2002 United States Senate election in North Carolina

The 2002 United States Senate election in North Carolina was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Jesse Helms announced in August 2001 that he would retire due to health issues. Republican Elizabeth Dole won the open seat, becoming the first non-incumbent elected Republican Senator in the state's history. This was the first open seat election since 1974.

Democratic primary
During the primary campaign, Bowles was considered the choice of the party establishment, receiving support from former Governor Jim Hunt and the AFL-CIO.

Candidates

 * Dan Blue, State Representative
 * Erskine Bowles, former White House Chief of Staff
 * Cynthia D. Brown, Durham City Councilwoman
 * Elaine Marshall, Secretary of State of North Carolina

Republican primary
Dole was described as the "handpicked" choice of the White House, and received the support of President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as outgoing Senator Jesse Helms.

Candidates

 * Elizabeth Dole, former United States Secretary of Labor, former United States Secretary of Transportation, former Assistant to the President for Public Liaison, and wife of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole
 * James Snyder Jr., former state representative
 * Jim Parker, physician
 * Ada Fisher, physician and activist

Candidates

 * Erskine Bowles (D), former White House Chief of Staff
 * Elizabeth Dole (R), former United States Secretary of Labor, United States Secretary of Transportation, Assistant to the President for Public Liaison, and wife of U.S. Senator Bob Dole
 * Sean Haugh (L)

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

 * Wake (largest town: Raleigh)
 * Guilford (Largest city: Greensboro)
 * Mecklenburg (Largest city: Charlotte)
 * Buncombe (largest town: Asheville)
 * Watauga (largest municipality: Boone)
 * Martin (largest town: Williamston)

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

 * Perquimans (Largest city: Hertford)
 * Granville (largest city: Oxford)
 * Duplin (Largest city: Wallace)
 * Jones (Largest city: Maysville)
 * Madison (Largest city: Mars Hill)
 * Haywood (Largest city: Waynesville)
 * Yancey (largest municipality: Burnsville)
 * Pasquotank (largest municipality: BElizabeth CIty)