1984 United States Senate election in Nebraska

1984 United States Senate election in Nebraska

←  1978 November 6, 1984 1990  →

Nominee J. James Exon Nancy Hoch Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 332,217 307,147 Percentage 51.94% 48.02%

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

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

The 1984 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Democratic Senator J. James Exon ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by Nancy Hoch, the Republican nominee and a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Owing in part to President Ronald Reagan's landslide victory over Democratic challenger Walter Mondale in the state, Exon only narrowly defeated Hoch, winning 52% of the vote.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• J. James Exon, incumbent Senator

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	J. J. Exon (inc.)	135,242	99.32%
	Democratic	Write-ins	930	0.68%
Total votes			136,172	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Nancy Hoch, member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents ^[2]
• John DeCamp, State Senator
• Richard N. Thompson, Lincoln businessman and finance chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party ^[3]
• Fred A. Lockwood, Gering accountant ^[3]
• Ken Cameron, Blair salesman ^[3]
• George A. Boucher, Ravenna agribusinessman ^[3]

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Nancy Hoch	61,009	40.46%
	Republican	John DeCamp	24,730	16.40%
	Republican	Richard N. Thompson	23,720	15.73%
	Republican	Fred A. Lockwood	21,115	14.00%
	Republican	Ken Cameron	16,123	10.69%
	Republican	George A. Boucher	3,926	2.60%
	Republican	Write-ins	178	0.12%
Total votes			150,801	100.00%

General election

1984 United States Senate election in Nebraska ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	J. James Exon (inc.)	332,217	51.94%	−15.68%
	Republican	Nancy Hoch	307,147	48.02%	+15.69%
	Write-in		304	0.05%	—
Majority			25,070	3.92%	−31.37%
Total votes			639,668	100.00%
	Democratic hold

See also

• United States Senate elections, 1984

References

1. Beermann, Allen J. (1984). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska (PDF).
2. "Regent considers challenging Exon". Grand Island Independent . Grand Island, Nebraska. January 13, 1984. p. 2. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
3. "Last-minute filings perk up races". Lincoln Journal Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. March 17, 1984. p. 13. Retrieved February 25, 2025.