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Nebraska State Senate elections, 2012
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Nebraska's 2012 elections U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Other executive offices • State Senate • State ballot measures • Candidate ballot access |
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Elections for the office of Nebraska State Senate were held in Nebraska on November 6, 2012. A total of 26 seats were up for election.
The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was March 1, 2012. The primary Election Day was May 15, 2012.
- See also: State legislative elections, 2012
Incumbents retiring
| Name | Party | Current office |
|---|---|---|
| Abbie Cornett | Nonpartisan | Senate District 45 |
| Chris Langemeier | Nonpartisan | Senate District 23 |
| Deb Fischer | Nonpartisan | Senate District 43 |
| Gwen Howard | Nonpartisan | Senate District 9 |
| Lavon Heidemann | Nonpartisan | Senate District 1 |
| LeRoy Louden | Nonpartisan | Senate District 49 |
| Mike Flood | Nonpartisan | Senate District 19 |
| Rich Pahls | Nonpartisan | Senate District 31 |
| Tony Fulton | Nonpartisan | Senate District 29 |
Campaign contributions
This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in Nebraska in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[1]
| Year | Number of candidates | Total contributions |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 51 | $1,597,466 |
| 2008 | 74 | $3,009,798 |
| 2006 | 83 | $3,036,539 |
| 2004 | 56 | $1,416,405 |
| 2002 | 53 | $1,346,267 |
In 2010, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $1,597,466 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[2]
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nebraska Education Association | $80,347 |
| Union Pacific Railroad | $67,500 |
| Nebraska Bankers Association | $66,682 |
| Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry | $61,584 |
| Nebraska Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors | $53,643 |
| Nebraska Realtors Association | $49,850 |
| Nebraska Optometric Association | $49,242 |
| Nebraska State AFL-CIO | $37,929 |
| Associated General Contractors of Nebraska | $37,765 |
| Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys | $35,500 |
Impact of redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Nebraska
The Senate passed and Gov. Dave Heineman (R) signed a new legislative map on May 26, 2011. The unicameral legislature is officially elected through nonpartisan elections, though state parties endorse candidates (Republicans outnumbered Democrats 34-15 during the redistricting process). LeRoy Louden's rural northwest district moved across Nebraska to northwest Sarpy County, outside of Bellevue and Omaha. The New York Times said, "The transfer of power will give the most urbanized section of Nebraska a slim legislative majority, after years in which rural leaders watched their clear dominance wane."[3][4][5]
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve in the Nebraska Senate, a candidate must be:[6]
- At least 21 years of age
- A resident of Nebraska, and specifically a resident of the legislative district he or she wishes to serve, for at least one year prior to the general election
- Must not have ever been convicted of a felony
Term limits
The Nebraska State Senate has been a term-limited state senate since Nebraska voters approved Initiative 415 (2000). Under the terms of Initiative 415, Nebraska's senators can serve no more than two consecutive 4-year terms in the state senate.
There are 49 Nebraska State Senators. In 2012, 9 current members, or 18.4% of the total senate seats, were ineligible to run for the senate again in November. Members of the Nebraska Unicameral are nonpartisan. The senators ineligible to run for re-election were:
Non-Partisan (9):
List of candidates
District 1
Note: Incumbent Lavon Heidemann was ineligible to run due to term limits.
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Jerry Joy 2,879
- Douglas J. Bohling 212
- Dan Watermeier 3,438
- Bruce P. Bernadt 152
- Alvin H. Guenther 310
- Neal Schatz 103
- Jerry Joy 2,879
November 6 General election candidates:
Jerry Joy: 6,926- Dan Watermeier: 8,737
District 2
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Ron Nolte 1,064
- R. Paul Lambert 1,624 - Incumbent Lambert first assumed office in 2011.
- Robyn Larson 733
- Bill Kintner 1,266
- Robert Howard 98
- Mel Luetchens 943
November 6 General election candidates:
- R. Paul Lambert: 7,798
- Bill Kintner: 8,171
District 3
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Scott Price 2,252 - Incumbent Price first assumed office in 2008.
- Suzanne McNamara 1,487
- Scott Price 2,252
November 6 General election candidates:
- Scott Price: 6,997
- Suzanne McNamara: 5,490
District 5
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Heath Mello 2,577 - Incumbent Mello first assumed office in 2008.
- Heath Mello 2,577
November 6 General election candidates:
- Heath Mello: 7,769
District 7
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Christopher N. Geary 345
- Jeremiah J. Nordquist 1,406 - Incumbent Nordquist first assumed office in 2008.
- Adrian S. Petrescu 183
- Christopher N. Geary 345
November 6 General election candidates:
- Christopher N. Geary: 1,792
- Jeremiah J. Nordquist: 4,211
District 9
Note: Incumbent Gwen Howard was ineligible to run due to term limits.
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Erica Fish 1,362
- Vernon Joseph Davis 601
- Sara Howard 2,559
- Erica Fish 1,362
November 6 General election candidates:
- Erica Fish: 4,092
- Sara Howard: 7,904
District 11
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Brenda J. Council 1,453 - Incumbent Council first assumed office in 2008.
- Ernie Chambers 1,602
- Brenda J. Council 1,453
November 6 General election candidates:
- Brenda J. Council: 3,326
- Ernie Chambers: 6,734
District 13
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Tanya Cook 2,695 - Incumbent Cook first assumed office in 2008.
- Timothy Ashford 1,848
- Tanya Cook 2,695
November 6 General election candidates:
- Tanya Cook: 7,620
- Timothy Ashford: 4,940
District 15
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Charlie Janssen 4,345 - Incumbent Janssen first assumed office in 2008.
