Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) announced some time ago that he would retire from the Senate. The search was then on for candidates from both parties to replace him. One of the top choices for the Republican side was Gov. Dave Heineman, but he decided not to run. The top choice for the Democratic side was Sen. Bob Kerrey, who was senator from Nebraska from 1989 to 2001 and Governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987. A week ago, the seat looked like a likely Republican pickup. Current candidates for the Republicans include attorney general Jon Bruning, state senator Deb Fischer, former attorney general Don Stenberg, insurance executive and financial adviser Pat Flynn and Air Force veteran Spencer Zimmerman. For the Democrats, Chuck Hassebrook (a regent of the University of Nebraska) and Steven Lustgarten, a journalist and filmmaker, are running.
The politics of Nebraska
Nebraska is generally a Republican state. In 2008, it gave McCain 57 percent to 42 percent for Obama, and in 2004 it gave Bush a landslide 66 percent, with John Kerry getting only 33 percent. Its other senator, Mike Johanns, won easily in 2008 against Scott Kleeb, Ben Nelson, the retiring senator, was one of the most conservative Democrats in the Senate, in fact, per VoteView he was the most conservative. Indeed, back when he was in the Senate, Bob Kerrey was also toward the conservative side of the Democratic Party.
Does Bob Kerrey have a chance?
In January, Magellan Strategies had Kerrey losing to both Bruning (by 11 points) and Stenberg (by 8). However, that was before he announced and, in addition, Magellan is a Republican firm. Further, according to Real Clear Politics, some private polls show Kerrey beating Bruning, Stenberg and Fischer. Given Kerrey’s announcement, we can expect many more polls in the coming days, but as of now, it seems fair to call the Nebraska Senate race a toss-up .