1982 United States Senate election in Nebraska

1982 United States Senate election in Nebraska

←  1976 November 5, 1982 1988  →

Nominee Edward Zorinsky Jim Keck Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 363,350 155,760 Percentage 66.59% 28.55%

County results Zorinsky:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Keck:      40–50%     50–60% Tie:     40–50%

U.S. senator before election Edward Zorinsky Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Edward Zorinsky Democratic

The 1982 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 5, 1982. Incumbent Democratic Senator Edward Zorinsky ran for re-election to a second term. Zorinsky was challenged by Republican nominee Jim Keck, a retired United States Air Force general. Zorinsky defeated Keck in a landslide, winning the highest percentage of the vote of any Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in state history.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Edward Zorinsky, incumbent Senator

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edward Zorinsky (inc.)	124,288	99.42%
	Democratic	Write-ins	731	0.58%
Total votes			125,019	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Keck, retired United States Air Force general, advertising executive ^[2]
• Ken Cameron, manufacturers' representative ^[2]

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Keck	104,550	66.02%
	Republican	Ken Cameron	53,453	33.76%
	Republican	Write-ins	347	0.22%
Total votes			158,350	100.00%

General election

1982 United States Senate election in Nebraska ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Edward Zorinsky (inc.)	363,350	66.59%	+13.70%
	Republican	Jim Keck	155,760	28.55%	−18.52%
	Independent	Virginia Walsh	26,443	4.85%	—
	Write-in		94	0.02%	—
Majority			207,590	38.04%	+32.22%
Total votes			545,647	100.00%
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1982 United States Senate elections

References

1. Beermann, Allen J. (1982). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska (PDF).
2. "Blair Republican seeks to challenge Zorinsky". Telegraph. North Platte, Nebraska. March 10, 1982. p. 1. Retrieved February 23, 2025.