The 2002 United States Senate election in Georgia took place on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Max Cleland ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Republican Saxby Chambliss by nearly a 7 point margin, becoming the first Republican to ever win the state’s Class 2 Senate seat.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

2002 United States Senate election in Georgia

← 1996 November 5, 2002 2008 →

Nominee Saxby Chambliss Max Cleland Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,071,153 931,857 Percentage 52.77% 45.90%

County results Precinct results Chambliss:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Cleland:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40–50%      50%      No data

U.S. Senator before election Max Cleland Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss Republican

Close

This was the last midterm senate election in which an incumbent of the out-of-presidency party lost reelection until 2018.^[1]

Max Cleland, the incumbent U.S. Senator, won renomination unopposed.^[2]

Three candidates ran in the primary:^[3]

• Saxby Chambliss, U.S. Representative from Moultrie
• Bob Irvin, State Representative from Fulton County
• Robert Brown, a rancher from Yatesville

Chambliss won easily, carrying nearly every county.

Chambliss's campaign used the refrain of national defense and security, but drew criticism for television ads that paired images of Cleland and Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, and for questioning the commitment to homeland security of his opponent, a triple amputee and decorated Vietnam veteran.^[5][6] Republican Senator and fellow Vietnam veteran John McCain of Arizona said of one ad, "It's worse than disgraceful, it's reprehensible."^[7] McCain, along with Republican Senator and fellow Vietnam veteran Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, made significant complaints to the Republican National Committee until the ads were taken down.^[8] Political strategist Rick Wilson received criticism from numerous journalists for his role in the ad, including from Glenn Greenwald, Charlie Pierce, and the Center for Public Integrity.^[9][10][11]

• 2002 United States Senate elections