2010 Nebraska elections

Last updated

Nebraska state elections in 2010 were held in the state of Nebraska on November 2, 2010. Nebraska electors voted for all three members representing the state in the United States House of Representatives; all statewide executive officers, including the Governor; half of the members of the Nebraska Legislature; seats on the Nebraska Public Service Commission, State Board of Education, and Board of Regents; members of the judiciary in retention elections; and several constitutional amendments.

Contents

United States Congress

All three of Nebraska's seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2010. All three incumbents are Republican, and all three ran successfully ran for re-election.

United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2010 [1]
PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/–
Republican 327,98667.55%3
Democratic 137,52428.32%0
Independents20,0364.13%0
Totals485,546100.00%3

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Incumbent Republican Governor Dave Heineman ran for a second full term as Governor. He handily won the Republican primary and was originally set to face Democratic nominee Mark Lakers, an investment banker, in the general election. However, Lakers dropped out of the race following a campaign finance scandal and was replaced with attorney Mike Meister. [2] Heineman defeated Meister in the general election with 74% of the vote.

2010 Nebraska gubernatorial election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Dave Heineman (inc.) 360,645 73.90% +0.50%
Democratic Mike Meister127,34326.10%+1.64%
Majority233,30247.81%−1.13%
Total votes174,888 100.00
Republican hold

Secretary of State

Incumbent Republican Secretary of State John A. Gale ran for re-election to a third full term. He was challenged in the general election by Fremont attorney Janet Stewart, [4] whom he defeated in a landslide.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John A. Gale (inc.) 139,824 100.00%
Total votes139,824 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Janet Stewart 57,583 100.00%
Total votes57,583 100.00%

General election

2010 Nebraska Secretary of State election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican John A. Gale (inc.) 326,431 69.75% +8.43%
Democratic Janet Stewart141,56430.25%−3.34%
Majority184,86739.50%+11.77%
Turnout 467,995
Republican hold
Results by county
Gale:
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
50-60%
60-70%
70-80%
80-90%
90-100% 2010 Nebraska secretary of state election results map by county.svg
Results by county
Gale:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%

Auditor of Public Accounts

Incumbent Republican State Auditor Mike Foley ran for re-election to a second consecutive term. He faced no major-party opposition and defeated Libertarian nominee Michele Sallach-Grace in the general election by a wide margin.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mike Foley 137,544 100.00%
Total votes137,544 100.00%

General election

2010 Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Foley (inc.) 345,436 79.62% +26.30%
Libertarian Michele Sallach-Grace88,43320.38%
Majority257,00359.24%+45.22%
Turnout 433,869
Republican hold
Results by county
Foley:
70-80%
80-90%
90-100% 2010 Nebraska auditor of public accounts election results map by county.svg
Results by county
Foley:
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%

State Treasurer

Incumbent Republican State Treasurer Shane Osborn declined to seek re-election to a second term. Former Attorney General Don Stenberg won the Republican nomination to succeed him. In the general election, he faced Democratic nominee Mark Stoj, a branch manager for a credit union. [6] Stenberg won the election in a landslide.

Republican primary

Stenberg entered the race with high name recognition from his past service as Attorney General and several unsuccessful runs for the United States Senate. He was challenged by State Senator Tony Fulton, who emphasized the "fresh perspective" and "new energy" he would bring to the office, and former State Patrol Superintendent Tom Nesbitt, who argued that he was an experienced, non-partisan administrator. [7] Stenberg ultimately won the primary by a wide margin and advanced to the general election.

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Don Stenberg 83,461 45.43%
Republican Tony Fulton44,77124.38%
Republican Tom Nesbitt32,97917.94%
Total votes183,211 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Mark Stoj, credit union branch manager

Results

Democratic primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Mark Stoj 54,981 100.00%
Total votes54,981 100.00%

General election

2010 Nebraska State Treasurer election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Don Stenberg 345,661 72.94% −3.35%
Democratic Mark Stoj128,23127.06%+3.35%
Majority217,43045.88%−6.69%
Turnout 473,892
Republican hold
Results by county
Stenberg:
60-70%
70-80%
80-90%
90-100% 2010 Nebraska state treasurer election results map by county.svg
Results by county
Stenberg:
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%

