2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado
The 2002 congressional elections in Colorado were elections for Colorado's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred along with congressional elections nationwide on November 5, 2002. Colorado has seven seats, as apportioned during the 2000 United States census and thus gaining one since the previous election. Republicans gained a seat as result, with Republicans having five seats and Democrats having two seats.
Overview
By district
Results of the 2002 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado by district:District 1
Following redistricting of Colorado's congressional districts, the 1st district consisted of all of the City and County of Denver and parts of Arapahoe County, including parts or all of the cities of Englewood, Cherry Hills Village, Sheridan, Aurora, and Glendale. Incumbent Democrat Diana DeGette, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 68.7% of the vote in 2000.Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Diana DeGette, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
- Ramona Martinez, Denver City Council member
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Kent Leonard, analyst
Green primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Ken Seaman, publisher and former teacher
Constitution primary
Candidates
Nominee
- George Lilly, sales and marketing representative and nominee for state representative in 2000
District 2
Following redistricting of Colorado's congressional districts, the 2nd district consisted of Broomfield, Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Grand, and Summit counties, as well as portions of Adams, Boulder, Jefferson, and Weld counties. Incumbent Democrat Mark Udall, who had represented the district since 1999, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 55.0% of the vote in 2000.Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Mark Udall, incumbent U.S. Representative
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Sandy Hume, Boulder Treasurer and former state senator
Eliminated in primary
- Bob Vehar, businessman
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Norm Olsen, software developer and nominee for state representative in 2000
Constitution primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Erik Brauer, electronics technician
Natural Law primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Patrick West, software engineer, state chair of the Natural Law Party of Colorado, nominee for this seat in 1998 and for state senate in 2000
District 3
Incumbent Republican Scott McInnis, who had represented the district since 1993, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 65.8% of the vote in 2000.Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Scott McInnis, incumbent U.S. Representative
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Denis Berckefeldt, former actor and chief of staff to state senator Bill Thiebaut
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Brent Shroyer, businessman, screenwriter, and retired teacher
Natural Law primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Gary Swing, performing arts promoter, Green nominee for state representative in 1996 and Pacifist Party nominee for U.S. Senate in 1998
District 4
Incumbent Republican Bob Schaffer, who had represented the district since 1997, retired rather than run for re-election. He was re-elected with 79.5% of the vote in 2000.Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Marilyn Musgrave, state senator
Eliminated in primary
- Jeff Bedingfield, attorney and businessman
Declined
- Bob Schaffer, incumbent U.S. Representative
Results
After a somewhat bitter primary campaign the hardline conservative Musgrave defeated first time candidate Bedingfield 2 to 1.Democratic primary
After being courted by Democratic house leader Dick Gephardt, Matsunaka opted to switch from the governor's race to run in the open 4th district.Candidates
Nominee
- Stan Matsunaka, President of the Colorado Senate
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- John Volz, finance adjuster
District 5
Incumbent Republican Joel Hefley, who had represented the district since 1987, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 82.7% of the vote in 2000.Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Joel Hefley, incumbent U.S. Representative
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Curtis Imrie, radio personality, film-maker, sportsman and animal breeder
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Biff Baker, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, civilian consultant and contractor
District 6
Incumbent Republican Tom Tancredo, who had represented the district since 1999, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 53.9% of the vote in 2000.Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Tom Tancredo, incumbent U.S. Representative
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Lance Wright, former Parker Town Council member
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Adam Katz, former Navy analyst
District 7
The new 7th district consisted of portions of Adams, Arapahoe, and Jefferson counties. The boundaries were drawn by a court after the state legislature failed to agree on a redistricting plan. It was drawn, as a "fair fight" district that was split roughly 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans.Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Mike Feeley, former State Senate Minority Leader and candidate for Governor in 1998
Eliminated in primary
- Dave Thomas, Jefferson District Attorney and candidate for the District 2 in 1998
Withdrawn
- Bob Hagedorn, state senator
Declined
- Ed Perlmutter, state senator
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Bob Beauprez, chair of the Colorado Republican Party
Eliminated in primary
- Rick O'Donnell, director of Governor Bill Owens' policy and initiatives office
- Joe Rogers, incumbent Lieutenant Governor and nominee for the 1st District in 1996
- Sam H. Zakhem, former United States Ambassador to Bahrain, state senator and candidate for the 6th District in 1998
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Bud Martin, retired USAF officer
Green primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Dave Chandler, desktop publishing business owner
Reform primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Victor Good, businessman, chair of the Colorado Reform Party and nominee for the 3rd district in 2000
General election
Debate
- , October 17, 2002