2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington
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All 9 Washington seats to the United States House of Representatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Washington (state) |
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The 2002 House elections in Washington occurred on November 5, 2002 to elect the members of the State of Washington's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Washington has nine seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Though competitive races occurred in several districts, no seat switched hands as a result of the elections this year.
Overview
| United States House of Representatives elections in Washington, 2002[1] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats | +/– | |
| Democratic | 907,440 | 52.18% | 6 | — | |
| Republican | 778,922 | 44.79% | 3 | — | |
| Independents | 52,754 | 3.03% | 0 | — | |
| Totals | 1,739,116 | 100.00% | 9 | — | |
District 1
Incumbent Democratic Congressman Jay Inslee ran for a fourth nonconsecutive term in Congress from this fairly liberal district rooted in portions of the Kitsap Peninsula and Seattle’s northern suburbs. Inslee faced Republican candidate Joe Marine, a former Mukilteo City Councilman and State Representative. Though Marine gave Inslee one of the closest races of his career, the Congressman was successful on election day and bested Marine by a fourteen-point margin.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe D | November 4, 2002 |
| New York Times[3] | Safe D | October 14, 2002 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jay Inslee (inc.) | 114,087 | 55.64 | |
| Republican | Joe Marine | 84,696 | 41.31 | |
| Libertarian | Mark B. Wilson | 6,251 | 3.05 | |
| Total votes | 205,034 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
By county
| County[4] | Jay Inslee Democratic | Joe Marine Republican | Mark B. Wilson Libertarian | Margin | Total votes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| King (part) | 43,854 | 57.50% | 30,255 | 39.67% | 2,157 | 2.83% | 13,599 | 17.83% | 76,266 |
| Kitsap (part) | 22,742 | 57.55% | 15,509 | 39.24% | 1,268 | 3.21% | 7,233 | 18.30% | 39,519 |
| Snohomish (part) | 47,491 | 53.21% | 38,932 | 43.62% | 2,826 | 3.17% | 8,559 | 9.59% | 89,249 |
| Totals | 114,087 | 55.64% | 84,696 | 41.31% | 6,251 | 3.05% | 29,391 | 14.33% | 205,034 |
District 2
Freshman Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen, who represents this northwestern Washington-based district, ran for re-election. Larsen faced Republican Norma Smith, an aide to former Congressman Jack Metcalf and a former South Whidbey school board member in the general election. Though Larsen attained a majority of the vote and retained his seat, Smith was able to keep her Democratic opponent to only a four-point margin, surprisingly close in this marginally liberal district.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Lean D | November 4, 2002 |
| New York Times[3] | Safe D | October 14, 2002 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rick Larsen (inc.) | 101,219 | 50.07 | |
| Republican | Norma Smith | 92,528 | 45.77 | |
| Libertarian | Bruce Guthrie | 4,326 | 2.14 | |
| Green | Bern Haggerty | 4,077 | 2.02 | |
| Total votes | 202,150 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
By county
| County[5] | Rick Larsen Democratic | Norma Smith Republican | Various candidates Other parties | Margin | Total votes cast | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Island | 11,731 | 46.83% | 12,580 | 50.22% | 737 | 2.94% | -849 | -3.39% | 25,048 |
| King (part) | 114 | 56.72% | 77 | 38.31% | 10 | 4.98% | 37 | 18.41% | 201 |
| San Juan | 4,031 | 58.86% | 2,371 | 34.62% | 446 | 6.51% | 1,660 | 24.24% | 6,848 |
| Skagit | 16,233 | 49.52% | 15,519 | 47.34% | 1,029 | 3.14% | 714 | 2.18% | 32,781 |
| Snohomish (part) | 42,322 | 50.51% | 38,250 | 45.65% | 3,224 | 3.85% | 4,072 | 4.86% | 83,796 |
| Whatcom | 26,788 | 50.09% | 23,731 | 44.38% | 2,957 | 5.53% | 3,057 | 5.72% | 53,476 |
| Totals | 101,219 | 50.07% | 92,528 | 45.77% | 8,403 | 4.16% | 8,691 | 4.30% | 202,150 |
District 3
