2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia

The 2002 House elections in Georgia occurred on November 5, 2002 to elect the members of the State of Georgia's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Georgia has thirteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census.

2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia

← 2000 November 5, 2002 (2002-11-05) 2004 →

All 13 Georgia seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 8 3
Seats won 8 5
Seat change Steady Increase 2
Popular vote 1,104,622 814,295
Percentage 57.56% 42.44%
Swing Decrease 4.44% Increase 4.44%

These elections were held concurrently with the United States Senate elections of 2002 (including one in Georgia), the United States House elections in other states, and various state and local elections.

Georgia gained two House seats after the 2000 census, but the Democratic-controlled Georgia General Assembly wanted to see more Democrats in the congressional delegation. They produced a map that was designed to elect seven Democrats and six Republicans; the delegation at the time consisted of eight Republicans and three Democrats. Notable differences between the new Congressional districts that were drawn as compared with the previous ones that previously existed were: the Third district, the predecessor of modern Eighth district, was reconfigured to be more neutral than its previous incarnation; the districts of Incumbent Representatives John Linder (R) and Bob Barr (R) were combined into one district (this being the modern Seventh district); and the creation of the Twelfth and Thirteenth districts (each of which were designed to favor Democrats).

Overview

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United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia, 2002[1]
Party Votes Percentage Seats +/–
Republican 1,104,622 57.56% 8
Democratic 814,295 42.44% 5 +2
Totals 1,918,917 100.00% 13 +2

District 1

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2002 Georgia's 1st congressional district election
 
← 2000 November 5, 2002 2004 →
     
Nominee Jack Kingston Don Smart
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 103,661 40,026
Percentage 72.14% 27.86%

 
Precinct Results
Kingston:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%
Smart:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%

U.S. Representative before election

Jack Kingston
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Jack Kingston
Republican

 

Following redistricting as a result of the 2000 census, this district, based in southeastern Georgia, maintained its strongly conservative bent, pulling from the conservative suburbs of Savannah, the social conservatives along the coastline, and stretching into the highly conservative Warner Robins, where an air force base is located. Incumbent Republican Congressman Jack Kingston ran for a sixth term in Congress, and he won it by crushing Democratic nominee Don Smart in a landslide.

Georgia's 1st congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jack Kingston (inc.) 103,661 72.14
Democratic Don Smart 40,026 27.86
Total votes 143,687 100.00
Republican hold

District 2

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Incumbent Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop has represented this relatively liberal, southwestern Georgia district since his initial election in 1992. Pulling from Valdosta, Albany, Americus and some of Columbus, this district has a considerable African-American population, which contributed to the district's liberal bent and to Congressman Bishop's continual elections. Bishop won his sixth term in Congress without any opposition.

Georgia's 2nd congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sanford Bishop (inc.) 102,925 100.00
Total votes 102,925 100.00
Democratic hold

District 3

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2002 Georgia's 3rd congressional district election
 
← 2000
2004 →
     
Nominee Jim Marshall Calder Clay
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 75,394 73,866
Percentage 50.5% 49.5%

 
County results
Marshall:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%
Clay:      50–60%      60–70%

 
Results by precinct
Marshall:     50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%
Clay:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. Representative before election

Saxby Chambliss
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Jim Marshall
Democratic

 

When incumbent Republican Congressman Saxby Chambliss declined to seek another term in Congress to instead pursue a successful campaign for the Senate, an open seat was created. Democrat Jim Marshall, Chambliss's 2000 opponent and a former Mayor of Macon, emerged as the Democratic nominee and narrowly edged out Republican businessman Calder Clay to win his first term.

Georgia's 3rd congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Marshall 75,394 50.51
Republican Calder Clay 73,866 49.49
Total votes 149,260 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican

District 4

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2002 Georgia's 4th congressional district election
 
← 2000
2004 →
     
Nominee Denise Majette Cynthia Van Auken
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 118,045 35,202
Percentage 77.03% 22.97%

 
Results by precinct
Majette:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Van Auken:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. Representative before election

Cynthia McKinney
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Denise Majette
Democratic

 

While incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney opted to run for a sixth term in Congress, she was defeated in the Democratic primary by DeKalb County State Court Judge Denise Majette.[2] In this solidly liberal district based in Atlanta and the African-American-heavy suburbs in DeKalb County, the Democratic primary was tantamount to election. True to the district's leanings, Majette crushed Republican nominee Cynthia Van Auken in the general election.

