United States Senate election in Georgia, 2002

United States Senate election in Georgia, 2002

November 5, 2002

Nominee Saxby Chambliss Max Cleland Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,071,153 931,857 Percentage 52.8% 45.9%

County results

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

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 lost to Republican Saxby Chambliss.

Major candidates

Democratic

• Max Cleland, incumbent U.S. Senator

Republican

• Saxby Chambliss, U.S. Representative

Campaign

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.^[1][2] Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona said of one ad, "It's worse than disgraceful, it's reprehensible."^[3] McCain, along with Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, made significant complaints to the Republican National Committee until the ads were taken down.^[4]

Results

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Republican	Saxby Chambliss	1,071,153	52.8%
	Democratic	Max Cleland	931,857	45.9%
	Libertarian	Claude Thomas	26,981	1.3%

References

1. Chambliss Ad (Cleland), YouTube, August 02, 2006
2. Politico: Cleland ad causes trouble for Chambliss. November 12, 2008.
3. The Atlantic: The Daily Dish: Quote for the Day. November 12, 2008.
4. The Orlando Sentinel: Ex-senator Boosts Kerry, Battles Critics. June 13, 2004