2000 United States Senate election in Nebraska

The 2000 United States election in Nebraska was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey retired after two terms in office, and Democrat Ben Nelson, a former two-term governor, won the open seat. As of 2021, this is the most recent statewide election in Nebraska won by a Democrat who was not the incumbent.

2000 United States Senate election in Nebraska

November 7, 2000

Nominee Ben Nelson Don Stenberg Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 353,093 337,977 Percentage 51.0% 48.8%

County results Nelson:      50–60%      60–70% Stenberg:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Bob Kerrey Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Ben Nelson Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ben Nelson, former Governor of Nebraska and 1996 Democratic nominee for the United States Senate
• Al Hamburg, perennial candidate

Results

Democratic primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ben Nelson	105,661	92.12%
	Democratic	Al Hamburg	8,482	7.39%
	Democratic	Write-ins	558	0.49%
Total votes			114,701	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Don Stenberg, Attorney General of Nebraska
• Scott Moore, Secretary of State of Nebraska
• David Hergert
• George Grogan
• John DeCamp, former State Senator
• Elliott Rustad

Results

Republican primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Don Stenberg	94,394	49.99%
	Republican	Scott Moore	41,120	21.77%
	Republican	David Hergert	32,228	17.07%
	Republican	George Grogan	8,293	4.39%
	Republican	John DeCamp	7,469	3.96%
	Republican	Elliott Rustad	5,317	2.82%
	Republican	Write-ins	21	0.01%
Total votes			188,842	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Ben Nelson (D), former Governor of Nebraska and 1996 Democratic nominee for the United States Senate
• Don Stenberg (R), Attorney General of Nebraska

Debates

• Complete video of debate, September 21, 2000

Results

General election results[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Ben Nelson	353,093	51.00%	-3.78%
	Republican	Don Stenberg	337,977	48.82%	+3.81%
	Write-ins		1,280	0.18%
Majority			15,116	2.18%	-7.59%
Turnout			692,350
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 2000 United States Senate elections

References

1. http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/prev_elec/2000/dem_senate.html
2. http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/prev_elec/2000/rep_senate.html
3. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2000/2000Stat.htm