin Rockholt 6,950 34.11%
Republican Hal Y. Roe 3,470 17.04%
Total votes 20,373 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ronald D. Moore 5,655 66.60%
Democratic Charles S. Heron Jr. 2,836 33.40%
Total votes 8,491 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 9th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Miller (incumbent) 26,195 60.25%
Democratic Ronald D. Moore 17,282 39.75%
Total votes 43,477 100.00%
Republican hold

District 11

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Fowler (incumbent) 15,913 100.00%
Total votes 15,913 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 11th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Fowler (incumbent) 41,443 100.00%
Total votes 41,443 100.00%
Republican hold

District 13

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Ketron 6,811 53.54%
Republican Alan Pedigo 5,910 46.46%
Total votes 12,721 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bobby Sands 13,043 100.00%
Total votes 13,043 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 13th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Ketron 26,960 54.21%
Democratic Ronald D. Moore 22,769 45.79%
Total votes 49,729 100.00%
Republican hold

District 15

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Bailey 10,848 100.00%
Total votes 10,848 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charlotte Burks (incumbent) 23,614 100.00%
Total votes 23,614 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 15th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charlotte Burks (incumbent) 30,942 58.11%
Republican Paul Bailey 21,691 40.74%
Independent Robert E. Grubb 614 1.15%
Total votes 53,247 100.00%
Democratic hold

District 17

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mae Beavers 13,159 100.00%
Total votes 13,159 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sherry Fisher 9,883 58.56%
Democratic Robert Rochelle (incumbent) 6,993 41.44%
Total votes 16,876 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 17th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mae Beavers 28,624 52.80%
Democratic Sherry Fisher 25,592 47.20%
Total votes 54,216 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic

District 19

[edit]

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thelma Harper (incumbent) 14,798 100.00%
Total votes 14,798 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 19th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thelma Harper (incumbent) 27,872 100.00%
Total votes 27,872 100.00%
Democratic hold

District 21

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Alexander 9,138 100.00%
Total votes 9,138 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Douglas Henry (incumbent) 11,669 60.95%
Democratic Jeff Wilson 7,476 39.05%
Total votes 19,145 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 21st State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Douglas Henry (incumbent) 32,708 63.42%
Republican Tom Alexander 18,865 36.58%
Total votes 51,573 100.00%
Democratic hold

District 23

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Bryson 11,510 48.91%
Republican Clint Callicott 9,882 41.99%
Republican Laban Samuel Defriese 2,141 9.10%
Total votes 23,533 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 23rd State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Bryson 55,870 100.00%
Total votes 55,870 100.00%
Republican hold

District 25

[edit]

Republican primary

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Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James F. Brasfield 9,679 100.00%
Total votes 9,679 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Douglas S. Jackson (incumbent) 19,992 100.00%
Total votes 19,992 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 25th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Douglas S. Jackson (incumbent) 28,677 62.94%
Republican James F. Brasfield 16,887 37.06%
Total votes 45,564 100.00%
Democratic hold

District 27

[edit]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bobby Carter (incumbent) 12,389 100.00%
Total votes 12,389 100.00%

Democratic primary

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Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Don McLeary 9,088 52.50%
Democratic Alex J. Leech 6,801 39.29%
Democratic Harold T. Smith 1,422 8.21%
Total votes 17,311 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 27th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Don McLeary 27,706 54.62%
Republican Bobby Carter (incumbent) 23,018 45.38%
Total votes 50,724 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 29

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Democratic primary

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Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Ford (incumbent) 17,397 78.15%
Democratic Richard B. Fields 4,863 21.85%
Total votes 22,260 100.00%

General election

[edit]
Tennessee's 29th State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Ford (incumbent) 27,480 100.00%
Total votes 27,480 100.00%
Democratic hold

District 31

[edit]

Republican primary

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Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Curtis S. Person Jr. (incumbent) 24,739 100.00%
Total votes 24,739 100.00%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anthony D'Agostino 24,739 100.00%
Total votes 24,739 100.00%

General election

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Tennessee's 31st State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Curtis S. Person Jr. (incumbent) 34,911 68.32%
Democratic Anthony D'Agostino 11,186 21.89%
Independent Barbara Leding 4,999 9.79%
Total votes 51,096 100.00%
Republican hold

District 33

[edit]

Democratic primary

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Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roscoe Dixon (incumbent) 24,170 100.00%
Total votes 24,170 100.00%

General election

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Tennessee's 33rd State Senate District General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roscoe Dixon (incumbent) 36,298 100.00%
Total votes 36,298 100.00%
Democratic hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "General Election" (PDF). sharetngov.tnsosfiles.com. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  2. ^ "Tennessee State Senate elections, 2002". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Republican Primary" (PDF). sharetngov.tnsosfiles.com. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Democratic Primary" (PDF). sharetngov.tnsosfiles.com. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  5. ^ Jacobson, Louis (4 October 2002). "2002 State Legislature Ratings". The Cook Political Report: 149–150. doi:10.7910/DVN/EH6LU0. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020 – via Harvard Dataverse.