2002 United States Senate election in Illinois

The United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Dick Durbin sought re-election to a second term in the United States Senate. Durbin defeated Republican challenger State Representative Jim Durkin in a landslide.

2002 United States Senate election in Illinois

November 5, 2002
Turnout	49.50%
Nominee Dick Durbin Jim Durkin Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,103,766 1,325,703 Percentage 60.33% 38.02%
County results Durbin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Durkin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election Dick Durbin Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Democratic

Election information

The primaries and general elections coincided with those for House and those for state offices.

Turnout

See also: 2002 Illinois elections § Turnout

For the primary elections, turnout was 24.66%, with 1,743,698 votes cast.[1][2] For the general election, turnout was 49.50%, with 3,486,851 votes cast.[1][2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Dick Durbin, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Democratic primary results[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dick Durbin (incumbent)	918,467	100.00%
Total votes			918,467	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Durkin, Illinois State Representative
• Jim Oberweis, owner of Oberweis Dairy
• John H. Cox, businessman

Results

Republican primary results[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Durkin	378,010	45.81%
	Republican	Jim Oberweis	259,515	31.45%
	Republican	John H. Cox	187,706	22.74%
Total votes			825,231	100.00%

General election

Debates

• Complete video of debate, October 23, 2002

Results

Durbin won re-election to a second term easily, carrying a majority of the state's 102 counties.

United States Senate election in Illinois, 2002[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic	Dick Durbin (incumbent)	2,103,766	60.33%	+4.25%
	Republican	Jim Durkin	1,325,703	38.02%	-2.65%
	Libertarian	Steven Burgauer	57,382	1.65%	+0.68%
Majority			778,063	22.31%	+6.90%
Turnout			3,486,851	49.50%
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
2. "Election Results". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
3. "Ballots Cast". Elections.il.gov. March 19, 2002. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
4. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002" (PDF). Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2015.