2002 United States Senate election in Texas

none March 2026 September 2023 2002 United States Senate election in Texas Texas presidential no 1996 United States Senate election in Texas 1996 2008 United States Senate election in Texas 2008 November 5, 2002 150x150px File:John Cornyn official portrait (cropped).jpg John Cornyn Republican Party (United States) 2,496,243 55.30% File:Ron Kirk (8by11cropped).jpg Ron Kirk Democratic Party (United States) 1,955,758 43.33% 320px County results 320px Congressional district results 1 320px Cornyn: #FFB2B2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90%Kirk: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% U.S. Senator Phil Gramm Republican Party (United States) John Cornyn Republican Party (United States) The 2002 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Phil Gramm decided to retire, instead of seeking a fourth term. State Attorney General Republican John Cornyn won the open seat. This was the first open-seat election since 1984. Republican primary John Cornyn, attorney general of Texas Polling background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Henry Bonilla vs. John Cornyn vs. Tony Garza vs. David Dewhurst Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Marginof error HenryBonilla JohnCornyn TonyGarza DavidDewhurst UndecidedMontgomery & Associates (D)https://www.texastribune.org/2001/09/10/a-disorderly-succession/ A Disorderly Succession Ross Ramsey The Texas Tribune September 10, 2001 March 11, 2026Before September 10, 2001– (V)–14%27%7%16%36% Henry Bonilla vs. David Dewhurst Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Marginof error HenryBonilla DavidDewhurst UndecidedMontgomery & Associates (D)Before September 10, 2001– (V)–24%44%32% Results Republican primary resultshttps://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=148867 TX US Senate – R Primary OurCampaigns https://web.archive.org/web/20250701021050/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=148867 July 1, 2025 March 11, 2026 Republican Party (United States) John Cornyn 478,825 77.3 Republican Party (United States) Bruce Rusty Lang 46,907 7.6 Republican Party (United States) Douglas Deffenbaugh 43,611 7.0 Republican Party (United States) Dudley F. Mooney 32,202 5.2 Republican Party (United States) Lawrence Cranberg 17,757 2.9 619,302 100.0 Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Ron Kirk, mayor of Dallas Eliminated in runoff Victor Morales, teacher, Navy veteran, 1996 Senate nominee Eliminated in primary Ken Bentsen Jr., U.S. representative, nephew of former US Senator Lloyd Bentsen Ed Cunningham, former football player for the Texas Longhorns (1985–87, 1989) Gene Kelly, perennial candidate and 2000 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate thumb|300px|Democratic primary results by county Map legend #6674DE Kirk—60–70% #7996E2 Kirk—50–60% #A5B0FF Kirk—40–50% #BDD3FF Kirk—30–40% #DFEEFF Kirk—20–30% #2ca02c Morales—70–80% #37c837 Morales—60–70% #5fd35f Morales—50–60% #87de87 Morales—40–50% #aae5aa Morales—30–40% #D69850 Bentsen—70–80% #EE8E50 Bentsen—60–70% #FF9A50 Bentsen—50–60% #FFB580 Bentsen—40–50% #FFCCA9 Bentsen—30–40% #d2b1d9ff Morales-Bentsen tie—30–40% #fff300ff Kirk-Bentsen tie—32.08% #ccccccff No vote Democratic primary results Democratic Party (United States) Victor M. Morales 317,048 33.2 Democratic Party (United States) Ron Kirk 316,052 33.1 Democratic Party (United States) Ken Bentsen 255,501 26.8 Democratic Party (United States) Gene Kelly 44,038 4.6 Democratic Party (United States) Ed Cunningham 22,016 2.3 954,655 100.0 Source: OurCampaigns.com, TX US Senate - D Primary Runoff thumb|300px|Democratic runoff results by county Map legend #3933E5 Kirk—80–90% #584CDE Kirk—70–80% #6674DE Kirk—60–70% #7996E2 