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 County results Baird: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Though the southwestern Washington-based district that two-term Democratic incumbent Congressman Brian Baird represents is essentially a centrist district, the Congressman was able to perform surprisingly well against Republican State Senator Joseph Zarelli. Baird was overwhelmingly re-elected over Zarelli, receiving over sixty percent of the vote on election day.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe D | November 4, 2002 |
| New York Times[3] | Safe D | October 14, 2002 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Baird (inc.) | 119,264 | 61.69 | |
| Republican | Joseph Zarelli | 74,065 | 38.31 | |
| Total votes | 193,329 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
By county
| County[6] | Brian Baird Democratic | Joseph Zarelli Republican | Margin | Total votes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Clark | 53,573 | 59.30% | 36,776 | 40.70% | 16,797 | 18.59% | 90,349 |
| Cowlitz | 17,682 | 66.17% | 9,042 | 33.83% | 8,640 | 32.33% | 26,724 |
| Lewis | 11,378 | 50.14% | 11,314 | 49.86% | 64 | 0.28% | 22,692 |
| Pacific | 5,283 | 70.57% | 2,203 | 29.43% | 3,080 | 41.14% | 7,486 |
| Skamania (part) | 1,415 | 59.81% | 951 | 40.19% | 464 | 19.61% | 2,366 |
| Thurston (part) | 28,657 | 68.40% | 13,241 | 31.60% | 15,416 | 36.79% | 41,898 |
| Wahkiakum | 1,276 | 70.34% | 538 | 29.66% | 738 | 40.68% | 1,814 |
| Totals | 119,264 | 61.69% | 74,065 | 38.31% | 45,199 | 23.38% | 193,329 |
District 4
In this solidly conservative, central Washington congressional district, incumbent Republican Congressman Doc Hastings faced Democrat Craig Mason, a sociology professor at Columbia Basin College in the general election. Owing to Congressman Hastings’s popularity and his district’s strong proclivity towards electing Republican candidates, the Congressman was re-elected in a landslide.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe R | November 4, 2002 |
| New York Times[3] | Safe R | October 14, 2002 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Doc Hastings (inc.) | 108,257 | 66.90 | |
| Democratic | Craig Mason | 53,572 | 33.10 | |
| Total votes | 161,829 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
By county
| County[7] | Doc Hastings Republican | Craig Mason Democratic | Margin | Total votes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Adams (part) | 1,195 | 75.82% | 381 | 24.18% | 814 | 51.65% | 1,576 |
| Benton | 27,779 | 69.31% | 12,299 | 30.69% | 15,480 | 38.62% | 40,078 |
| Chelan | 13,313 | 67.70% | 6,351 | 32.30% | 6,962 | 35.40% | 19,664 |
| Douglas | 6,213 | 70.34% | 2,620 | 29.66% | 3,593 | 40.68% | 8,833 |
| Franklin | 6,839 | 69.38% | 3,019 | 30.62% | 3,820 | 38.75% | 9,858 |
| Grant | 12,991 | 73.49% | 4,687 | 26.51% | 8,304 | 46.97% | 17,678 |
| Kittitas | 6,086 | 62.05% | 3,723 | 37.95% | 2,363 | 24.09% | 9,809 |
| Klickitat | 3,911 | 63.59% | 2,239 | 36.41% | 1,672 | 27.19% | 6,150 |
| Skamania (part) | 459 | 50.77% | 445 | 49.23% | 14 | 1.55% | 904 |
| Yakima | 29,471 | 62.33% | 17,808 | 37.67% | 11,663 | 24.67% | 47,279 |
| Totals | 108,257 | 66.90% | 53,572 | 33.10% | 54,685 | 33.79% | 161,829 |
District 5
Running for his fifth term in Congress, incumbent Republican Congressman George Nethercutt faced Democratic candidate Bart Haggin and Libertarian candidate Rob Chase as obstacles to another term. In this staunchly conservative district rooted in the socially conservative counties of eastern Washington, Congressman Nethercutt hardly faced a challenge and easily won another term.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe R | November 4, 2002 |
| New York Times[3] | Safe R | October 14, 2002 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | George Nethercutt (inc.) | 126,757 | 62.66 | |
| Democratic | Bart Haggin | 65,146 | 32.21 | |
| Libertarian | Rob Chase | 10,379 | 5.13 | |
| Total votes | 202,282 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
By county
| County[8] | George Nethercutt Republican | Bart Haggin Democratic | Rob Chase Libertarian | Margin | Total votes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Adams (part) | 1,542 | 81.37% | 285 | 15.03% | 68 | 3.59% | 1,257 | 66.33% | 1,895 |
| Asotin | 3,643 | 60.45% | 2,110 | 35.01% | 273 | 4.53% | 1,533 | 25.44% | 6,026 |
| Columbia | 1,381 | 77.98% | 331 | 18.69% | 59 | 3.33% | 1,050 | 59.29% | 1,771 |
