2002 United States Senate Elections (The New Millennium)

The 2002 United States Senate Elections were held on November 5, 2002. The elections coincided with the middle of Al Gore's first term as President of the United States. The elections were held almost 14 months after the September 11 Attacks which dominated the national debate.

The Republicans had hoped to do well, as the party holding the presidency historically lose seats in midterm elections, however they only managed to win 1 seat from Democrats in Georgia. Meanwhile, Democrats won 3 seats in Arkansas, Connecticut, and New Hampshire while fiercely retaining other seats nationwide. The Democrats performance in the elections was mostly connected due to nationwide support for Gore's response following the September 11 Attacks. This is the first time the incumbent party had gained seats in the midterm Senate elections since 1970.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle lead Democrats through the cycle and was easily re-elected as Majority Leader while the Republicans were led by Trent Lott. Following the elections, Lott's controversial praise for Strom Thurmond's 1948 segregationist presidential campaign at Thurmond's 100th birthday celebration led to him stepping down as the Senate Minority Leader, and Tennessee Republican Bill Frist was selected instead.