Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (May 12 Democratic primary)
- Primary date: May 12
- Primary type: Semi-closed; top-two (state leg. races only)
- Registration deadline(s): April 24 (online, postmarked, hand-delivered state agencies); May 1 (hand-delivered to local election offices)
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: No
- Early voting starts: April 13
- Absentee/mail voting deadline(s): May 12 (received)
- Voter ID: No ID
- Poll times: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Central time zone); 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Mountain time zone)
2022 →
← 2018
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Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District |
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Democratic primary Republican primary General election |
Election details |
Filing deadline: March 2, 2020 |
Primary: May 12, 2020 General: November 3, 2020 Pre-election incumbent: Don Bacon (Republican) |
How to vote |
Poll times: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Central time zone); 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Mountain time zone) Voting in Nebraska |
Race ratings |
Inside Elections: Tilt Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Republican |
Ballotpedia analysis |
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020 |
See also |
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd Nebraska elections, 2020 U.S. Congress elections, 2020 U.S. Senate elections, 2020 U.S. House elections, 2020 |
Kara Eastman defeated Ann Ashford and Gladys Harrison in the Democratic primary for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District on May 12, 2020. Eastman received 61.8% of the vote, followed by Ashford with 31.6% and Harrison with 6.6%. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, every eligible voter received an absentee ballot application in the mail. In-person voting locations remained open as planned.
Healthcare was a distinguishing issue in the race. Eastman said a Medicare for All healthcare plan "would increase efficiencies, reduce overhead costs, allow individuals to choose their provider instead of having to stay in network, eliminate premiums and deductibles, and free employers from having to administer healthcare plans." Ashford, the wife of former Congressman Brad Ashford, criticized Eastman's healthcare policy and said it could not pass in a divided Congress. She said she would support strengthening the Affordable Care Act and offering Medicare on the market as a public option. Harrison said Medicare for All might detract from union-negotiated benefits and also supported a public Medicare option.[1][2][3]
Former Nebraska governors and U.S. senators Ben Nelson and Bob Kerrey endorsed Ashford. Nelson said she would take a "realistic approach when working for the benefit of all of us."[4] U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and groups like Justice Democrats and Democracy for America endorsed Eastman. Justice Democrats Executive Director Alexandra Rojas said Eastman was "part of a new generation of Democrats who will fight for Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, free college, and ending mass incarceration and deportation."[5] For a complete list of endorsements, click here.
In the 2018 general election, incumbent Don Bacon (R) defeated Eastman (D) 51% to 49%. In 2016, Bacon defeated then-incumbent Brad Ashford (D) 48.9% to 47.7%. The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+4, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were four percentage points more Republican than the national average.[6] Click here to learn more about what was at stake in the general election.
This page focuses on Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary. For more in-depth information on the district's Republican primary and the general election, see the following pages:
- Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (May 12 Republican primary)
- Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020
Election procedure changes in 2020
Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.
Nebraska modified its primary election process as follows:
- Voting procedures: Mail-in ballots sent to all registered voters in the primary election.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Candidates and election results
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kara Eastman | 62.2 | 45,953 |
![]() | Ann Ashford | 31.2 | 23,059 | |
Gladys Harrison | 6.7 | 4,920 |
Total votes: 73,932 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Morgann Freeman (D)
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Voting in the May 12 election
- See also: Voting in Nebraska
This information was current as of 3:30 p.m. Central Time on May 11, 2020.
What changes have been made to voting procedure as a result of the pandemic?
- On March 26, 2020, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) and Secretary of State Bob Evnen (R) announced that every registered voter would be mailed an absentee ballot application. Voters were still able to vote in person.[7]
When did my mail ballot need to be returned by?
- Nebraska law requires that mail-in ballots be received by election clerks' offices by the time polls close on Election Day. This means that a ballot needed to be received by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12. Voters could have directly submitted their mail-in ballot at a dropbox rather than sending it in via mail.[8]
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[9] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Ashford received a bachelor's degree in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1982, and a law degree from Creighton University in 1985. As of the 2020 election cycle, she had worked as an attorney and a human resources manager.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 in 2020.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors (2015-2019)
Biography: Eastman received a bachelor's degree in sociology and English from Pitzer College and a master's in clinical social work from Loyola University. She founded the nonprofit Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance in 2006. Eastman was a board member of the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands and was an appointed member of the Mayor of Omaha's Fair Housing Advisory Board. As of the 2020 election, she was president of Kara Eastman Partners, a nonprofit consulting business.
