Nebraska is the 4th most conservative state, voting
30.8% more Republican in the 2004 presidential elections than the national average.
Partisan Trend
Based on voting patterns since 1992, Nebraska is trending REPUBLICAN.
GOP Trend Ranking
Nebraska ranks 16th among the 50 states.
Senate Race
Incumbent: Democrat Ben Nelson is seeking re-election for the first time in 2006. He faced no primary opposition.
GOP Candidates
David Kramer - Nebraska State GOP Chairman
Donald Stenberg - Former Nebraska Attorney General
Peter Ricketts - Former COO of Ameritrade
Democrat Candidates
Ben Nelson - Incumbent
Party nominee -
Election Projection: Ben Nelson +19.0
Polling Data
Polling Firm
Date
Ricketts
Nelson
Rasmussen
10/20
34%
54%
Projection Data - positive numbers favor the incumbent party
Index
Raw value
Weight
Factor
Head-to head polls
20.0
80%
16.0
Incumbent approval
31
15%
4.7
State partisanship
-33.2
5%
-1.7
Projection History
Date
Projection
Rating
Final Projection
Nelson +19.0
Strong DEM Hold
October 27, 2006
Nelson +19.0
Strong DEM Hold
October 21, 2006
Nelson +18.4
Strong DEM Hold
October 7, 2006
Nelson +20.8
Strong DEM Hold
August 18, 2006
Nelson +22.7
Strong DEM Hold
July 31, 2006
Nelson +25.3
Strong DEM Hold
July 18, 2006
Nelson +26.3
Strong DEM Hold
Preliminary
-----
Strong DEM Hold
Governor's Race
Incumbent: Republican Dave Heineman assumed office when former Governor Mike Johanns was appointed Secretary of Agriculture. Heineman
is seeking election to a first full term in 2006. He faced primary opposition.
GOP Candidates
Dave Heineman - Acting Governor of Nebraska
Tom Osborne - Nebraska Representative to the U.S. House
David Nabity - Businessman
Democrat Candidates
David Hahn - Attorney
Party nominee -
Election Projection: Dave Heineman +46.8
Polling Data
Polling Firm
Date
Heineman
Hahn
Rasmussen
10/20
70%
22%
Projection Data - positive numbers favor the incumbent party
Index
Raw value
Weight
Factor
Head-to head polls
48.0
80%
38.4
Incumbent approval
45
15%
6.8
State partisanship
33.2
5%
1.7
Projection History
Date
Projection
Rating
Final Projection
Heineman +46.8
Strong GOP Hold
October 23, 2006
Heineman +46.8
Strong GOP Hold
October 21, 2006
Heineman +47.1
Strong GOP Hold
September 26, 2006
Heineman +51.9
Strong GOP Hold
September 25, 2006
Heineman +51.1
Strong GOP Hold
August 27, 2006
Heineman +49.4
Strong GOP Hold
August 18, 2006
Heineman +50.2
Strong GOP Hold
July 23, 2006
Heineman +42.6
Strong GOP Hold
July 18, 2006
Heineman +45.0
Strong GOP Hold
Preliminary
-----
Strong GOP Hold
Competitive House Races
No competitive races in 2006
Other House Races
Projected winner listed first
District 1: Jeff Fortenberry (R)-inc vs. Maxine Moul (D)
District 2: Lee Terry (R)-inc vs. Jim Esch (D)
District 3: OPEN: Adrian Smith (R) vs. Scott Kleeb (D)
Election Timeline
February 15, 2006 - Incumbent filing deadline
March 1, 2006 - Non-incumbent filing deadline
May 9, 2006 - Primary elections
November 7, 2006 - Election day
Current Partisan Breakdown
National Delegation
Senators
1 GOP, 1 DEM
Representatives
3 GOP
State Government
Governor
GOP
Lt. Governor - tied to Governor
vacant
State Senate
49 members
Current Office Holders
Governor: Dave Heinaman (R) - up for first full-term election in 2006
Senior Senator: Chuck Hagel (R) - 2nd term, up for re-election in 2008
Junior Senator: Ben Nelson (R) - 1st term, up for re-election in 2006
House District 1: Jeff Fortenberry (R) - 1st term
House District 2: Lee Terry (R) - 4th term
House District 3: Tom Osborne (R) - 3rd term (running for Governor)
