2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska

Overview

District 1

Incumbent Republican Congressman Doug Bereuter represented the 1st district, which included the city of Lincoln and most of eastern Nebraska, since he was first elected in 1978. He declined to seek re-election in 2004, and resigned from Congress on August 31, 2004, to become the President and CEO of The Asia Foundation. A crowded Republican primary emerged to succeed him, with Curt Bromm, the Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, emerging as the favorite. Bromm was endorsed by Bereuter, but was attacked by television advertisements aired by the Club for Growth that attacked him for raising taxes to make up for a state budget shortfall. The advertisements sought to elevate Greg Ruehle, the Executive Director of the Nebraska Cattleman, which prompted the Republican Main Street Partnership to air advertisements criticizing Ruehle. Fortenberry, meanwhile, ran a grassroots campaign and ultimately managed to win a thin plurality of the vote.

In the general election, Fortenberry faced State Senator Matt Connealy, the Democratic nominee. Though Connealy was a high-profile candidate, he was unable to overcome Republican President George W. Bush's strong performance in Nebraska that year, and Fortenberry ultimately won his first term by a wide margin.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jeff Fortenberry, former Lincoln City Councilman
• Curt Bromm, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature
• Greg Ruehle, Executive Director of the Nebraska Cattlemen
• Daniel Manning, educator
• Bob Van Valkenburg, business consultant
• Andrew J. Ringsmuth, journalist and information technology manager
• Greg Walburn, currency analyst

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Matt Connealy, State Senator
• Janet Stewart, Fremont attorney
• Charlie Matulka, 2002 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate
• Phil Chase, retired software executive

Results

Green Party primary

Candidates

• Steven R. Larrick, researcher for the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 2

Incumbent Republican Congressman Lee Terry, who represented the Omaha-based 2nd district, ran for re-election to a fourth term. He was challenged by State Senator Nancy Thompson, the Democratic nominee, and defeated her with 61% of the vote to win another term.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Lee Terry, incumbent Congressman

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Nancy Thompson, State Senator

Results

Libertarian primary

Candidates

• Jack Graziano

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 3

Incumbent Republican Congressman Tom Osborne ran for re-election to his third term in Congress in the 3rd district, which included most of the state's conservative, rural territory. He was challenged by Columbus cosmetologist Donna J. Anderson, the Democratic nominee, in the general election. Owing to the conservative nature of the district, Osborne overwhelmingly won re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Tom Osborne, incumbent Congressman

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Donna J. Anderson, Columbus cosmetologist

Results

Nebraska Party primary

Candidates

• Joseph A. Rosberg
• Duane E. F. Dufek

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

2004

References

References

1. O'Hanlon, Kevin. (2004-05-12). "Fortenberry wins crowded race for GOP spot in 1st District". Grand Island Independent.
2. (2004-05-02). "1st district candidates". Lincoln Journal Star.
3. Gale, John A.. "2004 Official Nebraska Primary Election Results: May 11, 2004".
4. (29 October 2004). "2004 Competitive House Race Chart". Cook Political Report.
5. (3 November 2004). "2004 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball.
6. Gale, John A.. "2004 Official Nebraska General Election Results: November 2, 2004".