Show sources
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 in 2020.
Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Harrison worked at U.S. West Communications for 22 years and became a member and steward of the Communications Workers of America, Local 7400 union. In 2007, she founded a restaurant with her mother that Harrison owned and operated as of the 2020 election cycle.
Show sources
Sources: Gladys Harrison 2020 campaign website, "Home," accessed April 12, 2020 | Omaha Word-Herald, "Democrats vying to face Bacon in 2nd District race square off for first time," accessed April 12, 2020 | YouTube, "Gladys Harrison for Congress 3/20," accessed April 12, 2020|; Gladys Harrison 2020 campaign website, "About Gladys," accessed April 12, 2020
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 in 2020.
Endorsements
This section lists endorsements issued in this election. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.
Click on the links below to explore each candidate's full list of endorsements on their campaign websites:
Democratic primary endorsements | |||
---|---|---|---|
Endorsement | Ashford | Eastman | Harrison |
Elected officials | |||
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren[10] | ✔ | ||
Congressman John Delaney[4] | ✔ | ||
Congressman Ro Khanna[10] | ✔ | ||
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester[10] | ✔ | ||
State Senator Steve Lathrop[4] | ✔ | ||
State Senator Megan Hunt[10] | ✔ | ||
State Senator Justin Wayne[10] | ✔ | ||
Omaha Councilwoman Brenda Council[10] | ✔ | ||
Omaha Councilman Ben Gray[10] | ✔ | ||
Omaha Councilman Chris Jerram[4] | ✔ | ||
Omaha Public School Board President Marque Snow[10] | ✔ | ||
Omaha Public School Board Member Amanda Ryan[10] | ✔ | ||
Ralston School Board Member Jay Irwin[10] | ✔ | ||
Metro Community College Board Chair Maureen Monahan[4] | ✔ | ||
Metro Community College Board Member Roger Garcia[10] | ✔ | ||
Metro Community College Board Member Michael Young[10] | ✔ | ||
Metro Utilities Board of Directors Member Gwen Howard[4] | ✔ | ||
Metro Utilities Board of Directors Member Jim Begley[4] | ✔ | ||
Douglas County Commissioner Mike Boyle[10] | ✔ | ||
Ralston School Board Member Jay Irwin[10] | ✔ | ||
Westside School Board Treasurer Doug Krenzer[4] | ✔ | ||
Millard Public School Board Treasurer Amanda McGill Johnson[4] | ✔ | ||
Nebraska State Education Commissioner Roger Breed[4] | ✔ | ||
Individuals | |||
Former U.S. Senator Ben Nelson[4] | ✔ | ||
Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey[4] | ✔ | ||
Former Congressman John Cavanaugh[4] | ✔ | ||
Former Congressman Brad Ashford[4] | ✔ | ||
Former Lt. Gov. Kim Robak[4] | ✔ | ||
Former State Senator Bob Krist[4] | ✔ | ||
Former State Senator Burke Harr[4] | ✔ | ||
Former State Senator Tanya Cook[10] | ✔ | ||
Former Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle[10] | ✔ | ||
Former Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey[10] | ✔ | ||
Former Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler[4] | ✔ | ||
Former Omaha School Board Member Marian Fey[10] | ✔ | ||
Organizations | |||
National Organization for Women (NOW) PAC[10] | ✔ | ||
Nebraska Association of Public Employees AFSCME Local 61[10] | ✔ | ||
SMART Union[10] | ✔ | ||
Leadership Now Project[10] | ✔ | ||
Sierra Club[10] | ✔ | ||
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Local 88[10] | ✔ | ||
U.S. Congressional Progressive Caucus[10] | ✔ | ||
Medicare for All PAC[10] | ✔ | ||
Blue America[10] | ✔ | ||
#VoteProChoice[10] | ✔ | ||
Justice Democrats[10] | ✔ | ||
Democracy for America[10] | ✔ | ||
Progressive Change Campaign Committee[10] | ✔ | ||
The Six PAC[10] | ✔ | ||
Courage to Change PAC[10] | ✔ | ||
Demand Universal Health Care[10] | ✔ | ||
Progressive Democrats of America[10] | ✔ | ||
Food and Water Action PAC[10] | ✔ | ||
Blue Majority PAC[10] | ✔ | ||
Defend our Parks PAC[10] | ✔ | ||
Women for Justice[10] | ✔ | ||
Brand New Congress[10] | ✔ | ||
90 For 90[10] | ✔ | ||
Peace Action[10] | ✔ | ||
People for the American Way[10] | ✔ | ||
Nebraska Local SEIU 226[4] | ✔ | ||
UA Steamfitters & Plumbers Local Union 464[4] | ✔ |
Campaign themes
The following campaign themes and policy positions were listed on the candidates' campaign websites in April 2020, if available.
