2002 United States Senate election in Montana

The 2002 United States Senate election in Montana was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Max Baucus won re-election to a fifth term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Max Baucus, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Mike Taylor, Montana State Senator
• Brad Johnson, businessman
• John McDonald
• Melvin Hanson

Results

General election

Candidates

• Max Baucus, incumbent U.S. Senator (Democratic)
• Stan Jones (Libertarian)
• Bob Kelleher, attorney (Green)

Withdrew

• Mike Taylor, State Senator (Republican) (withdrew October 10)

Campaign

The 2002 Montana elections got national attention when Baucus's opponent, state senator Mike Taylor, accused Baucus of having implied that Taylor was gay in a campaign ad. The ad was paid for by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, though designed by the Baucus campaign. The ad, which alleged that Taylor had embezzled funds from the cosmetology school he once owned, showed footage from the early 1980s of Taylor massaging another man's face while wearing a tight suit with an open shirt. Taylor dropped out of the race and Baucus won with 63 percent of the vote.

Debates

• Complete video of debate, September 16, 2002

Predictions

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

See also

• 2002 United States Senate elections

References

1. 2024 United States Senate election in Montana
2. 2006 United States Senate election in Montana
3. 2018 United States Senate election in Montana
4. 2012 United States Senate election in Montana
5. 2000 United States Senate election in Montana
6. 2020 United States Senate election in Montana
7. 2002 United States Senate elections
8. 2014 United States Senate election in Montana
9. 2008 United States Senate election in Montana
10. 1994 United States Senate election in Montana
11. 1976 United States Senate election in Montana
12. 1988 United States Senate election in Montana
13. 1952 United States Senate election in Montana
14. 1966 United States Senate election in Montana
15. 1984 United States Senate election in Montana
16. 1978 United States Senate election in Montana
17. 1996 United States Senate election in Montana
18. 2024 United States Senate election in Nevada
19. 1982 United States Senate election in Montana
20. 1990 United States Senate election in Montana