Kirk—50–60% #217821 Morales—80–90% #2ca02c Morales—70–80% #37c837 Morales—60–70% #5fd35f Morales—50–60% #ae8bb1 tie—50% #ccccccff No vote Democratic runoff results Democratic Party (United States) Ron Kirk 370,878 59.8 Democratic Party (United States) Victor M. Morales 249,423 40.2 620,301 100.0 Source: OurCampaigns.com, TX US Senate - D Runoff General election Campaign Despite the fact that Texas is a red state, Kirk ran on a socially progressive platform: supporting abortion rights and opposing Bush judicial nominee Priscilla Richman, although Kirk was a former George W. Bush supporter.395977920 2002 VOTER'S GUIDE: / U.S. Senate / Cornyn vs. Kirk: More than U.S. Senate seat at stake here Houston Chronicle 27 October 2002 H.2 He also supported increases in defense spending, such as Bush's proposed $48 billion increase in military spending, except for the money Bush wanted to use for missile defense.Newsbank December 2022 Cornyn was endorsed by U.S. president and former Governor George W. Bush, while Kirk had the support of former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros, former Governor Ann Richards and former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen.Parrott Susan Kirk looks ahead to race with Cornyn Plainview Herald https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Kirk-looks-ahead-to-race-with-Cornyn-8901487.php Plainview Herald 10 March 2024 8 April 2002Gott Natalie Richards campaigns with Kirk in Austin https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Richards-campaigns-with-Kirk-in-Austin-7860756.php Midland Reporter-Telegram 10 March 2024 4 April 2002 Cornyn was criticized for taking campaign money from Enron and other controversial companies.Robinson Clay Graves Rachel Kirk, Cornyn exchange barbs over Enron, fund raising https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/kirk-cornyn-exchange-barbs-over-enron-fund-2093503.php Houston Chronicle 10 March 2024 25 September 2002 And although other Democrats have seized on the issue, Kirk is well-entrenched in the Dallas business community, and his wife resigned from two private-sector jobs that created potential conflicts of interest for Kirk while he was mayor.Robinson Clay Wife's lucrative board job issue in Kirk's Senate bid https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/wife-s-lucrative-board-job-issue-in-kirk-s-senate-2101685.php Houston Chronicle 10 March 2024 20 August 2002 An October Dallas Morning News poll had Cornyn leading 47% to 37%.330127613 Cienski Jan Ethnicity, money are the recipe for 'Dream Team': Battle for Texas: Democrats court blacks, Hispanics in Republican state National Post Don Mills, Ont 31 October 2002 A17 A record $18 million was spent in the election.https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2002&id=TXS1 Summary OpenSecrets Debates + 2002 United States Senate election in Texas debates No. Number Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey:black #90ff90  P  Participant  black #FFFFDD  A  Absent  black #ff9090  N  Not invited  black #CCFFCC  I  Invited #f0e68c W Withdrawn John Cornyn Ron Kirk1 Oct. 18, 2002 Houston ChronicleKHOU Greg HurstC-SPANC-SPAN P P2 Oct. 23, 2002 Freedom of Information Foundation of TexasHispanic Broadcasting CorporationKERA-TVTexas Association of BroadcastersTexas MonthlyThe Dallas Morning NewsTXCNUnivisionWFAA John McCaaC-SPANC-SPAN P P Predictions SourceRankingAs ofSabato's Crystal Ballhttp://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/senate_all.