Ann Ashford
“ |
Healthcare
Education and Student Debt
Gun Violence
Infrastructure
International Relations
Women’s Issues
Immigration
Border Control
Trade
Climate
|
” |
—Ann Ashford 2020 campaign website[1] |
Kara Eastman
“ |
The Economy: We have a $2 trillion investment gap in infrastructure, and we must restore our global competitive advantage through public-private partnerships and large investments in infrastructure to provide well-paying jobs across our country. I fully support Davis-Bacon wages on these kinds of federal projects. We also must raise the minimum wage and continue to foster trades programs within our community college system. I support economic opportunities that combat climate change as a way to create great jobs locally and invest in energy efficient housing. We must expand lending opportunities from credit unions and lower interest rates to small businesses, especially those in blighted communities, which in turn create jobs. We must ensure that all our citizens can achieve the American dream. Gun Safety: As a mom, I am outraged by the lack of movement we have seen in the country on this issue. Groups like the NRA have commandeered the discussion. This is a public health menace, and the common-sense solutions are supported by 85 to 90% of Americans. Universal background checks, mandatory waiting periods, smart technology, age requirements, and a ban on the sale of weapons of war would help ensure our children are not gunned down in their schools or playgrounds. Health Care: I believe that healthcare is a human right and that no one in the United States should have to choose between seeking medical care and putting food on the table. Ninety-two percent of Americans favor lower prescription drug prices and over 70% favor importing medicine from Canada. The federal government is slated to spend over $34 trillion on healthcare over the next decade. Transforming our healthcare system would save the government over $2 trillion over that same period. It would increase efficiencies, reduce overhead costs, allow individuals to choose their provider instead of having to stay in network, eliminate premiums and deductibles, and free employers from having to administer healthcare plans. Immigration: NE-CD2 has over 100,000 immigrants who contribute to key sectors of our economy and help build the fabric of our diverse community. The current administration’s policies of separating families, imprisoning babies without access to basic needs, and rounding up hard-working immigrants is immoral and un-American. They are more concerned with scoring political points with their base than they are with border security. Now is the time for us to make significant investments in smart technology, work-force development, and foreign aid. Other solutions that transform our immigration system include hiring more immigration judges and fully staffing ports of entry. We must make law-abiding Dreamers citizens and ensure that immigrants who follow the law can earn a lawful presence in our country. Income Inequality: The World Bank puts our income inequality on par with some of the poorest and unequal nations in the world. This is dangerous for our economy and damaging to our collective sense of morality. The GOP Tax Plan was a clear hand-out to the very wealthy and large corporations that simply do not need welfare. It was shown to have raised taxes on the middle class and exempted those who can afford to pay their fair share - this is not fiscal responsibility. We need to ensure that all Americans have a livable wage, are not drowning in student loans and healthcare costs, have healthy, affordable housing, and have a way to care for their children while they go to work. We also need to regulate banks and Wall Street and tax financial transactions to help pay down our debt. Racial and Social Justice: I have spent my career fighting for racial and social justice, working in blighted communities, and running nonprofit organizations that center on empowering communities of color. In Omaha, I have focused my work on jobs creation and economic and community development, specifically in North and South Omaha. In Congress, I will work to repair the systemic inequalities people of color face in our district. This includes focusing on economic inequality, access to reliable transportation, healthy, affordable housing, debt-free education, and workforce development. This will also include reforming our criminal justice system by ending the school to prison pipeline, through bail reform and by the decriminalization of marijuana. Restoring our Democracy: I support a government which is efficient and transparent. The current administration has too many ties to large corporations, not to mention business arrangements with some of our foreign adversaries. Similarly, my Republican opponent accepts a great deal of corporate PAC money from special interests. This is wrong, and I will not accept corporate PAC dollars. I also think “dark” money should not be allowed to corrupt our elections. Therefore, I stand against the 2010 Supreme Court decision Citizens United. Gerrymandering must be ended, and citizen commissions should draw fair, non-partisan districts. Participation in our electoral democracy must be increased through automatic voter registration and by ending voter suppression tactics. Finally, I have seen how difficult it is for