2002 United States Senate election in North Carolina

2002 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 1996 November 5, 2002 2008 →
 
Nominee Elizabeth Dole Erskine Bowles
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,248,664 1,047,983
Percentage 53.56% 44.96%

County results
Dole:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Bowles:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Jesse Helms
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Elizabeth Dole
Republican

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.