The 2002 North Carolina Senate election was held on November 5, 2002 as part of the biennial election to the General Assembly. All fifty seats in the North Carolina Senate were elected.
Results summary
† - Incumbent not seeking re-election
Incumbents defeated in the primary election
Howard Lee (D-District 23) lost re-nomination to Eleanor Kinnaird in a redistricting race Bob Shaw (R-District 26) lost re-nomination to Phil Berger in a redistricting race Kenneth Moore (R-District 45) lost re-nomination to Virginia Foxx in a redistricting race
Incumbents defeated in the general election
Allen Wellons (D-District 12), defeated by Fred Smith (R) T. L. "Fountain" Odom (D-District 40), defeated by Robert Pittenger (R)
Open seats that changed parties
Aaron Plyler (D-District 35) didn't seek re-election, seat won by Fern Shubert (R) Charles Newell Carter (D-District 28) didn't seek re-election, seat won by Tom Apodaca Dan Robinson (D-District 50) lost a redistricting race to Bob Carpenter (R-District 50)
Newly created seats
District 5, won by Tony Moore (D) District 6, won by Cecil Hargett (D) District 14, won by Vernon Malone (D) District 17, won by Richard Stevens (R) District 22, won by Harris Blake (R) District 29, won by Jerry Tillman (R) District 34, won by Andrew Brock (R) District 41, won by R. B. Sloan Jr. (R) District 47, won by Joe Sam Queen (D)
Detailed results
Districts 1-25
District 1
Incumbent Democratic President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight has represented the 1st district since 1985.
District 2
The new 2nd district overlaps with much of the former 3rd district. Incumbent Democrat Scott Thomas, who has represented the 3rd district since 2001, was re-elected here. Republican primary
General election
District 3
The new 3rd district includes the homes of incumbent Democrats Edward Warren, who has represented the 9th district since 1991, and R. L. "Bob" Martin, who has represented the 6th district since 1985. Neither sought re-election here and Democrat Clark Jenkins won the open seat. Democratic primary
General election
District 4
The new 4th district overlaps with much of the former 2nd district. Incumbent Democrat Frank Ballance, who has represented the 2nd district since 1989, ran for the U.S. House. Democrat Robert Lee Holloman won the open seat. Democratic primary
General election
District 5
The new 5th district is based in Wilson and Pitt counties and isn't a safe seat for either party. Democrat Tony Moore won the open seat. Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
District 6
The new 6th district is based in Jones and Onslow counties. Democrat Cecil Hargett won the open seat. Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
District 7
The new 7th district overlaps with much of the former 8th district. Incumbent Democrat John Kerr, who has represented the 8th district since 1993, was re-elected here.
District 8
The new 8th district overlaps with much of the former 18th district. Incumbent Democrat R. C. Soles Jr., who has represented the 18th district and its predecessors since 1977, was re-elected here. Republican primary
General election
District 9
The new 9th district includes the homes of incumbent Republican Patrick Ballantine, who has represented the 4th district since 1995, and Democrat Luther Jordan, who has represented the 7th district since 1993, Ballantine was re-elected here. Republican primary
General election
District 10
The new 10th district includes the homes of incumbent Democrats Charles Albertson, who has represented the 5th district since 1993, and Oscar Harris, who has represented the 15th district since 1999, Albertson was re-elected here. Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
District 11
The new 11th district overlaps with much of the former 10th district. Incumbent Democrat A. B. Swindell, who has represented the 10th district since 2001, was re-elected here.
District 12
The new 12th district includes the homes of incumbent Democrat Allen Wellons, who has represented the 11th district since 1997. Wellons lost re-election here to Republican Fred Smith. Republican primary
General election
District 13
The new 13th district overlaps with much of the former 30th district. Incumbent Democrat David Weinstein, who has represented the 30th district since 1997, was re-elected here.