candidates who do not come from wealth to raise funds and want to move toward public funding of federal election campaigns. Veteran's Affairs: The Department of Veterans Affairs will have to serve well over 4 million veterans in the next 20 years. One trillion dollars of the costs of our post-9/11 wars are directly tied to healthcare for vets. I support ensuring the VA provides timely, high quality healthcare, including dental care, to veterans. I also support programs that address some of the unmet needs of veterans such as education, mental health, and housing. Women's Rights and Family: I trust women to make decisions about their own health and about their families, and I support the ideal of reproductive justice. I believe that access to birth control is a fundamental right of privacy in the United States. Pre-K schooling must be available to all, so that parents are able to provide their children with a quality early education. I also passionately support family leave and paid sick days as well as equal pay for women. In addition, there must be public and private investments in childcare to ensure these kinds of services are accessible to all.[11] |
” |
—Kara Eastman 2020 campaign website[2] |
Gladys Harrison
“ |
40 years ago, it was commonplace for people to be able to graduate from high school or college and find a good job with good benefits that allowed them to buy a home, send their children to college, save for retirement, buy a new car every few years, take a family vacation, and even leave a little money to their children to help them build for their future. Nothing extravagant; just what most people think of as the American dream. Over the last few decades, the American dream has become just that: A dream and not an achievable reality. The voice of working-class and middle-class Americans have been drowned out by lobbyists and special interest groups. This, combined with the astronomical cost of health care, the burden of student debt, and the lack of jobs that pay a decent wage, have led many Americans to have to work two or even three jobs just to make ends meet. Having had the experience of raising 3 children as a single parent and owning a small business, I am dealing with many of these same issues. For far too long we have not had a seat at the table, and our voices are not being heard by those we have elected to represent us. This is why I have decided to run for Congress in Nebraska’s 2nd district. I am concerned that the rhetoric coming from some politicians in Washington is trying to divide us based on superficial differences. In Congress, I will be a voice for working- and middle-class families in this district, to find solutions based on values that we all have in common: To have a good-paying job, to provide for our families, to have a nice home in a safe neighborhood, to have good schools for our children, and to have affordable, quality healthcare. My parents taught me that being of service is the most important characteristic of a leader. Serving the needs of every Nebraskan will be my top priority as your Congresswoman.[11] |
” |
—Gladys Harrison 2020 campaign website[3] |
Campaign advertisements
This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.
Ann Ashford
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Kara Eastman
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Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
If you are aware of polls conducted in this race, please email us.
Campaign finance
This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.[12] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.[13] The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.
Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ann Ashford | Democratic Party | $511,334 | $511,256 | $78 | As of December 31, 2020 |
Kara Eastman | Democratic Party | $4,524,583 | $4,578,199 | $29,232 | As of December 31, 2020 |
Gladys Harrison | Democratic Party | $34,276 | $34,276 | $0 | As of May 31, 2020 |
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2020. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
Satellite spending
Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[14][15][16]
This section lists satellite spending in this race reported by news outlets in alphabetical order. If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us.
Primaries in Nebraska
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. In Nebraska, a top-two primary system is used for the nonpartisan legislature and some other statewide races. All other primaries are semi-closed.[17]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
What was at stake in the general election
U.S. House elections were held on November 3, 2020, and coincided with the 2020 presidential election. All 435 House districts were up for election, and the results determined control of the U.S. House in the 117th Congress.
At the time of the election, Democrats had a 232-197 advantage over Republicans. There was one Libertarian member, and there were five vacancies. Republicans needed to gain a net 21 seats to win control of the House. Democrats needed to gain seats or lose fewer than 14 net seats to keep their majority.
In the 2018 midterm election, Democrats had a net gain of 40 seats, winning a 235-200 majority in the House. Heading into the 2018 election, Republicans had a 235-193 majority with seven vacancies.
