1996 United States Senate election in Nebraska explained

Election Name:1996 United States Senate election in Nebraska
Country:Nebraska
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1990 United States Senate election in Nebraska
Previous Year:1990
Next Election:2002 United States Senate election in Nebraska
Next Year:2002
Election Date:November 5, 1996
Image1:Hagel BioGuide.jpg
Nominee1:Chuck Hagel
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:379,933
Percentage1:56.14%
Nominee2:Ben Nelson
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:281,904
Percentage2:41.65%
Map Size:300px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:J. James Exon
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Chuck Hagel
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1996 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator J. James Exon decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. Republican nominee Chuck Hagel won the open seat by 14 points, defeating incumbent Democratic governor Ben Nelson. Nelson would later be elected to Nebraska's other U.S. Senate seat in 2000 when Bob Kerrey retired and served alongside Hagel until 2009, when Hagel left the Senate after retiring.

As of, this is the last time an incumbent governor failed to hold a Senate seat for his party. This was also the first time since Carl Curtis was elected to his final term in 1972 that a Republican was elected to either of Nebraska's Senate seats.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Candidates

Results

See also