2002 United States Senate election in South Dakota

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

2002 United States Senate election in South Dakota

November 5, 2002

Nominee Tim Johnson John Thune Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 167,481 166,957 Percentage 49.6% 49.5%

County results Johnson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Thune:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

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

Results

Democratic primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Tim Johnson (incumbent)	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]

Debates

• Complete video of debate, August 27, 2002
• Complete video of debate, October 7, 2002
• Complete video of debate, October 21, 2002
• Complete video of debate, October 24, 2002

Results

Johnson narrowly prevailed over Thune by a mere 524 votes. Despite the extremely close results, Thune did not contest the results and conceded defeat on the late afternoon of November 9. Johnson's narrow victory may be attributed to Minnehaha County home of Sioux Falls, and to Thune also underperforming in typically Republican areas. Johnson was sworn in for a second term on January 3, 2003. Thune was elected to the Senate in 2004, defeating incumbent minority leader Tom Daschle.

General election results[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Tim Johnson (incumbent)	167,481	49.62%	-1.70%
	Republican	John Thune	166,949	49.47%	+0.79%
	Libertarian	Kurt Evans	3,070	0.91%
Total votes			334,438	100.00%	N/A
	Democratic hold

See also

• 2002 United States Senate election

References

1. http://www.sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/pastelections_electioninfo02_statewideprimaryofficialret.shtm#US Sen-D
2. "Rothrock Library". Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
3. "Rothrock Library". Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
4. "Rothrock Library". Archived from the original on 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
5. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2002/2002Stat.htm#41