Attorney General

Incumbent Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning ran for re-election to a third term. He faced no opposition in the primary or general election and was re-elected uncontested.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jon Bruning (inc.) 148,746 100.00%
Total votes148,746 100.00%

General election

2010 Nebraska Attorney General election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jon Bruning (inc.) 393,124 100.00%
Total votes393,124 100.00%
Republican hold
Results by county
Bruning:
90-100% 2010 Nebraska attorney general election results map by county.svg
Results by county
Bruning:
  •   90–100%

Public Service Commission

District 4

Republican primary

Incumbent Public Service Commissioner Rod Johnson ran for re-election to a fourth term. He was challenged in the Republican primary by Nebraska Party founder Paul A. Rosberg [8] and Webster County Commissioner Roger L. Bohrer. [9] Johnson campaigned on his experience in dealing with the issues that the commission faces, including "E911 enhancement; continued statewide broadband deployment; affordable natural gas rates and services; and maintaining sound financial grain warehouses." Rosberg emphasized that he was "not a politician, but a Christian statesman," and stressed the importance of ensuring "that the average person gets representation as to utility bill costs." Bohrer argued that his background as a businessman and local government official positioned him as "the only true candidate in this race with the passion for the citizens of this great state." [9] Johnson ultimately won the primary by a wide margin, and advanced to the general election, where he was re-elected unopposed.

Candidates
Results
Republican primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Rod Johnson (inc.) 14,704 49.45%
Republican Paul A. Rosberg7,09023.85%
Republican Roger L. Bohrer5,68319.11%
Total votes27,477 100.00%

General election

2010 District 4 election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Rod Johnson (inc.) 72,377 100.00%
Total votes72,377 100.00%
Republican hold

District 5

Republican primary

Incumbent Public Service Commissioner Jerry Vap ran for re-election to a second full term. He faced a crowded Republican primary, with five challengers running against him. Vap campaigned on his experience, pointing to his work in providing for enhanced 911 services, broadband availability, and expanding telehealth. [10] Vap won renomination with a 32% plurality and was unopposed in the general election.

Candidates
  • Jerry Vap, incumbent Commissioner
  • Kelly Renee Rosberg, 2002 Nebraska Party nominee for Auditor [8]
  • Justin Jensen, former department store manager [10]
  • Christopher VanWinkle
  • Mike Delka, 1998 candidate for the Public Service Commission, Chairman of the Webster County Republican Party [10]
  • Duane Dufek
Results
Republican primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jerry Vap (inc.) 14,037 31.64%
Republican Kelly Renee Rosberg6,99415.77%
Republican Justin Jensen4,61710.41%
Republican Christopher VanWinkle4,2179.51%
Republican Mike Delka3,3577.57%
Republican Duane Dufek2,1914.94%
Total votes44,413 100.00%

General election

2010 District 5 election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jerry Vap (inc.) 82,588 100.00%
Total votes82,588 100.00%
Republican hold

State Board of Education

District 5

Incumbent Board member Patricia H. Timm was unopposed for re-election.

Candidates

  • Patricia H. Timm, incumbent Board member

Primary election results

Nonpartisan primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Patricia H. Timm (inc.) 27,500 100.00%
Total votes27,500 100.00%

General election results

Nonpartisan general results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Patricia H. Timm (inc.) 41,186 100.00%
Total votes41,186 100.00%

District 6

Incumbent Board member Fred Meyer declined to seek re-election, and he was succeeded by Grand Island Public School Board member Lynn R. Cronk, [11] who defeated Randy P. Klawitter by a wide margin.

Candidates

Primary election results

Nonpartisan primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Lynn R. Cronk 18,112 65.65%
Nonpartisan Randy P. Klawitter9,47734.35%
Total votes27,589 100.00%

General election results

Nonpartisan general results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Lynn R. Cronk 28,990 66.17%
Nonpartisan Randy P. Klawitter14,82533.83%
Total votes43,815 100.00%

District 7

Incumbent Board member Kandy Imes declined to seek re-election. [11] Cindi Allen, a member of the Ogallala Public School Board, [12] and Molly O'Holleran, a member of the North Platte Public School Board, [11] ran to succeed her. Allen narrowly placed first in the nonpartisan primary, but in the general election, O'Holleran defeated her by a wide margin.

