2002 United States Senate election in Georgia

The 2002 United States Senate election in Georgia took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Max Cleland ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Republican Saxby Chambliss.

2002 United States Senate election in Georgia
November 5, 2002
 
Nominee Saxby Chambliss Max Cleland
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,071,153 931,857
Percentage 52.8% 45.9%
County results
Chambliss:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Cleland:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
U.S. Senator before election

Max Cleland
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator

Saxby Chambliss
Republican

Elections in Georgia

This was the last midterm senate election in which an incumbent of the out-of-presidency party lost reelection until 2018.[1]

Major candidates

Democratic

Republican

Campaign

Chambliss's campaign used the refrain of national defense and security, but drew criticism for television ads that paired images of Cleland and Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, and for questioning the commitment to homeland security of his opponent, a triple amputee and decorated Vietnam veteran.[2][3] Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona said of one ad, "It's worse than disgraceful, it's reprehensible."[4] McCain, along with Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, made significant complaints to the Republican National Committee until the ads were taken down.[5]

Debates

Results
General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Saxby Chambliss 1,071,153 52.8%
Democratic Max Cleland (incumbent) 931,857 45.9%
Libertarian Claude Thomas 26,981 1.3%
Total votes 2,029,991 100.0%
Republican gain from Democratic

References
  1. Why The 2018 Senate Elections Are Looking Bad For Both Parties. FiveThirtyEight.
  2. Chambliss Ad (Cleland), YouTube, August 2, 2006
  3. Politico: Cleland ad causes trouble for Chambliss. November 12, 2008.
  4. The Atlantic: The Daily Dish: Quote for the Day. November 12, 2008.
  5. The Orlando Sentinel: Ex-senator Boosts Kerry, Battles Critics. June 13, 2004
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