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Politics 2002
Campaigns and Elections
As Democrats and Republicans fight for control of Congress and statehouses, NPR correspondents cover the buildup to the November 5 general elections, exploring key primaries and crucial races.
 Campaigns and Elections archive
Plane Crash Kills Sen. Paul Wellstone
Friends and colleagues mourn Sen. Paul Wellstone, who died Friday in a plane crash with his wife, their daughter and five others. The two-term Democrat was in a tight race for re-election, but Minnesota campaigns are on hold as the state copes with a stunning loss. NPR's Scott Simon, David Welna and Brian Naylor.
Oct. 26, 2002.
Tight Senate Race in S. Dakota
NPR's Mara Liasson reports on the South Dakota Senate race between incumbent Democrat Tim Johnson and the state's only member of the House, Republican John Thune. Competition is fierce as the latest polls show the two candidates in the final stretch -- battling it out for 10 thousand undecided voters with debates and an onslaught of television ads.
Oct 23, 2002.
Two Incumbents in Conn. Race
Heather Claborn of member station WNPR reports on the campaign in Connecticut between Republican Nancy Johnson and Democrat Jim Maloney. Johnson emphasizes her support for President Bush's policy toward Iraq, but independence from him on domestic issues. Maloney voted against the resolution giving the President authority to launch a preemptive military strike against Iraq. He says Johnson's position on health care is unduly influenced by the big contributions she receives from HMO's.
Oct.22, 2002.
Gun Control and Politics Mix in Maryland Race
NPR's Brian Naylor reports on the tight race for governor of Maryland, in which the random sniper slayings may be playing a political role. Republican candidate Bob Ehrlich had questioned the effectiveness of gun-control laws on the books ... and then came the shootings, which could give a boost to the Democratic candidate, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.
Oct.22, 2002.
Pataki Leads McCall in NY Gov's Race
Carl McCall's race for the governorship of New York has been an uphill challenge against Republican George Pataki. Despite New York being seen as a Democratic state, incumbent Pataki will likely win a third term as governor. Andrea Bernstein from member station WNYC reports.
Oct 20, 2002.
Tight Race for Senator in Missouri
NPR's Greg Allen reports on the Senate runoff between Missouri Democrat Jean Carnahan and challenger Jim Talent. Most voters have only seen the two in ads... a situation that will change next week with the first of two scheduled debates.
Oct. 20, 2002.
Interest Groups Weigh in on PA House Race
Redistricting in Pennsylvania pits two veteran House members against one another in one of the most hotly contested races in the country. And they are getting help they didn't even ask for from interest groups. NPR's Peter Overby reports.
Oct. 17, 2002.
Political Newcomer in Key South Dakota Race
Joshua Welsh of South Dakota Public Radio reports on the campaign for South Dakota's only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrat Stephanie Herseth, a political neophyte, is running against four-term Republican Governor Bill Janklow. The race is one of many across the country, considered pivotal for control of the House.
Oct. 16, 2002.
Maine Race
Susan Chisholm of Maine Public Radio reports on the upcoming election for the state's second congressional district. There's an unusual pairing in this race: a Democrat who is opposed to abortion rights is running against a Republican who supports them.
Oct. 13, 2002.
Attack Ads Soil Colorado Senate Race
NPR's Linda Wertheimer profiles the candidates in the Colorado Senate race, one of the closest and nastiest in the country. Republican incumbent Wayne Allard and Democratic challenger Tom Strickland have barraged radio and television airwaves with attack ads. Each describes the other's campaign as unnecessarily personal and mean-spirited.
Oct. 10, 2002.
High Court Denies GOP's Senate Appeal
In a one-sentence denial to New Jersey Republicans' request, the United States Supreme Court gave Democrats approval to replace Senator Robert Torricelli on the New Jersey ballot with Frank Lautenberg. Republicans had challenged the replacement on grounds it violated New Jersey law, and appealed a unanimous New Jersey Supreme Court decision to the U.S. high court. NPR's Nancy Solomon reports.
Oct. 8, 2002.
Voters Cool to California Gov. Race
NPR's Ina Jaffe reports that California voters are unenthusiastic about either candidate for governor, the incumbent, Democrat Gray Davis and his Republican challenger, Bill Simon. Both campaigns have been negative. Davis is leading in the polls.
Oct. 8, 2002.
N.J. Election Dispute to U.S. Supreme Court
New Jersey Republican Senate Candidate Doug Forrester asked the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday to block Democrats from replacing Senator Robert Torrecelli's name on the election ballot. New Jersey law says no candidate can be placed on the ballot within 51 days of an election, but the state Supreme Court ruled that the addition of another candidate is in the public's interest.
Oct. 4, 2002.
N.J. Ballot Switch
NPR's Mara Liasson reports on the latest developments in the New Jersey ballot case. Yesterday, the Democrats won a major victory when the state Supreme Court ruled that they could substitute Sen. Robert Torricelli's name with that of former Sen. Frank Lautenberg. Today, the Republicans appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that replacing Torricelli -- who abandoned his re-election effort on Monday -- came too late and would disenfranchise voters who already received absentee ballots.
Oct. 3, 2002.
N.J. Ruling Could Replace Torricelli on Ballot
The New Jersey State Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Democrats can replace Senator Robert Torricelli on the ballot, despite a state law prohibiting the addition of a candidate within 51 days of an election. Republicans plan to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Former Republican Governor Christine Todd Whitman appointed six of the seven members of the New Jersey court. NPR's Nancy Solomon reports.
Oct. 3, 2002.
Torricelli Fallout
NPR's Nancy Solomon reports on the aftermath of Sen. Robert Torricelli's withdrawal from his bid for re-election. The New Jersey Democrat, under an ethics cloud and trailing his Republican opponent, pulled out of the race after the deadline to do so. Now the state Supreme Court is planning to hear arguments about why Democrats should be allowed to replace him on the ballot.
Oct. 1, 2002.
Campaigns and Elections archive
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