United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2012
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Elections in Nebraska |
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The 2012 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
Incumbent Democratic U.S. senator Ben Nelson had chosen to retire instead of seeking a third term.[2] Former U.S. senator Bob Kerrey, a Democrat, and state senator Deb Fischer, a Republican, won their respective parties' primary elections on May 15, 2012.
Fischer won the general election with 58% of the vote.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Bob Kerrey, former U.S. senator and former governor[3]
- Steven Lustgarten, video production company owner[4]
- Larry Marvin, landlord and perennial candidate[5]
- Sherman Yates[5]
Withdrew
- Chuck Hassebrook, University of Nebraska regent[6]
Declined
- Chris Beutler, mayor of Lincoln[7]
- Jane Kleeb, founder and director of Bold Nebraska[8]
- Scott Kleeb, businessman, Democratic nominee for the 3rd congressional district in 2006 and for the U.S. Senate in 2008[8]
- Steve Lathrop, state senator[9]
- Ben Nelson, incumbent U.S. senator[10]
- Kim Robak, former lieutenant governor[11]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bob Kerrey | 66,586 | 81.0 | |
Democratic | Chuck Hassebrook | 9,886 | 12.0 | |
Democratic | Steven Lustgarten | 2,177 | 2.6 | |
Democratic | Larry Marvin | 2,076 | 2.5 | |
Democratic | Sherman Yates | 1,500 | 1.9 | |
Total votes | 82,225 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jon Bruning, Nebraska attorney general[13]
- Sharyn Elander[5]
- Deb Fischer, state senator[14]
- Pat Flynn, financial adviser[15]
- Don Stenberg, state treasurer, former Nebraska attorney general, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2000[16]
- Spencer Zimmerman, truck driver and Air Force veteran[5][17]
Declined
- Bob Bennie, businessman[18]
- Rex Fisher, businessman[18]
- Mike Flood, speaker of the Nebraska Legislature[19]
- Jeff Fortenberry, U.S. representative[20]
- Dave Heineman, governor of Nebraska[21]
- Kay Orr, former Nebraska governor[22]
- Mike Simmonds, businessman[23]
- Adrian Smith, U.S. representative[24]
- Lee Terry, U.S. representative[25]
Polling
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Jon Bruning |
Sharyn Elander |
Deb Fischer |
Pat Flynn |
Don Stenberg |
Spencer Zimmerman |
Other/ Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling | May 14, 2012 | 272 | ± 5.9% | 33% | 1% | 37% | 2% | 17% | 1% | 7% |
We Ask America | May 13, 2012 | 1,109 | ± 2.95% | 34% | 4% | 39% | 3% | 18% | 2% | – |
We Ask America | May 6, 2012 | 1,173 | ± 2.9% | 42.2% | 3.4% | 25.9% | 4% | 22.5% | 2% | – |
Public Policy Polling | March 22–25, 2012 | 440 | ± 4.7% | 46% | 3% | 12% | 4% | 18% | 0% | 18% |
Public Policy Polling | September 30–October 2, 2011 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 37% | – | 14% | 6% | 16% | – | 27% |
Public Policy Polling | January 26–27, 2011 | 519 | ± 4.3% | 47% | – | 6% | 7% | 19% | – | 20% |
Endorsements
Endorsements for Jon Bruning |
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Endorsements for Deb Fischer |
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Endorsements for Don Stenberg |
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Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Deb Fischer | 79,941 | 41.0 | |
Republican | Jon Bruning | 70,067 | 35.9 | |
Republican | Don Stenberg | 36,727 | 18.8 | |
Republican | Pat Flynn | 5,413 | 2.8 | |
Republican | Spencer Zimmerman | 1,601 | 0.8 | |
Republican | Sharyn Elander | 1,294 | 0.7 | |
Total votes | 195,043 | 100 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Bob Kerrey, (Democrat), former U.S. senator and former governor of Nebraska
- Deb Fischer, (Republican), state senator
Debates
The first debate took place at the Heartland Events Center during the Nebraska State Fair at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 25, 2012. Kerrey and Fischer participated.
