The 2002 United States Senate election in Oregon was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican United States Senator Gordon Smith ran for re-election to a second term. Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury emerged as the Democratic nominee, and though a competitive gubernatorial election occurred at the same time, Bradbury's campaign was never able to gain traction and Smith overwhelmingly won re-election (Bradbury only carried Multnomah County). As of 2025, this is the last time the Republicans have won a U.S. Senate election in Oregon.
Along with Maine and New Mexico, this was one of the three Republican-held Senate seats up for election in a state that Al Gore won in the 2000 presidential election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Bill Bradbury, Oregon Secretary of State
- Craig Hanson
- Greg Haven
Results
Republican primary
- Gordon Smith, incumbent United States Senator
Results
General election
Campaign
Smith, who had only served one term in the U.S. Senate, had slightly lower than a 50% approval rating before the summer of 2002 began. By July 2002, Smith had raised over $5 million, while Bradbury raised only about $1 million.
Predictions
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Clatsop (largest city: Astoria)
- Lane (largest city: Eugene)
- Lincoln (largest city: Newport)
- Benton (largest city: Corvallis)
See also
- 2002 United States Senate elections
References
