Nebraska U.S. Senate election, 2006
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Ben Nelson (D)
- Senator: Ben Nelson
- State: NE
- Age in '06: 65 (Retirement unlikely)
- Prognosis: Likely Dem (11/04)
Challengers
- Pete Ricketts (R) (cw) - former state AG
- Ricketts beat Don Stenberg and David Kramer in the primary.
Results
- Nelson won 64-36%
Important Dates
- Filing Deadline (Major Parties): March 1, 2006=
- Filing Deadline (Independents): August 29, 2006=
- Primary: May 9, 2006
Previous Elections
- 2000: 51%/49% over Don Stenberg (R) (open seat)
Nebraska presidential election results
- 2004: Bush 67 / Kerry 32
- 2000: Bush 63 / Gore 33
Narrative
Ben Nelson was a popular (80% approval rating) Governor with a history of winning statewide elections in Nebraska. The GOP may try to 'Daschle' him given the strong Republican party in that state, but he has a good chance of holding off any challengers aside from Johanns who would give him a fight. A hypothetical poll shows Nelson beating Johanns 41%-38% with 21% undecided.
Johanns, however, was picked to be the Secretary of Agriculture in the Bush II administration and has officially ruled out a run for Senate in '06. Nelson had already raised a million dollar warchest as of later '04, and with Johanns out of the picture should be able to fight off most Republican challengers.
Don Stenberg appears to be the frontrunner for the GOP at this point. Stenberg lost to Nelson in a close election in 2000 for the seat vacated by Democrat Bob Kerrey. Also running for Senate are former Ameritrade COO Pete Ricketts, and former state GOP chair David Kramer. Ricketts has spent $4.5 million of his own money on this race, which he entered at the urging of Karl Rove.
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R)
- Sen. Chuck Hagel (R)
- Next Election in 2008