Candidates

Primary election results

Nonpartisan primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Cindi Allen 16,226 52.55%
Nonpartisan Molly O'Holleran14,65247.45%
Total votes30,878 100.00%

General election results

Nonpartisan general results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Molly O'Holleran 31,676 60.11%
Nonpartisan Cindi Allen21,03539.89%
Total votes52,711 100.00%

District 8

Incumbent Board member Joe Higgins declined to seek re-election. [11] Businessman John Sieler and retired teacher and administrator Dennis McIntyre ran to replace him. Though the race was formally nonpartisan, Sieler ran as a conservative with the endorsement of Republican Governor Dave Heineman. [13] McIntyre, meanwhile, won the endorsement of the Omaha World-Herald , which praised him for having a "far broader and deeper understanding" of public education issues than Sieler. [14] Ultimately, Sieler narrowly defeated McIntyre.

Candidates

  • John Sieler, Omaha businessman
  • Dennis McIntyre, retired high school social studies teacher

Primary election results

Nonpartisan primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Dennis McIntyre 7,824 53.58%
Nonpartisan John Sieler6,78646.42%
Total votes14,610 100.00%

General election results

Nonpartisan general results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan John Sieler 23,139 50.60%
Nonpartisan Dennis McIntyre22,58549.40%
Total votes45,724 100.00%

Board of Regents

District 6

Incumbent Regent Kent Schroeder was unopposed for re-election.

Candidates

  • Kent Schroeder, incumbent Board member

Primary election results

Nonpartisan primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Kent Schroeder 27,900 100.00%
Total votes27,900 100.00%

General election results

Nonpartisan general results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Kent Schroeder 43,647 100.00%
Total votes43,647 100.00%

District 7

Incumbent Regent Bob Phares, who was appointed in 2006 following the impeachment and removal of Regent David Hergert, ran for re-election to a full term. He was challenged by Frank B. Svoboda, who had previously served as the Keith County Attorney, a district court judge, and a director of the Upper Republican Natural Resources District. [15] Svoboda placed first in the primary, but Phares ultimately defeated him with 55% of the vote.

Candidates

  • Bob Phares, incumbent Regent
  • Frank B. Svoboda, former Keith County Attorney

Primary election results

Nonpartisan primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Frank B. Svoboda 18,890 58.84%
Nonpartisan Bob Phares (inc.)13,21341.16%
Total votes32,103 100.00%

General election results

Nonpartisan general results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Bob Phares (inc.) 27,564 54.53%
Nonpartisan Frank B. Svoboda22,97545.47%
Total votes50,539 100.00%
  1. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010" (PDF). p. 28.
  2. Walton, Don (2010-07-19). "Meister to run for top spot". Lincoln Journal-Star. p. A1, A2. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Gale, John A. (2010). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, General Election, November 2, 2010 (PDF).
  4. "2nd Dem is ready for challenge of Gale: Stewart will face Pierce in primary". Lincoln Journal Star. 2010-01-14. p. B2. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Gale, John A. (2010). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 11, 2010 (PDF).
  6. Hicks, Nancy (2010-05-05). "Do you recognize these guys? The candidates for state treasurer sure hope you do come next Tuesday". Lincoln Journal-Star. p. A1, A2. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  7. Hammel, Paul (2010-04-26). "Candidates feature high-profile experience". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1B, 2B. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  8. 1 2 Beck, Margery A. (2010-02-22). "Third parties out of running this year". Lincoln Journal Star. p. B2. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  9. 1 2 Hoag, Mary Pat (2010-04-23). "Incumbent challenged for Dist. 4 seat". Norfolk Daily News. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  10. 1 2 3 Guenther, Jerry (2010-04-24). "Six seeking PSC seat". Kearney Hub. p. 7A. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Reist, Margaret (2010-12-09). "Three state board members finish terms". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  12. Wetzel, Diane (2010-10-08). "Allen: 'I am prepared' for spot". North Platte Telegram. p. A2. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  13. Dejka, Joe (2010-11-03). "Sieler takes metro-area race". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8A.
  14. "State school issues: McIntyre for State Board". Omaha World-Herald. 2010-10-19. p. 4B. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  15. Reed, Leslie (2010-11-03). "It's 'wait and see' for Phares, Svoboda". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8A. Retrieved 2025-02-15.