| Ferry | 1,802 | 68.13% | 682 | 25.78% | 161 | 6.09% | 1,120 | 42.34% | 2,645 |
| Garfield | 691 | 72.13% | 223 | 23.28% | 44 | 4.59% | 468 | 48.85% | 958 |
| Lincoln | 2,900 | 72.50% | 949 | 23.73% | 151 | 3.78% | 1,951 | 48.78% | 4,000 |
| Okanogan | 7,355 | 66.06% | 3,050 | 27.40% | 728 | 6.54% | 4,305 | 38.67% | 11,133 |
| Pend Oreille | 2,914 | 63.64% | 1,345 | 29.37% | 320 | 6.99% | 1,569 | 34.27% | 4,579 |
| Spokane | 78,016 | 60.12% | 45,100 | 34.76% | 6,647 | 5.12% | 32,916 | 25.37% | 129,763 |
| Stevens | 9,586 | 67.97% | 3,623 | 25.69% | 895 | 6.35% | 5,963 | 42.28% | 14,104 |
| Walla Walla | 10,084 | 68.20% | 4,086 | 27.64% | 615 | 4.16% | 5,998 | 40.57% | 14,785 |
| Whitman | 6,843 | 64.42% | 3,362 | 31.65% | 418 | 3.93% | 3,481 | 32.77% | 10,623 |
| Totals | 126,757 | 62.66% | 65,146 | 32.21% | 10,379 | 5.13% | 61,611 | 30.46% | 202,282 |
District 6
Long-serving Democratic Congressman Norm Dicks, the longest-serving of Washington congressmen, has represented this liberal-leaning, Kitsap Peninsula-based district since he was first elected in United States House of Representatives elections, 1980#Washington. Congressman Dicks faced Republican nominee Bob Lawrence in the general election, who was also his opponent in the previous two elections. Lawrence hardly faced a chance in the general election, and Dicks was swept into his fourteenth term in a landslide.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe D | November 4, 2002 |
| New York Times[3] | Safe D | October 14, 2002 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Norm Dicks (inc.) | 126,116 | 64.20 | |
| Republican | Bob Lawrence | 61,584 | 31.35 | |
| Libertarian | John A. Bennett | 8,744 | 4.45 | |
| Total votes | 196,444 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
By county
| County[9] | Norm Dicks Democratic | Bob Lawrence Republican | John A. Bennett Libertarian | Margin | Total votes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Clallam | 13,748 | 52.36% | 10,582 | 40.30% | 1,926 | 7.34% | 3,166 | 12.06% | 26,256 |
| Grays Harbor | 11,683 | 66.74% | 4,957 | 28.32% | 864 | 4.94% | 6,726 | 38.43% | 17,504 |
| Jefferson | 8,426 | 64.59% | 3,909 | 29.97% | 710 | 5.44% | 4,517 | 34.63% | 13,045 |
| Kitsap (part) | 24,845 | 67.99% | 10,332 | 28.28% | 1,363 | 3.73% | 14,513 | 39.72% | 36,540 |
| Mason | 10,211 | 61.49% | 5,429 | 32.69% | 966 | 5.82% | 4,782 | 28.80% | 16,606 |
| Pierce (part) | 57,203 | 66.14% | 26,375 | 30.49% | 2,915 | 3.37% | 30,828 | 35.64% | 86,493 |
| Totals | 126,116 | 64.20% | 61,584 | 31.35% | 8,744 | 4.45% | 64,532 | 32.85% | 196,444 |
District 7
This district, the most liberal in Washington, encompasses most of the city of Seattle and has been represented by Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott since he was first elected in 1988. Running for a seventh term this year, McDermott faced off against Republican Carol Cassady and Libertarian Stan Lippmann, whom he crushed in the general election by a convincing margin.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe D | November 4, 2002 |
| New York Times[3] | Safe D | October 14, 2002 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim McDermott (inc.) | 156,300 | 74.07 | |
| Republican | Carol Cassady | 46,256 | 21.92 | |
| Libertarian | Stan Lippmann | 8,447 | 4.00 | |
| Total votes | 211,003 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
By county
| County[10] | Jim McDermott Democratic | Carol Cassady Republican | Stan Lippmann Libertarian | Margin | Total votes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| King (part) | 156,300 | 74.07% | 46,256 | 21.92% | 8,447 | 4.00% | 110,044 | 52.15% | 211,003 |
| Totals | 156,300 | 74.07% | 46,256 | 21.92% | 8,447 | 4.00% | 110,044 | 52.15% | 211,003 |
District 8
Incumbent Republican Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn ran for a seventh term in this liberal-leaning district and faced Democratic nominee Heidi Behrens-Benedict and Libertarian Mark Taff in the general election. Though this district, based in the eastern suburbs of Seattle, has a tendency to vote Democratic, the potential potency of Behrens-Benedict’s candidacy was hampered by the fact that she has achieved perennial status, running for the same seat two previous times. Ultimately, Congresswoman Dunn was re-elected by a solid margin on election day.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe R | November 4, 2002 |