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20021118115505/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/senate_all.htm November 18, 2002 Senate Races www.centerforpolitics.org en-US November 4, 2002 June 25, 2021 dead mdy-all Lean RNovember 4, 2002 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error JohnCornyn (R) RonKirk (D) Other UndecidedZogby International/MSNBChttps://www.realclearpolitics.com/Congressional/Senate_02_Polls.html Polling on 2002 Key Senate Races RealClearPolitics March 11, 2026November 3–4, 2002– (V)–50%46%–4%Zogby International/MSNBChttp://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=180&xlc=856947 NEW: Poll shows Senate candidates Cornyn, Kirk almost even Sherry Sylvester San Antonio Express-News March 11, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20021204093136/http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=180&xlc=856947 December 4, 2002October 30 – November 2, 2002– (V)± 4.5%49%48%–3%Blum & Weprin Associates Inc.http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/politics/senate/newspaper/stories/110302dntexgovsenpoll.e0c2024.html Cornyn leads in latest DMN poll Todd J. Gillman Gromer Jeffers Jr. The Dallas Morning News November 3, 2002 March 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20040203210356/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/politics/senate/newspaper/stories/110302dntexgovsenpoll.e0c2024.html February 3, 2004DMN Poll conducted for The Dallas Morning NewsOctober 29 – November 1, 20021,002 (LV)± 3.0%50%41%9%University of Houston/Rice Universityhttps://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Perry-Cornyn-lead-in-latest-polls-8925179.php Perry, Cornyn lead in latest polls Plainview Herald November 1, 2002 March 11, 2026HCKHOULate–October 2002656 (LV)± 3.6%45%39%–10%SurveyUSAhttps://www.surveyusa.com/2002Elec.html 2002 SurveyUSA Election Polls November 4, 2002 March 10, 2026Poll conducted for KVUE-TV, KPRC-TV, and KSAT-TVOctober 29–31, 2002683 (LV)± 3.9%53%45%2%Scripps-Howardhttp://www.nbc5i.com/politics/1744112/detail.html Poll: Perry widens lead despite falling popularity Monica Wolfson The Brownsville Herald March 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20021119053452/http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sections/archive/topstoryjmp/10-31-02/news8.htm November 19, 2002October 7–29, 20021,000 (A)± 4.3%44%35%–21%Frank N. Magid Associates, Inc.http://www.nbc5i.com/politics/1744112/detail.html NBC 5 Exclusive: Voters Poll Part IV KXAS-TV March 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20021214155021/http://www.nbc5i.com/politics/1744112/detail.html December 14, 2002NBC5 Poll sponsored by KXAS-TVOctober 21–27, 2002550 (LV)± 4.3%43%40%–15%SurveyUSAhttp://www.surveyusa.com/2002_Elections/TX021024govtrack.pdf Kirk Gains on Cornyn for Senate; Perry Now Up 11 Pts in Gov Race SurveyUSA October 24, 2002 March 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20040723143708/http://www.surveyusa.com/2002_Elections/TX021024govtrack.pdf July 23, 2004October 21–23, 2002604 (LV)± 4.1%52%45%3%Frank N. Magid Associates, Inc.http://www.nbc5i.com/news/1732507/detail.html NBC 5 Exclusive: Voters Poll Part III KXAS-TV March 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20021024120708/http://www.nbc5i.com/news/1732507/detail.html October 24, 2002NBC5October 15–20, 2002600 (LV)± 4.1%46%36%–16%Frank N. Magid Associates, Inc.http://www.nbc5i.com/news/1721236/detail.html NBC 5 Exclusive: Voter's Poll Part II KXAS-TV March 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20021026121232/http://www.nbc5i.com/news/1721236/detail.html October 26, 2002NBC5October 8–13, 2002600 (LV)± 4.1%46%36%–16%Zogby International/MSNBChttps://www.realclearpolitics.com/Congressional/Senate_02_Polls.html Polling on 2002 Key Senate Races https://web.archive.org/web/20021014121021/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/Congressional/Senate_02_Polls.html October 14, 2002 RealClearPolitics March 11, 2026October 