Democratic Primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Denise Majette 68,612 58.3
Democratic Cynthia McKinney (incumbent) 49,058 41.7
Total votes 117,670 100.00
Georgia's 4th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Denise Majette 118,045 77.03
Republican Cynthia Van Auken 35,202 22.97
Total votes 153,247 100.00
Democratic hold

District 5

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Civil Rights Movement leader John Lewis has represented this staunchly liberal district since 1987. Congressman Lewis has not faced any remotely serious challenge in his career, seeing as the 5th district is rooted in the city of Atlanta. This year proved to be no different, and Lewis won a ninth term in Congress with no opposition.

Georgia's 5th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Lewis (inc.) 116,259 100.00
Total votes 116,259 100.00
Democratic hold

District 6

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2002 Georgia's 6th congressional district election
 
← 2000
2004 →
     
Nominee Johnny Isakson Jeff Weisberger
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 163,525 41,204
Percentage 79.87% 20.13%

 
Precinct Results
Isakson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Weisberger:      50–60%      60–70%
     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Johnny Isakson
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Johnny Isakson
Republican

 

Incumbent Republican Congressman Johnny Isakson, elected in a 1999 special election to replace the former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, sought his third term in this highly conservative district based in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. Congressman Isakson defeated Democratic nominee Jeff Weisberger in the general election.

Georgia's 6th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Johnny Isakson (inc.) 163,525 79.87
Democratic Jeff Weisberger 41,204 20.13
Total votes 204,729 100.00
Republican hold

District 7

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2002 Georgia's 7th congressional district election
 
← 2000
2004 →
     
Nominee John Linder Micheal Berlon
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 138,997 37,124
Percentage 78.92% 21.08%

 
Precinct Results
Linder:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. Representative before election

Bob Barr
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

John Linder
Republican

 

Incumbent Republican Congressman John Linder and Bob Barr were redistricted into the same district, a heavily-gerrymandered conservative district based in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. The district was numerically Barr's (the 7th), but was geographically more Linder's district. Linder easily defeated Barr in the Republican primary.[3] Linder has been an outspoken conservative during his time in Congress and was well known for being the main congressional sponsor of the FairTax. In 2002, Congressman Linder faced Democratic candidate Mike Berlon in the general election and defeated him in a landslide.

Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Linder (incumbent) 56,892 64.5
Republican Bob Barr (incumbent) 31,374 35.5
Total votes 88 266 100.00
Georgia's 7th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Linder (incumbent) 138,997 78.92
Democratic Michael Berlon 37,124 21.08
Total votes 176,121 100.00
Republican hold

District 8

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2002 Georgia's 8th congressional district election
 
← 2000
2004 →
     
Nominee Mac Collins Angelos Petrakopoulos
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 142,505 39,422
Percentage 78.43% 21.67%

 
Results by precinct
Collins:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Pertrakopoulos:      60–70%

U.S. Representative before election

Mac Collins
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Mac Collins
Republican

 

Five-term incumbent Republican Congressman Mac Collins ran for a sixth term in this gerrymandered, conservative district based in some of the southern and western suburbs of Atlanta and the rural communities of north-central Georgia. Congressman Collins faced computer consultant and Democratic nominee Angelos Petrakopoulos in the general election, which he won handily.

Georgia's 8th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mac Collins (inc.) 142,505 78.33
Democratic Angelos Petrakopoulos 39,422 21.67
Total votes 181,927 100.00
Republican hold

District 9

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2002 Georgia's 9th congressional district election
 
← 2000
2004 →
     
Nominee Charlie Norwood Barry Irwin
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 123,313 45,974
Percentage 72.84% 27.16%

 
Results by precinct
Norwood:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Irwin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. Representative before election

Charlie Norwood
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Charlie Norwood
Republican

 

In this heavily conservative district based in northeastern Georgia, the eastern exurbs of Atlanta and the northern suburbs Augusta, incumbent Republican Congressman Charlie Norwood sought a fifth term. Norwood was the heavy favorite in this district, one of the most conservative in the country, and easily trumped Democratic opponent Barry Irwin in the general election.

