1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska

1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska

←  1972 November 7, 1978 1984  →

Nominee J. James Exon Donald Shasteen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 334,276 159,806 Percentage 67.62% 32.33%

County results Exon:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Shasteen:     50–60%

U.S. senator before election Carl Curtis Republican Elected U.S. Senator J. James Exon Democratic

The 1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican Senator Carl Curtis declined to seek re-election to a fifth term. Governor J. James Exon won the Democratic nomination uncontested and then faced Republican Donald Shasteen, an aide to Senator Curtis, in the general election. Despite nationwide Republican gains, Exon defeated Shasteen in a landslide, picking up the seat. Exon's victory made him the first Democrat to ever win the Class II Senate seat, and the first non-Republican to do so since George W. Norris's victory as an independent in 1936.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• J. James Exon, Governor of Nebraska

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	J. J. Exon	127,142	99.35%
	Democratic	Write-ins	828	0.65%
Total votes			127,970	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Don Shasteen, aide to outgoing Senator Carl Curtis ^[2]
• Lenore Etchison, perennial candidate ^[3]

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Don Shasteen	129,525	78.68%
	Republican	Lenore Etchison	34,916	21.21%
	Republican	Write-ins	174	0.11%
Total votes			164,615	100.00%

General election

1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	J. James Exon	334,276	67.62%	+20.85%
	Republican	Donald Shasteen	159,806	32.33%	−20.76%
	Write-in		286	0.06%	—
Majority			174,470	35.29%	+28.97%
Total votes			494,368	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican

See also

• 1978 United States Senate elections

References

1. Beermann, Allen J. (1978). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska (PDF).
2. "Shasteen Runs For Senate". Gering Courier . Gering, Nebraska. January 12, 1978. p. 11. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
3. "State Filing Deadline Brings More Hopefuls". Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. March 11, 1978. p. 8. Retrieved February 25, 2025.