- Mike Petersen 2,287
- Charlie Janssen 4,345
November 6 General election candidates:
- Charlie Janssen: 9,358
- Mike Petersen: 4,654
District 17
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Van Phillips 1,009
- Ron Hartnett 496
- Dave Bloomfield 1,851 - Incumbent Bloomfield first assumed office in 2010.
- Darrick J. Barclay 144
- Van Phillips 1,009
November 6 General election candidates:
- Van Phillips: 4,203
- Dave Bloomfield: 6,577
District 19
Note: Incumbent Mike Flood was ineligible to run due to term limits.
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Jim Scheer 4,497
- William T. Goodpasture 1,303
- Jim Scheer 4,497
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jim Scheer: 10,441
- William T. Goodpasture: 3,014
District 21
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Mike Hilgers 2,238
- Ken Haar 2,471 - Incumbent Haar first assumed office in 2008.
- Bryan C. Ifland 134
- Mike Hilgers 2,238
November 6 General election candidates:
- Mike Hilgers: 6,784
- Ken Haar: 6,869
District 23
Note: Incumbent Chris Langemeier was ineligible to run due to term limits.
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Vern Barrett 2,618
- Jerry Johnson 3,323
- John Jack Pokorny 830
- Vern Barrett 2,618
November 6 General election candidates:
- Vern Barrett: 6,934
- Jerry Johnson: 8,032
District 25
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Kathy Campbell 7,220 - Incumbent Campbell first assumed office in 2008.
- Kathy Campbell 7,220
November 6 General election candidates:
- Kathy Campbell: 15,970
District 27
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Colby Coash 2,814 - Incumbent Coash first assumed office in 2008.
- Kyle Michaelis 1,365
- Colby Coash 2,814
November 6 General election candidates:
- Colby Coash: 7,389
- Kyle Michaelis: 4,175
District 29
Note: Incumbent Tony Fulton was ineligible to run due to term limits.
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Susan Scott 1,502
- Kate Bolz 2,377
- Mike Smith 1,231
- Larry Zimmerman 2,013
- Don Mayhew 670
November 6 General election candidates:
- Kate Bolz: 9,073
- Larry Zimmerman: 8,750
District 31
Note: Incumbent Rich Pahls was ineligible to run due to term limits.
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Rick Kolowski 3,214
- Acela Turco 2,875
- Rick Kolowski 3,214
November 6 General election candidates:
- Rick Kolowski: 9,121
- Acela Turco: 8,413
District 33
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Les Seiler 4,174 - Incumbent Seiler first assumed office in 2012.
- Marvin Butch Hughes 1,263
- Les Seiler 4,174
November 6 General election candidates:
- Les Seiler: 8,867
- Marvin Butch Hughes: 4,785
District 35
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Mike Gloor 3,507 - Incumbent Gloor first assumed office in 2008.
- Mike Gloor 3,507
November 6 General election candidates:
- Mike Gloor: 8,810
District 37
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Galen Hadley 2,598 - Incumbent Hadley first assumed office in 2008.
- Josiah H. Woodward 1,857
- Mike McShea 756
- Galen Hadley 2,598
November 6 General election candidates:
- Galen Hadley: 7,376
- Josiah H. Woodward: 6,772
District 39
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Beau McCoy 3,195 - Incumbent McCoy first assumed office in 2008.
- Judy M. Domina 1,854
- Beau McCoy 3,195
November 6 General election candidates:
- Beau McCoy: 9,391
- Judy M. Domina: 6,316
District 41
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Kate Sullivan 7,198 - Incumbent Sullivan first assumed office in 2008.
- Brook Curtiss 1,721
- Kate Sullivan 7,198
November 6 General election candidates:
- Kate Sullivan: 14,062
- Brook Curtiss: 3,088
District 43
Note: Incumbent Deb Fischer was ineligible to run due to term limits.
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Jack Andersen 550
- Al Davis 1,801
- Ernest R. Fellows 166
- Cash Ostrander 1,747
- John W. Ravenscroft 3,210
- Earl M. Jones 740
- Michael Jacobson 108
November 6 General election candidates:
- Al Davis: 8,750
- John W. Ravenscroft: 8,137
District 45
Note: Incumbent Abbie Cornett was ineligible to run due to term limits.
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Sue Crawford 2,267
- Richard Carter 2,423
- Sue Crawford 2,267
November 6 General election candidates:
- Sue Crawford: 7,111
- Richard Carter: 6,729
District 47
- May 15 primary candidates:
- Ken Schilz 5,419 - Incumbent Schilz first assumed office in 2008.
- Ken Schilz 5,419
November 6 General election candidates:
- Ken Schilz: 13,681
District 49
Note: Incumbent LeRoy Louden was ineligible to run due to term limits.
- May 15 primary candidates:
- John Murante 2,359
- Frank C. Wellenstein 962
- John Murante 2,359
November 6 General election candidates:
- John Murante: 8,508
- Frank C. Wellenstein: 4,398
External links
- Nebraska Secretary of State - 2012 Primary Election Candidates
- Nebraska Secretary of State - Official 2012 Primary Results
- Nebraska Secretary of State - 2012 General Election Candidates
- Nebraska Secretary of State - Official 2012 General Election Results
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Follow the Money, Nebraska
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Nebraska Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ All About Redistricting, Nebraska, accessed August 29, 2012
- ↑ The New York Times, "Rural Legislators' Power Ebbs as Populations Shift," June 2, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2012
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Nebraska Redistricting Maps Approved," May 27, 2011
- ↑ Qualifications to serve in the Nebraska Legislature
