United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2002

United States Senate election in South Dakota, 2002

November 5, 2002

Nominee Tim Johnson John Thune Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 167,481 166,957 Percentage 49.62% 49.47%

County results

U.S. Senator before election Tim Johnson Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Tim Johnson Democratic

The 2002 United States Senate election in South Dakota was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Johnson won re-election to a second term by a margin of 524 votes.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Tim Johnson, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Herman Eilers

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Tim Johnson (inc.)	65,438	94.84
	Democratic	Herman Eilers	3,558	5.16
Total votes			68,996	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Kurt Evans (L), teacher
• Tim Johnson (D), incumbent U.S. Senator
• John Thune (R), U.S. Representative

Campaign

Thune, who was considered a rising star in his party, ran against Tim Johnson, who narrowly won his first senate election in 1996. Thune launched a television advertising campaign mentioning al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, contending that both are seeking nuclear weapons and that this country needs a missile defense system, something Johnson voted against 29 times and that Thune supports. The incumbent attacked Thune for politicizing national security.^[2] President George W. Bush campaigned for Thune in late October.^[3] More than $20 million was spent in the election. Both candidates had raised over $5 million each.^[4]

Results

General election results[5]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Tim Johnson (inc.)	167,481	49.62%	-1.70%
	Republican	John Thune	166,949	49.47%	+0.79%
	Libertarian	Kurt Evans	3,070	0.91%
Majority			532	0.15%	-2.49%
Turnout			334,438
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. http://www.sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/pastelections_electioninfo02_statewideprimaryofficialret.shtm#US Sen-D
2. Rothrock Library
3. Rothrock Library
4. Rothrock Library
5. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2002/2002Stat.htm#41