In the 25 previous House elections that coincided with a presidential election, the president's party had gained House seats in 16 elections and lost seats in nine. In years where the president's party won districts, the average gain was 18. In years where the president's party lost districts, the average loss was 27. Click here for more information on presidential partisanship and down-ballot outcomes.
General election race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[18]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[19][20][21]
Race ratings: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
November 3, 2020 | October 27, 2020 | October 20, 2020 | October 13, 2020 | ||||||
The Cook Political Report | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | |||||
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Tilt Democratic | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | |||||
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean Republican | Toss-up | Toss-up | Lean Republican | |||||
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every week throughout the election season. |
District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+4, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 4 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District the 204th most Republican nationally.[22]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.05. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.05 points toward that party.[23]
Pivot Counties
- See also: Pivot Counties by state
One of 93 Nebraska counties—1.08 percent—is a Pivot County. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.
Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008 | |||||||
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County | Trump margin of victory in 2016 | Obama margin of victory in 2012 | Obama margin of victory in 2008 | ||||
Thurston County, Nebraska | 5.94% | 13.91% | 6.96% |
In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won Nebraska with 58.7 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 33.7 percent. In presidential elections between 1868 and 2016, Nebraska voted Republican 82 percent of the time and Democratic 18 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Nebraska voted Republican all five times.[24]
Presidential results by legislative district
The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state Senate districts in Nebraska. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[25][26]
In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 10 out of 49 state Senate districts in Nebraska with an average margin of victory of 26.2 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 12 out of 49 state Senate districts in Nebraska with an average margin of victory of 22.8 points. Clinton won one district controlled by a Republican heading into the 2018 elections. |
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 39 out of 49 state Senate districts in Nebraska with an average margin of victory of 31.1 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 37 out of 49 state Senate districts in Nebraska with an average margin of victory of 38.3 points. Trump won five districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections. |
2016 presidential results by state Senate District | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