The second debate took place on September 28, 2012, KETV-TV, Chamber of Commerce of Greater Omaha. Kerrey and Fischer participated.
The third debate took place on October 1, 2012, NET-TV. Kerrey and Fischer participated. Topics included agriculture policy, the economy, taxes and education.
- External links
- Complete video at Grand Island Independent, first debate, August 25, 2012
- Complete video and transcript at C-SPAN, second debate, September 28, 2012
- Complete video and transcript at C-SPAN, third debate, October 1, 2012
Fundraising
Candidate (party) | Receipts | Disbursements | Cash on hand | Debt |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bob Kerrey (D) | $4,877,704 | $4,582,224 | $295,480 | $0 |
Deb Fischer (R) | $4,536,837 | $3,472,721 | $1,458,122 | $65,000 |
Source: Federal Election Commission[41][42][43] |
Top contributors
Bob Kerrey | Contribution | Deb Fischer | Contribution |
---|---|---|---|
Rural Media Group | $62,500 | Elliott Management Corporation | $29,413 |
MacAndrews & Forbes | $51,000 | Hawkins Construction | $20,000 |
Tenet Healthcare | $25,650 | Kelly PAC | $20,000 |
Nix, Patterson & Roach | $25,000 | Tenaska Energy | $17,500 |
Allen & Company | $22,500 | Werner Enterprises | $15,250 |
Kirkland & Ellis | $21,500 | T&L Irrigation | $13,200 |
Level 3 Communications | $17,000 | Union Pacific | $11,500 |
Genworth Financial | $16,000 | Pinnacle Financial Partners | $10,500 |
Williams Kherkher | $16,000 | 21st Century Majority Fund | $10,000 |
Bank of America | $15,250 | AG Processing | $10,000 |
Top industries
Bob Kerrey | Contribution | Deb Fischer | Contribution |
---|---|---|---|
Lawyers/Law Firms | $293,434 | Leadership PACs | $165,500 |
Retired | $219,224 | Retired | $124,546 |
Leadership PACs | $203,500 | Agribusiness | $105,052 |
Financial Institutions | $182,150 | Commercial Banks | $54,990 |
Entertainment Industry | $119,000 | Financial Institutions | $54,416 |
Lobbyists | $104,400 | General Contractors | $54,300 |
Real Estate | $87,675 | Real Estate | $38,000 |
Manufacturing & Distributing | $61,700 | Insurance | $36,000 |
Education | $53,000 | Health Professionals | $31,850 |
Insurance | $51,500 | Electric Utilities | $29,900 |
Polling
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bob Kerrey (D) |
Deb Fischer (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
We Ask America | November 1, 2012 | 1,178 | ± 3.0% | 41% | 54% | — | 5% |
Omaha World-Herald | October 23–25, 2012 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 45% | 48% | — | 7% |
Pharos Research | October 19–21, 2012 | 783 | ± 3.5% | 46% | 48% | — | 6% |
Omaha World-Herald | September 17–20, 2012 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 42% | 52% | — | 6% |
WeAskAmerica | August 14, 2012 | 1,273 | ± 2.8% | 34% | 55% | — | 11% |
Rasmussen Reports | May 16, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 38% | 56% | 2% | 3% |
Public Policy Polling | March 22–25, 2012 | 1,028 | ± 3.1% | 38% | 48% | — | 14% |
Rasmussen Reports | March 5, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 34% | 46% | 10% | 10% |
- with Kerrey
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bob Kerrey (D) |
Jon Bruning (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling | March 22–25, 2012 | 1,028 | ± 3.1% | 37% | 54% | – | 9% |
Rasmussen Reports | March 5, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 33% | 55% | 4% | 7% |
Magellan Strategies | January 10–11, 2012 | 675 | ± 3.77% | 40% | 51% | – | 9% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Bob Kerrey (D) |