Georgia's 9th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charlie Norwood (inc.) 123,313 72.84
Democratic Barry Irwin 45,974 27.16
Total votes 169,287 100.00
Republican hold

District 10

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Incumbent Republican Congressman Nathan Deal was initially elected to Congress in 1992 as a Democrat, but switched to his current affiliation as a Republican in 1995 and has been re-elected without substantive opposition ever since. Deal represents a heavily conservative district that includes much of northwestern Georgia, the northern and eastern suburbs of Atlanta and the city of Gainesville. Congressman Deal was unopposed in the general election and thus won his sixth term without competition.

Georgia's 10th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Nathan Deal (inc.) 128,685 100.00
Total votes 167,925 100.00
Republican hold

District 11

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2002 Georgia's 11th congressional district election
 
← 2000
20004 →
     
Nominee Phil Gingrey Roger Kahn
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 69,261 64,923
Percentage 51.62% 48.38%

 
Results by precinct
Gingrey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Kahn:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

John Linder
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Phil Gingrey
Republican

 

This gerrymandered district that runs along much of Georgia's northern border with Alabama and includes liberal-leaning rural territory north of Atlanta overlaps with much of the former 7th district, represented by four term Republican incumbent Bob Barr. Barr opted to run for re-election in the new 7th district which contained a significant portion of his old base. Republican State Senator Phil Gingrey emerged victorious in the Republican Primary for this open seat election. Gingrey faced Democratic candidate Roger Kahn, a businessman, Barr's 2000 opponent, and a member of the Georgia State Elections Board. In a close election, Gingrey defeated Kahn and won his first term in Congress.

Georgia's 11th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Phil Gingrey 69,261 51.62
Democratic Roger Kahn 64,923 48.38
Total votes 134,184 100.00
Republican hold

District 12

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2002 Georgia's 12th congressional district election
 
2004 →
     
Nominee Max Burns Charles Walker, Jr.
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 77,479 62,904
Percentage 55.19% 44.81%

 
Results by precinct
Burns:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Walker:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. Representative before election

Vacant
(new district)

Elected U.S. Representative

Max Burns
Republican

 

This district, created as a result of Georgia's population growth, was drawn by the Democrats in the Georgia State Legislature to elect a Democrat; given the newly-drawn district's high African-American population and the fact that it would have voted for Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election, this was a realistic expectation. Max Burns, a professor at Georgia Southern University and a former Screven County Commissioner, emerged as the Republican nominee while Augusta businessman Charles "Champ" Walker, Jr., the son of powerful State Senator Charles Walker, became the Democratic nominee. This solidly Democratic district pulled from Savannah, Augusta, and Athens and was expected to elect Walker. However, when ethical problems emerged for Walker, he began losing ground and eventually lost to Burns by a solid margin.

Georgia's 12th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Max Burns 77,479 55.19
Democratic Charles Walker, Jr. 62,904 44.81
Total votes 140,383 100.00
Republican win (new seat)

District 13

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2002 Georgia's 13th congressional district election
 
2004 →
     
Nominee David Scott Clay Cox
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 70,011 47,405
Percentage 59.63% 40.37%

 
Results by precinct
Scott:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Cox:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
     No votes

U.S. Representative before election

Vacant
(new district)

Elected U.S. Representative

David Scott
Democratic

 

Created as a result of Georgia's population growth, this heavily-gerrymandered district surrounded Atlanta and pulled from heavily Democratic communities in the surrounding counties. State Senator David Scott became the Democratic nominee and faced off against Republican Clay Cox, whom he defeated by a fairly solid margin in the general election.

Georgia's 13th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Scott 70,011 59.63
Republican Clay Cox 47,405 40.37
Total votes 117,416 100.00
Democratic win (new seat)

References

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  1. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
  2. ^ "Georgia Election Results: Official Results of the August 20, 2002 Primary Election". August 27, 2002. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  3. ^ "Georgia Election Results: Official Results of the August 20, 2002 Primary Election". August 27, 2002. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.