| New York Times[3] | Safe R | October 14, 2002 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jennifer Dunn (inc.) | 121,633 | 59.82 | |
| Democratic | Heidi Behrens-Benedict | 75,931 | 37.34 | |
| Libertarian | Mark A. Taff | 5,771 | 2.84 | |
| Total votes | 203,335 | 100.00 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
By county
| County[11] | Jennifer Dunn Republican | Heidi Behrens-Benedict Democratic | Mark A. Taff Libertarian | Margin | Total votes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| King (part) | 98,565 | 59.44% | 62,876 | 37.92% | 4,377 | 2.64% | 35,689 | 21.52% | 165,818 |
| Pierce (part) | 23,068 | 61.49% | 13,055 | 34.80% | 1,394 | 3.72% | 10,013 | 26.69% | 37,517 |
| Totals | 121,633 | 59.82% | 75,931 | 37.34% | 5,771 | 2.84% | 45,702 | 22.48% | 203,335 |
District 9
In his bid for a fourth term, incumbent Democratic Congressman Adam Smith was opposed by Republican State Representative Sarah Casada and Libertarian candidate John Mills in the general election. Congressman Smith represents a liberal-leaning district that runs from the state’s capital of Olympia to some of the southern suburbs of Seattle, and, true to the liberal tendencies of his constituency, Smith was re-elected by a substantial margin over Casada and Mills.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe D | November 4, 2002 |
| New York Times[3] | Safe D | October 14, 2002 |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Adam Smith (inc.) | 95,805 | 58.52 | |
| Republican | Sarah Casada | 63,146 | 38.57 | |
| Libertarian | John Mills | 4,759 | 2.91 | |
| Total votes | 163,710 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
By county
| County[12] | Adam Smith Democratic | Sarah Casada Republican | John Mills Libertarian | Margin | Total votes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| King (part) | 45,639 | 62.09% | 25,773 | 35.06% | 2,092 | 2.85% | 19,866 | 27.03% | 73,504 |
| Pierce (part) | 33,462 | 53.83% | 26,978 | 43.40% | 1,728 | 2.78% | 6,484 | 10.43% | 62,168 |
| Thurston (part) | 16,704 | 59.58% | 10,395 | 37.07% | 939 | 3.35% | 6,309 | 22.50% | 28,038 |
| Totals | 95,805 | 58.52% | 63,146 | 38.57% | 4,759 | 2.91% | 32,659 | 19.95% | 163,710 |
References
- ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "50 most competitive House races of 2002". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2002. Archived from the original on November 6, 2002. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "2002 Senate, House and Governor Ratings". The New York Times. October 14, 2002. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ a b Reed, Sam (November 5, 2002). "Elections Search Results November 2002 General U. S. Representative District #1". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Sam (November 5, 2002). "Elections Search Results November 2002 General U. S. Representative District #2". Secretary of State of Washington. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Sam (November 5, 2002). "Elections Search Results November 2002 General U. S. Representative District #3". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Sam (November 5, 2002). "Elections Search Results November 2002 General U. S. Representative District #4". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Sam (November 5, 2002). "Elections Search Results November 2002 General U. S. Representative District #5". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Sam (November 5, 2002). "Elections Search Results November 2002 General U. S. Representative District #6". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Sam (November 5, 2002). "Elections Search Results November 2002 General U. S. Representative District #7". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Sam (November 5, 2002). "Elections Search Results November 2002 General U. S. Representative District #8". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Reed, Sam (November 5, 2002). "Elections Search Results November 2002 General U. S. Representative District #9". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved August 18, 2025.