Don Stenberg (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling | March 22–25, 2012 | 1,028 | ± 3.1% | 38% | 52% | – | 10% |
Rasmussen Reports | March 5, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 34% | 52% | 5% | 9% |
Magellan Strategies | January 10–11, 2012 | 675 | ± 3.77% | 39% | 47% | – | 14% |
- With Lathrop
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Steve Lathrop (D) |
Jon Bruning (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magellan Strategies | January 10–11, 2012 | 675 | ± 3.77% | 29% | 52% | – | 19% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Steve Lathrop (D) |
Don Stenberg (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magellan Strategies | January 10–11, 2012 | 675 | ± 3.77% | 27% | 52% | – | 21% |
- With Nelson
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Ben Nelson (D) |
Jon Bruning (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magellan Strategies | November 20–21, 2011 | 645 | ± 3.9% | 39% | 45% | –– | 16% |
Public Policy Polling | September 30-October 2, 2011 | 739 | ± 3.6% | 42% | 46% | –– | 12% |
Public Policy Polling | January 26–27, 2011 | 977 | ± 3.1% | 39% | 50% | –– | 11% |
Magellan Strategies | December 15, 2010 | 1,789 | ± 2.3% | 38% | 52% | –– | 10% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Ben Nelson (D) |
Deb Fischer (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magellan Strategies | November 20–21, 2011 | 645 | ± 3.9% | 41% | 35% | –– | 24% |
Public Policy Polling | September 30-October 2, 2011 | 739 | ± 3.6% | 41% | 39% | –– | 20% |
Public Policy Polling | January 26–27, 2011 | 977 | ± 3.1% | 42% | 35% | –– | 22% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Ben Nelson (D) |
Pat Flynn (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling | September 30-October 2, 2011 | 739 | ± 3.6% | 43% | 36% | –– | 21% |
Public Policy Polling | January 26–27, 2011 | 977 | ± 3.1% | 42% | 33% | –– | 24% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Ben Nelson (D) |
Dave Heineman (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magellan Strategies | November 20–21, 2011 | 645 | ± 3.9% | 33% | 51% | –– | 16% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Ben Nelson (D) |
Don Stenberg (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magellan Strategies | November 20–21, 2011 | 645 | ± 3.9% | 40% | 41% | –– | 19% |
Public Policy Polling | September 30-October 2, 2011 | 739 | ± 3.6% | 41% | 44% | –– | 15% |
Public Policy Polling | January 26–27, 2011 | 977 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 45% | –– | 14% |
Magellan Strategies | December 15, 2010 | 1,789 | ± 2.3% | 40% | 46% | –– | 14% |
- With Robak
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Kim Robak (D) |
Jon Bruning (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magellan Strategies | January 10–11, 2012 | 675 | ± 3.77% | 34% | 51% | – | 15% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Kim Robak (D) |
Don Stenberg (R) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magellan Strategies | January 10–11, 2012 | 675 | ± 3.77% | 32% | 50% | – | 18% |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Deb Fischer | 455,593 | 57.8% | |
Democratic | Bob Kerrey | 332,979 | 42.2% | |
Total votes | 788,572 | 100.00 | ||
See also
- United States Senate elections, 2012
- United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2012
References
- ↑ "2012 Senatorial General Election Results." Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
- ↑ "Ben Nelson retiring from Senate". Politico. December 27, 2011.
