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.
Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Ben Nelson chose to retire instead of seeking a third term.
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
Candidates
Declared
- Bob Kerrey, former U.S. Senator and former governor of Nebraska
- Steven Lustgarten, video production company owner
- Larry Marvin, landlord and perennial candidate
- Sherman Yates
Withdrew
- Chuck Hassebrook, Regent of the University of Nebraska
Declined
- Chris Beutler, Mayor of Lincoln
- Jane Kleeb, founder and director of Bold Nebraska
- Scott Kleeb, businessman, Democratic nominee for the 3rd congressional district in 2006 and for the U.S. Senate in 2008
- Steve Lathrop, state senator
- Ben Nelson, incumbent U.S. senator
- Kim Robak, former lieutenant governor
Endorsements
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jon Bruning, Attorney General of Nebraska
- Sharyn Elander
- Deb Fischer, state senator
- Pat Flynn, financial adviser
- Don Stenberg, treasurer of Nebraska, former attorney general of Nebraska and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2000
- Spencer Zimmerman, truck driver and Air Force veteran
Declined
- Bob Bennie, businessman
- Rex Fisher, businessman
- Mike Flood, speaker of the Nebraska Legislature
- Jeff Fortenberry, U.S. representative
- Dave Heineman, Governor of Nebraska
- Kay Orr, former governor of Nebraska
- Mike Simmonds, businessman
- Adrian Smith, U.S. Representative
- Lee Terry, U.S. Representative
Polling
Endorsements
Results
General election
Candidates
- Bob Kerrey,, former U.S. senator and former governor of Nebraska
- Deb Fischer,, state senator
Debates
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
- at Grand Island Independent, first debate, August 25, 2012
- , September 28, 2012 - C-SPAN
- , October 1, 2012 - C-SPAN
Fundraising
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 |
Predictions
Polling
Hypothetical polling | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
; With Kerrey Results |