9–11, 2002– (V)–45%37%–18%Frank N. Magid Associates, Inc.http://www.nbc5i.com/politics/1707582/detail.html NBC 5 Exclusive: Voter's Poll KXAS-TV March 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20021010082706/http://www.nbc5i.com/politics/1707582/detail.html October 10, 2002NBC5September 30 – October 6, 2002600 (LV)± 4.1%56%30%–14%FM3 Research (D)https://www.realclearpolitics.com/Congressional/Senate_02_Polls.html Polling on 2002 Key Senate Races https://web.archive.org/web/20021004041210/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/Congressional/Senate_02_Polls.html October 4, 2002 RealClearPolitics March 11, 2026https://www.texasobserver.org/1106-editorial-poll-pollution Poll Pollution Jake Bernstein The Texas Observer October 11, 2002 March 11, 2026DSCC Poll sponsored by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign CommitteeSeptember 22–24, 2002– (V)± 3.635%39%–26%Zogby International/MSNBCSeptember 17–18, 2002––42%30%–28%University of Houston/Rice Universityhttps://www.texastribune.org/2002/09/23/aint-gonna-study-war-no-more/ Ain't Gonna Study War No More Ross Ramsey The Texas Tribune September 23, 2002 March 10, 2026HCKHOU Poll conducted for The Houston Chronicle and KHOU-TVSeptember 3–15, 2002879 (LV)± 4.1%42%36%–22%Scripps-Howardhttps://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2002/sep/5/20020905-084751-3572r/ Inside Politics – A grudging 'note' The Washington Times September 5, 2002 March 10, 2026August 7–27, 2002756 (LV)± 3.5%37%32%–30%Montgomery & Associates (D)July 31 – August 7, 2002––46%46%–8%University of Houston/Rice Universityhttps://www.texastribune.org/2002/07/08/the-sweet-smell-of-success/ The Sweet Smell of Success Ross Ramsey The Texas Tribune July 8, 2002 March 10, 2026HCKHOUJune 20–29, 2002739 (LV)± 3.5%28%36%–36%Scripps-Howardhttps://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Poll-Texas-U-S-Senate-race-neck-in-neck-8777872.php Poll: Texas U.S. Senate race neck-in-neck Connie Mabin Plainview Herald June 15, 2002 March 10, 2026May 20 – June 9, 2002668 (LV)± 3.8%35%30%–33%Montgomery & Associates (D)https://www.texastribune.org/2002/05/27/how-deep-is-this-ditch/ How Deep is this Ditch? Ross Ramsey The Texas Tribune May 27, 2002 March 10, 2026May 7–13, 20021,066 (LV)± 3.0%46%44%–10% Results General election results"2002 ELECTION STATISTICS". Republican Party (United States) John Cornyn 2,496,243 55.30% +0.52% Democratic Party (United States) Ron Kirk 1,955,758 43.33% -0.61% Libertarian Party (United States) Scott Jameson 35,538 0.79% -0.14% Green Party (United States) Roy Williams 25,051 0.55% N/A Write-in James W. Wright 1,422 0.03% N/A 540,485 11.97% +1.13% 4,514,012 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Atascosa (largest city: Pleasanton) Bastrop (largest city: Elgin) Brewster (largest city: Alpine) Cottle (largest city: Paducah) Fannin (largest city: Bonham) Galveston (largest city: Galveston) Knox (largest city: Munday) Milam (largest city: Rockdale) Palo Pinto (largest city: Mineral Wells) Red River (largest city: Clarksville) Stonewall (largest city: Aspermont) Trinity (largest city: Trinity) Waller (largest city: Hempstead) Robertson (largest city: Hearne) Bexar (largest city: San Antonio) Calhoun (largest city: Port Lavaca) Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Pecos (largest city: Fort Stockton) San Augustine (largest city: San Augustine) San Patricio (largest city: Portland) Hudspeth (largest city: Fort Hancock) Refugio (largest city: Refugio) Dallas (largest city: Dallas) See also 2002 United States Senate election Notes Partisan clients References External links Official campaign websites (archived) John Cornyn (R) for Senate Ron Kirk (D) for Senate United States Senate Texas 2002 Category:John Cornyn