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

November 5, 2002 (2002-11-05)
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 2 Popular vote 1,104,622 814,295 Percentage 57.56% 42.44% Swing 4.44% 4.44%
Republican   50–60%   70–80%   >90% Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   >90%

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

United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia, 2002
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

2002 Georgia's 1st congressional district election

November 5, 2002

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

See also: Georgia's 1st congressional district

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

See also: Georgia's 2nd congressional district

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

2002 Georgia's 3rd congressional district election

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

See also: Georgia's 3rd congressional district

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

2002 Georgia's 4th congressional district election

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

See also: Georgia's 4th congressional district

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. 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

See also: Georgia's 5th congressional district

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

2002 Georgia's 6th congressional district election

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

See also: Georgia's 6th congressional district

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

2002 Georgia's 7th congressional district election

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

See also: Georgia's 7th congressional district

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. 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

2002 Georgia's 8th congressional district election

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

See also: Georgia's 8th congressional district

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

2002 Georgia's 9th congressional district election

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

See also: Georgia's 9th congressional district

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

See also: Georgia's 10th congressional district

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

2002 Georgia's 11th congressional district election

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

See also: Georgia's 11th congressional district

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

2002 Georgia's 12th congressional district election

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

See also: Georgia's 12th congressional district

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

2002 Georgia's 13th congressional district election

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

See also: Georgia's 13th congressional district

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)