- ↑ "Bob Kerrey will run for U.S. Senate". Omaha World-Herald. February 29, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ↑ "Omahan files as Democratic Senate candidate". Lincoln Journal Star. January 23, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 Scalora, Christine (May 6, 2012). "Alternative candidates: Issues drew them to Senate race". North Platte Bulletin. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
- ↑ Nebraska: Democratic Field Clears for Bob Kerrey | At the Races
- ↑ Beutler brushes off Senate speculation; Nelson staff mulls campaign funds
- 1 2 Shefte, Jordan (December 28, 2011). "Jane Kleeb comments on Senator Nelson's retirement". KHAS-TV. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
- ↑ Sullivan, Sean (February 13, 2012). "Lathrop Won't Run for Ben Nelson's Seat". National Journal. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- ↑ Ben Nelson retiring from Senate - John Bresnahan - POLITICO.com
- ↑ Robak out of Senate race, too - Omaha.com
- 1 2 "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska" (PDF). Secretary of State of Nebraska. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
- ↑ Tysver, Robynn (January 5, 2011). "Bruning makes Senate bid official". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
- ↑ Fischer kicks off U.S. Senate bid - Omaha.com
- ↑ Walton, Don (November 19, 2010). "Pat Flynn launches GOP Senate campaign". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
- ↑ Nebraska Treasurer to Enter GOP Senate Primary : Roll Call Politics
- ↑ Walton, Don (June 18, 2011). "Republican Senate field becoming crowded". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
- 1 2 Tysver, Robynn (December 15, 2010). "More Republicans eyeing Senate?". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ↑ Warneke, Kent (November 9, 2010). "Senate race doesn't interest Flood". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
- ↑ Walton, Don (January 9, 2012). "Fortenberry won't seek Senate seat". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- ↑ Paul HammelWORLD-HERALD BUREAU. "Heineman: No Senate bid in 2012". Omaha.com. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
- ↑ Nebraska Senate GOP Primary Gets a New Candidate : Roll Call Politics
- ↑ Walton, Don (January 3, 2011). "Don Walton: Electoral vote battle looms". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
- ↑ Beck, Margery A. (November 14, 2010). "US Senate race wide open for Neb. GOP candidates". Associated Press. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
- ↑ No Senate bid for Fortenberry - Omaha.com
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Jon Bruning for Senate - Endorsements
- ↑ Walton, Don (May 25, 2011). "Mike Huckabee endorses Jon Bruning". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
- ↑ Walton, Don (June 30, 2011). "Mike Flood endorses Bruning Senate bid". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- ↑ "Arizona sheriff endorses Bruning". Lincoln Journal Star. February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ Toeplitz, Shira (May 11, 2011). "Tea Party Express Endorses Jon Bruning in Nebraska". Roll Call. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
- ↑ American Future Fund Political Action
- ↑ Walton, Don (May 10, 2012). "Fortenberry endorsement adds to Fischer surge". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- 1 2 Livingston, Abby (May 9, 2012). "Sarah Palin Endorses Deb Fischer in Nebraska Senate Race". Roll Call. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ↑ Protecting Life : Deb Fischer 2012
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Endorsements | Stenberg for Senate 2012
- ↑ Walton, Don (November 8, 2011). "DeMint endorses Stenberg, sponsors fundraising drive". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
- ↑ Pershing, Ben (October 18, 2011). "Mike Lee looks to carve a niche on the campaign trail". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
- ↑ Ken Blackwell, an NRA & Club for Growth Board Member, Endorses Don Stenberg in Nebraska
- ↑ Stenberg wins Mark Levin primary - David Catanese - POLITICO.com
- ↑ FreedomWorks PAC Endorses Don Stenberg in the Nebraska Senate Race | Business Wire
- ↑ Kerrey Campaign Finances
- ↑ Fischer
- ↑ Anderson
- ↑ [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/contrib.php?cycle=2012&id=NES1|Center for Responsive Politics
- ↑ contributors by industry (opensecrets.org)
- ↑ "Official Results of Nebraska General Election - November 6, 2012". Nebraska Secretary of State. p. 12. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
External links
- Elections from the Nebraska Secretary of State
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Outside spending at Sunlight Foundation
- Candidate issue positions at On the Issues
- Election news coverage at the Omaha World-Herald
- Official campaign websites