2002 United States House of Representatives elections

The 2002 United States House of Representatives elections were held on 5 November 2002, in the middle of President George W. Bush's first term. Although it was a midterm election under a Republican president, the Republican Party gained a net eight seats, solidifying their majority. Some speculate that this may have been due to increased support for the President's party in the wake of the September 11 attacks.[1]

2002 United States House of Representatives elections

November 5, 2002
All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives 218 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Dennis Hastert Dick Gephardt Party Republican Democratic Leader since January 3, 1999 January 3, 1995 Leader's seat Illinois 14th Missouri 3rd Last election 221 seats, 47.6% 212 seats, 47.1% Seats won 229 205 Seat change 8 7 Popular vote 37,332,552 33,795,885 Percentage 50.0% 45.2% Swing 2.4% 1.9%   Third party   Party Independent Last election 2 seats Seats won 1 Seat change 1 Popular vote 398,398 Percentage 0.5% Swing 0.2%
Results:      Democratic hold      Democratic gain      Republican hold      Republican gain      Independent hold
Speaker before election Dennis Hastert Republican Elected Speaker Dennis Hastert Republican

This was one of two mid-term elections in which the party of the incumbent president increased their number of seats in both the House and the Senate (the other such mid-term elections were in 1934). It was the sixth midterm election in which the President's party increased its number of seats in the House, after 1814, 1822, 1902, 1934, and 1998, and is the only midterm election since 1978 which left the President's party in control of the House.

As of 2021, this is the most recent election in which the Democrats were not led by Nancy Pelosi.