2012 United States Senate election in Nebraska

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.

2012 United States Senate election in Nebraska
November 6, 2012
 
Nominee Deb Fischer Bob Kerrey
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 455,593 332,979
Percentage 57.8% 42.2%
County results
Fischer:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Kerrey:      50–60%
U.S. senator before election

Ben Nelson
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator

Deb Fischer
Republican

Elections in Nebraska
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Initiative 416
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Mayoral elections

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Ben Nelson chose to retire instead of seeking a third term.[1] 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. Her election marked the first time since 1970 that a Republican was elected to Nebraska's Class 1 Senate seat, as well as the first time that a woman was elected to a full Senate term in the state's history.

Democratic primary

Declared
  • Bob Kerrey, former U.S. Senator and former governor of Nebraska[2]
  • Steven Lustgarten, video production company owner[3]
  • Larry Marvin, landlord and perennial candidate[4]
  • Sherman Yates[4]

Withdrew

Declined

Endorsements
Bob Kerrey

Results
Democratic primary results[12]
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

Declined

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Jon
Bruning		 Sharyn
Elander		 Deb
Fischer		 Pat
Flynn		 Don
Stenberg		 Spencer
Zimmerman		 Undecided
Public Policy Polling January 26–27, 2011 519 ±4.3% 47% – 6% 7% 19% – 20%
Public Policy Polling September 30 – October 2, 2011 400 ±4.9% 37% – 14% 6% 16% – 27%
Public Policy Polling March 22–25, 2012 440 ±4.7% 46% 3% 12% 4% 18% 0% 18%
We Ask America May 6, 2012 1,173 ±2.9% 42.2% 3.4% 25.9% 4% 22.5% 2% –
We Ask America May 13, 2012 1,109 ±2.95% 34% 4% 39% 3% 18% 2% –
Public Policy Polling May 14, 2012 272 ±5.9% 33% 1% 37% 2% 17% 1% 7%

Endorsements
Jon Bruning
Deb Fischer
Don Stenberg

Results
Republican primary results[12]
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 195,043 100.0%

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

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[42][43][44]

Top contributors

[45]

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

[46]

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

Predictions
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[47] Lean R (flip) November 1, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[48] Likely R (flip) November 5, 2012
Rothenberg Political Report[49] Likely R (flip) November 2, 2012
RealClearPolitics[50] Lean R (flip) November 5, 2012

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Bob
Kerrey (D)		 Deb
Fischer (R)		 Other Undecided
Rasmussen Reports March 5, 2012 500 ±4.5% 34% 46% 10% 10%
Public Policy Polling March 22–25, 2012 1,028 ±3.1% 38% 48% — 14%
Rasmussen Reports May 16, 2012 500 ±4.5% 38% 56% 2% 3%
WeAskAmerica August 14, 2012 1,273 ±2.8% 34% 55% — 11%
Omaha World-Herald September 17–20, 2012 800 ±3.5% 42% 52% — 6%
Pharos Research October 19–21, 2012 783 ±3.5% 46% 48% — 6%
Omaha World-Herald October 23–25, 2012 800 ±3.5% 45% 48% — 7%
We Ask America November 1, 2012 1,178 ±3.0% 41% 54% — 5%

Results
United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2012[51]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Deb Fischer 455,593 57.77% +21.65%
Democratic Bob Kerrey 332,979 42.23% -21.65%
Total votes 788,572 100.00% N/A
Republican gain from Democratic

See also

References
  1. "Ben Nelson retiring from Senate". Politico. December 27, 2011.
  2. "Bob Kerrey will run for U.S. Senate". Omaha World-Herald. February 29, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  3. "Omahan files as Democratic Senate candidate". Lincoln Journal Star. January 23, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  4. Scalora, Christine (May 6, 2012). "Alternative candidates: Issues drew them to Senate race". North Platte Bulletin. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  5. "Nebraska: Democratic Field Clears for Bob Kerrey | At the Races". Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  6. Beutler brushes off Senate speculation; Nelson staff mulls campaign funds
  7. Shefte, Jordan (December 28, 2011). "Jane Kleeb comments on Senator Nelson's retirement". KHAS-TV. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  8. Sullivan, Sean (February 13, 2012). "Lathrop Won't Run for Ben Nelson's Seat". National Journal. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  9. Ben Nelson retiring from Senate - John Bresnahan - POLITICO.com
  10. Robak out of Senate race, too - Omaha.com
  12. "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska" (PDF). Secretary of State of Nebraska. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  13. Tysver, Robynn (January 5, 2011). "Bruning makes Senate bid official". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  14. Fischer kicks off U.S. Senate bid - Omaha.com
  15. Walton, Don (November 19, 2010). "Pat Flynn launches GOP Senate campaign". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  16. Nebraska Treasurer to Enter GOP Senate Primary : Roll Call Politics
  17. Walton, Don (June 18, 2011). "Republican Senate field becoming crowded". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  18. Tysver, Robynn (December 15, 2010). "More Republicans eyeing Senate?". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  19. Warneke, Kent (November 9, 2010). "Senate race doesn't interest Flood". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
  20. Walton, Don (January 9, 2012). "Fortenberry won't seek Senate seat". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  21. Paul HammelWORLD-HERALD BUREAU. "Heineman: No Senate bid in 2012". Omaha.com. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  22. Nebraska Senate GOP Primary Gets a New Candidate : Roll Call Politics
  23. Walton, Don (January 3, 2011). "Don Walton: Electoral vote battle looms". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  24. Beck, Margery A. (November 14, 2010). "US Senate race wide open for Neb. GOP candidates". Associated Press. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  25. No Senate bid for Fortenberry - Omaha.com
  26. "Jon Bruning for Senate - Endorsements". Archived from the original on March 15, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  27. Walton, Don (May 25, 2011). "Mike Huckabee endorses Jon Bruning". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  28. Walton, Don (June 30, 2011). "Mike Flood endorses Bruning Senate bid". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  29. "Arizona sheriff endorses Bruning". Lincoln Journal Star. February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  30. https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=11548
  31. Toeplitz, Shira (May 11, 2011). "Tea Party Express Endorses Jon Bruning in Nebraska". Roll Call. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  32. "American Future Fund Political Action". Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  33. Walton, Don (May 10, 2012). "Fortenberry endorsement adds to Fischer surge". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  34. Livingston, Abby (May 9, 2012). "Sarah Palin Endorses Deb Fischer in Nebraska Senate Race". Roll Call. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  35. "Protecting Life : Deb Fischer 2012". Archived from the original on May 20, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  36. "Endorsements | Stenberg for Senate 2012". Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  37. Walton, Don (November 8, 2011). "DeMint endorses Stenberg, sponsors fundraising drive". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  38. Pershing, Ben (October 18, 2011). "Mike Lee looks to carve a niche on the campaign trail". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  39. Ken Blackwell, an NRA & Club for Growth Board Member, Endorses Don Stenberg in Nebraska
  40. Stenberg wins Mark Levin primary - David Catanese - POLITICO.com
  41. FreedomWorks PAC Endorses Don Stenberg in the Nebraska Senate Race | Business Wire
  42. |Bob Kerrey Campaign Finances
  43. |Deb Fischer
  44. |Russell Anderson
  45. [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/contrib.php?cycle=2012&id=NES1%7CCenter for Responsive Politics
  46. contributors by industry (opensecrets.org)
  47. "2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  48. "2012 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  49. "2012 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  50. "2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  51. "Official Results of Nebraska General Election - November 6, 2012". Nebraska Secretary of State. p. 12. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
Official campaign websites
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