District | Obama | Romney | 2012 Margin | Clinton | Trump | 2016 Margin | Party Control |
1 | 35.00% | 62.82% | R+27.8 | 25.56% | 68.52% | R+43 | R |
2 | 34.70% | 63.63% | R+28.9 | 28.10% | 65.62% | R+37.5 | R |
3 | 39.04% | 59.04% | R+20 | 36.88% | 55.76% | R+18.9 | D |
4 | 33.37% | 65.51% | R+32.1 | 37.83% | 56.86% | R+19 | R |
5 | 56.53% | 41.59% | D+14.9 | 53.64% | 40.42% | D+13.2 | D |
6 | 44.02% | 54.75% | R+10.7 | 49.08% | 45.79% | D+3.3 | R |
7 | 63.42% | 34.32% | D+29.1 | 63.88% | 29.08% | D+34.8 | D |
8 | 61.53% | 36.52% | D+25 | 63.44% | 29.78% | D+33.7 | D |
9 | 58.49% | 39.32% | D+19.2 | 61.55% | 31.87% | D+29.7 | D |
10 | 45.04% | 53.54% | R+8.5 | 44.08% | 50.23% | R+6.1 | I |
11 | 91.12% | 8.07% | D+83.1 | 85.83% | 10.84% | D+75 | I |
12 | 43.61% | 54.71% | R+11.1 | 42.37% | 51.31% | R+8.9 | R |
13 | 64.84% | 33.83% | D+31 | 61.33% | 33.93% | D+27.4 | D |
14 | 37.62% | 60.56% | R+22.9 | 36.43% | 56.65% | R+20.2 | R |
15 | 38.07% | 60.36% | R+22.3 | 29.77% | 65.08% | R+35.3 | D |
16 | 31.13% | 67.37% | R+36.2 | 23.45% | 70.90% | R+47.4 | R |
17 | 43.76% | 54.47% | R+10.7 | 33.78% | 61.06% | R+27.3 | R |
18 | 44.60% | 54.31% | R+9.7 | 45.14% | 48.75% | R+3.6 | R |
19 | 25.28% | 72.70% | R+47.4 | 19.05% | 75.26% | R+56.2 | R |
20 | 42.76% | 55.71% | R+13 | 45.35% | 48.92% | R+3.6 | R |
21 | 46.85% | 51.27% | R+4.4 | 40.87% | 51.98% | R+11.1 | R |
22 | 23.32% | 75.02% | R+51.7 | 18.05% | 77.74% | R+59.7 | R |
23 | 31.22% | 66.98% | R+35.8 | 23.17% | 71.65% | R+48.5 | R |
24 | 26.29% | 72.16% | R+45.9 | 20.95% | 73.47% | R+52.5 | R |
25 | 38.80% | 59.40% | R+20.6 | 41.24% | 53.38% | R+12.1 | R |
26 | 52.21% | 46.11% | D+6.1 | 46.82% | 45.23% | D+1.6 | D |
27 | 52.75% | 45.63% | D+7.1 | 50.52% | 42.64% | D+7.9 | D |
28 | 60.87% | 37.83% | D+23 | 59.15% | 33.04% | D+26.1 | D |
29 | 47.69% | 50.58% | R+2.9 | 49.38% | 43.97% | D+5.4 | D |
30 | 38.34% | 59.25% | R+20.9 | 31.53% | 62.47% | R+30.9 | R |
31 | 33.78% | 65.04% | R+31.3 | 36.93% | 57.43% | R+20.5 | D |
32 | 35.71% | 62.38% | R+26.7 | 27.09% | 67.12% | R+40 | L |
33 | 31.50% | 66.71% | R+35.2 | 24.02% | 70.78% | R+46.8 | R |
34 | 27.77% | 70.53% | R+42.8 | 20.10% | 75.21% | R+55.1 | R |
35 | 39.62% | 58.44% | R+18.8 | 33.52% | 60.87% | R+27.3 | D |
36 | 24.72% | 73.31% | R+48.6 | 19.26% | 75.74% | R+56.5 | R |
37 | 28.68% | 69.17% | R+40.5 | 24.94% | 68.00% | R+43.1 | R |
38 | 23.21% | 74.90% | R+51.7 | 15.08% | 80.37% | R+65.3 | R |
39 | 29.09% | 69.93% | R+40.8 | 31.42% | 63.56% | R+32.1 | R |
40 | 22.84% | 75.26% | R+52.4 | 14.16% | 81.28% | R+67.1 | R |
41 | 23.54% | 74.61% | R+51.1 | 14.72% | 81.15% | R+66.4 | R |
42 | 28.61% | 68.98% | R+40.4 | 18.33% | 76.53% | R+58.2 | R |
43 | 23.14% | 74.74% | R+51.6 | 14.87% | 80.38% | R+65.5 | R |
44 | 18.45% | 80.00% | R+61.6 | 12.02% | 84.03% | R+72 | R |
45 | 40.96% | 57.13% | R+16.2 | 37.00% | 55.32% | R+18.3 | D |
46 | 60.88% | 37.77% | D+23.1 | 53.57% | 38.24% | D+15.3 | D |
47 | 21.99% | 75.82% | R+53.8 | 13.60% | 81.46% | R+67.9 | R |
48 | 30.41% | 67.81% | R+37.4 | 22.76% | 71.50% | R+48.7 | R |
49 | 34.76% | 63.76% | R+29 | 34.09% | 59.61% | R+25.5 | R |
Total | 38.21% | 60.08% | R+21.9 | 34.35% | 59.89% | R+25.5 | - |
Source: Daily Kos |
Candidate ballot access
The table below details filing requirements for 2nd Congressional District candidates in Nebraska in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Nebraska, click here.
