Closest U.S. Senate elections in Nebraska
The closest U.S. Senate election in Nebraska history was in 2000, a margin of 2.2 points. Ben Nelson beat Don Stenberg, 353,093 to 337,977. Next closest are 1984 (3.9 points) and 1916 (4.1 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Nebraska has held, special elections included, see the Nebraska U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Nebraska history?
The Nebraska Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 2000, 2.2 points. Ben Nelson beat Don Stenberg, 353,093 to 337,977. The next closest were 1984 (3.9 points) and 1916 (4.1 points).
How is the margin measured?
As the gap in vote share between the first and second-place finishers, from the certified general-election count. It is not adjusted for recounts, runoffs or later court rulings; the figure is the result as certified.
Does this include special elections?
No. These are the regular general elections for Nebraska’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Nebraska Senate hub, which lists every race including specials, and in a few states one of those is closer than anything here.
Why does the list start in 1914?
Because senators were chosen by state legislatures before the Seventeenth Amendment. 1914 is the first cycle of the popular-vote era for the Senate, so it is the first Nebraska election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000 | Ben Nelson D def. Don Stenberg R | 353,093 – 337,977 | 2.2 points |
| 2 | 1984 | James J. Exon D def. Nancy Hoch R | 332,217 – 307,147 | 3.9 points |
| 3 | 1916 | Gilbert M. Hitchcock D def. John L. Kennedy R | 143,082 – 131,359 | 4.1 points |
| 4 | 1970 | Roman L. Hruska R def. Frank B. Morrison D | 240,894 – 217,681 | 5.1 points |
| 5 | 1976 | Edward Zorinsky D def. John Y. McCollister R | 313,805 – 279,284 | 5.8 points |
| 6 | 1936 | George W. Norris I def. Robert G. Simmons R | 258,700 – 223,276 | 6.0 points |
| 7 | 1972 | Carl T. Curtis R def. Terry Carpenter D | 301,841 – 265,922 | 6.3 points |
| 8 | 2024 | Deb Fischer R def. Dan Osborn B | 499,124 – 436,493 | 6.7 points |
| 9 | 1918 | George W. Norris R def. John H. Morehead D | 119,486 – 99,696 | 9.0 points |
| 10 | 1994 | J. Robert Kerrey D def. Jan Stoney R | 317,297 – 260,668 | 9.8 points |
| 11 | 1958 | Roman L. Hruska R def. Frank B. Morrison D | 232,227 – 185,152 | 11.3 points |
| 12 | 1934 | Edward R. Burke D def. Robert G. Simmons R | 305,958 – 237,126 | 12.4 points |
| 13 | 1948 | Kenneth S. Wherry R def. Terry Carpenter D | 267,575 – 204,320 | 13.4 points |
| 14 | 1996 | Chuck Hagel R def. Ben Nelson D | 379,933 – 281,904 | 14.8 points |
| 15 | 1988 | J. Robert Kerrey D def. Dave Karnes R | 378,717 – 278,250 | 15.1 points |
| 16 | 1940 | Hugh A. Butler R def. R. L. Cochran D | 340,250 – 247,659 | 15.5 points |
| 17 | 2012 | Deb Fischer R def. J. Robert Kerrey D | 455,593 – 332,979 | 15.5 points |
| 18 | 1930 | George W. Norris R def. Gilbert M. Hitchcock D | 247,118 – 172,795 | 17.1 points |
| 19 | 2008 | Mike Johanns R def. Scott Kleeb D | 455,854 – 317,456 | 17.5 points |
| 20 | 1960 | Carl T. Curtis R def. Robert B. Conrad D | 352,748 – 245,807 | 17.9 points |
| 21 | 1990 | James J. Exon D def. Hal Daub R | 349,779 – 243,013 | 18.0 points |
| 22 | 1922 | Robert B. Howell R def. Gilbert M. Hitchcock D | 220,350 – 148,265 | 18.6 points |
| 23 | 2018 | Deb Fischer R def. Jane Raybould D | 403,151 – 269,917 | 19.1 points |
| 24 | 1942 | Kenneth S. Wherry R def. George W. Norris I | 186,207 – 108,851 | 20.3 points |
| 25 | 1954 | Carl T. Curtis R def. Keith Neville D | 255,695 – 162,990 | 22.1 points |