The 2002 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Harkin sought re-election to a fourth term in office. Harkin was opposed in the general election by U.S. Congressman Greg Ganske, who fought off a difficult challenger in the Republican primary. Though Harkin narrowly defeated his opponent six years earlier, he was able to defeat Ganske by a comfortable margin to win re-election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Tom Harkin, incumbent United States Senator
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Greg Ganske, U.S. Representative
Bill Salier, hog farmer
Results
General election
Debates
Complete video of debate, October 6, 2002
Predictions
Polling
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
Adair (Largest city: Greenfield) Adams (Largest city: Corning) Allamakee (Largest city: Waukon) Audubon (Largest city: Audubon) Calhoun (Largest city: Rockwell City) Carroll (Largest city: Carroll) Cherokee (Largest city: Cherokee) Clay (Largest city: Spencer) Decatur (Largest city: Lamoni) Franklin (Largest city: Hampton) Guthrie (Largest city: Guthrie Center) Hancock (Largest city: Garner) Hardin (Largest city: Iowa Falls) Kossuth (Largest city: Algona) Monona (Largest city: Onawa) Pocahontas (Largest city: Pocahontas) Ringgold (Largest city: Mount Ayr) Taylor (Largest city: Bedford) Union (Largest city: Creston) Woodbury (Largest city: Sioux City) Wright (Largest city: Eagle Grove) Louisa (largest city: Wapello) Buena Vista (largest city: Storm Lake) Humboldt (largest city: Humboldt) Ida (largest city: Ida Grove) Sac (largest city: Sac City) Dickinson (Largest city: Spirit Lake) Wayne (Largest city: Corydon)
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Delaware (Largest city: Manchester)