Filing requirements, 2020 | ||||||||
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State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Signature formula | Filing fee | Filing fee formula | Filing deadline | Source |
Nebraska | 2nd Congressional District | Qualified party | N/A | N/A | $1,740.00 | 1% of annual salary | 3/2/2020 | Source |
Nebraska | 2nd Congressional District | Unaffiliated | 2,000 | 20% of registered in the district who voted for governor in 2018, or 2,000, whichever is less | $1,740.00 | 1% of annual salary | 9/1/2020 | Source |
District election history
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2
Incumbent Don Bacon defeated Kara Eastman in the general election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Don Bacon (R) | 51.0 | 126,715 |
![]() | Kara Eastman (D) ![]() | 49.0 | 121,770 |
Total votes: 248,485 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2
Kara Eastman defeated Brad Ashford in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kara Eastman ![]() | 51.6 | 21,357 |
![]() | Brad Ashford | 48.4 | 19,998 |
Total votes: 41,355 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2
Incumbent Don Bacon advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Don Bacon | 100.0 | 33,852 |
Total votes: 33,852 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2016
Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District was a battleground district in 2016. Don Bacon (R) defeated Democratic incumbent Brad Ashford and Steven Laird (L) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Bacon defeated Chip Maxwell to win the Republican primary, while Laird defeated Andy Shambaugh and Jeffrey Lynn Stein to win the Libertarian nomination. The primary elections took place on May 10, 2016.[27][28]
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | ![]() |
48.9% | 141,066 | |
Democratic | Brad Ashford Incumbent | 47.7% | 137,602 | |
Libertarian | Steven Laird | 3.3% | 9,640 | |
Total Votes | 288,308 | |||
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State |
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
66% | 32,328 | ||
Chip Maxwell | 34% | 16,677 | ||
Total Votes | 49,005 | |||
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State |
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
46.2% | 108 | ||
Andy Shambaugh | 38% | 89 | ||
Jeffrey Lynn Stein | 15.8% | 37 | ||
Total Votes | 234 | |||
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State |
Click [show] for previous cycle election results. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2014
2012
2010On November 2, 2010, Lee Terry won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Tom White (D) in the general election.[29]
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State profile
- See also: Nebraska and Nebraska elections, 2019
Partisan data
The information in this section was current as of May 7, 2019
Presidential voting pattern
- Nebraska voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Congressional delegation
- Following the 2018 elections, both U.S. Senators from Nebraska were Republicans.
- All three of Nebraska's U.S. Representatives were Republicans.
State executives
- Democrats held one and Republicans held 10 of Nebraska's 21 state executive offices. Elections for the other offices are nonpartisan.
- Nebraska's governor was Republican Pete Ricketts.
State legislature
- Republicans controlled the Nebraska State Senate with a 30-18 majority, although senators are technically nonpartisan.
Nebraska Party Control: 1992-2024
Seven years of Democratic trifectas • Twenty-seven years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
|
|
Demographic data for Nebraska | ||
---|---|---|
Nebraska | U.S. | |
Total population: | 1,893,765 | 316,515,021 |
Land area (sq mi): | 76,824 | 3,531,905 |
Race and ethnicity** | ||
White: | 88.1% | 73.6% |
Black/African American: | 4.7% | 12.6% |
Asian: | 2% | 5.1% |
Native American: | 0.9% | 0.8% |
Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
Two or more: | 2.2% | 3% |
Hispanic/Latino: | 10% | 17.1% |
Education | ||
High school graduation rate: | 90.7% | 86.7% |
College graduation rate: | 29.3% | 29.8% |
Income | ||
Median household income: | $52,997 | $53,889 |
Persons below poverty level: | 14.6% | 11.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Nebraska. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. |
See also
- Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (May 12 Republican primary)
- Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020
- United States House elections in Nebraska, 2020 (May 12 Democratic primaries)
- United States House elections in Nebraska, 2020 (May 12 Republican primaries)
- United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2020
- United States House Republican Party primaries, 2020
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2020
- U.S. House battlegrounds, 2020
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ann Ashford 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed April 9, 2020
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kara Eastman 2020 campaign website, "ON THE ISSUES," accessed April 9, 2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gladys Harrison 2020 campaign website, "WHY I'M RUNNING," accessed April 9, 2020
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 Facebook, "Ann Ashford 2020 campaign," accessed April 12, 2020
- ↑ The Hill, "Justice Democrats endorses two progressives challenging Democratic incumbents," accessed April 21, 2020
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ Lincoln Journal Star, "All Nebraska primary voters will be invited to vote by mail if they wish," March 26, 2020
- ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "What will look different at the polls on Nebraska's pandemic Election Day," May 11, 2020
- ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 10.22 10.23 10.24 10.25 10.26 10.27 10.28 10.29 10.30 10.31 10.32 10.33 10.34 10.35 10.36 10.37 10.38 10.39 10.40 10.41 10.42 Kara Eastman 2020 Campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed April 10, 2020
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed September 22, 2015
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed September 22, 2015
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," November 6, 2015
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures Website, "State Primary Election Types," accessed April 18, 2023
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
- ↑ 270towin.com, "Nebraska," accessed July 30, 2017
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "Statewide Candidate List," March 2, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "Nebraska Primary Results," May 10, 2016
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013