2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska

Overview

District 1

Moul:

Incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, who was first elected in 2004, ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged in the general election by former Lieutenant Governor Maxine Moul, the Democratic nominee. Fortenberry defeated Moul by a wide margin, winning his second term with 58% of the vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jeff Fortenberry, incumbent Congressman

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Maxine Moul, former Lieutenant Governor
• James Wilson, former sportscaster

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 2

Esch:

Incumbent Republican Congressman Lee Terry ran for re-election to a fifth term. He faced attorney Jim Esch, the Democratic nominee. Esch ran a stronger campaign against Terry than many of his past opponents, but Terry ultimately won re-election with 55% of the vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Lee Terry, incumbent Congressman
• Steven Laird, 1998 Republican candidate for Congress

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jim Esch, attorney

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 3

Kleeb:
Tie:

Incumbent Republican Congressman Tom Osborne opted to run for Governor rather than seek re-election. State Senator Adrian Smith won the Republican primary to succeed Osborne, and faced farmer Scott Kleeb in the general election. Even though the 3rd district typically voted for Republican candidates in landslide margins, the race narrowed, and Smith defeated Kleeb with just 55% of the vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Adrian Smith, State Senator
• John Hanson, former district director for Congressman Tom Osborne
• Jay Vavricek, Mayor of Grand Island
• David Harris, national security analyst
• Douglas Polk, Kearney social studies teacher

Campaign

State Senator Adrian Smith, former Osborne aide John Hanson, and Grand Island Mayor Jay Vavricek emerged as the leading Republican candidates to succeed Osborne. During the campaign, Smith received significant financial support from the Club for Growth, which his primary rivals criticized, pointing to the group's opposition to farm subsidies. Smith ultimately won the primary with just 39% of the vote, and advanced to the general election.

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Scott Kleeb, farmer

Results

General election

Campaign

Despite the conservative nature of the 3rd district, which historically supported Republican candidates by wide margins, Smith entered the general election following a difficult primary election, and Kleeb ran a strong campaign. As Democrats performed well nationwide, both political parties unexpectedly focused attention on the race. President George W. Bush held a campaign rally for Smith in Grand Island, urging voters to support Smith and other Republican candidates on the ballot.

Toward the end of the campaign, a series of automated telephone calls purporting to be from the Kleeb campaign were placed to voters, using Kleeb's voice and taking place in the middle of the night. Following the campaign, several Democratic leaders in the district filed complaints with the Nebraska Public Service Commission, and the state legislature considered legislation that would limit the number of automated calls that campaigns could place. Ultimately, the Commission's investigation concluded without any action, and Governor Dave Heineman vetoed the proposed legislation.

Endorsements

• Wesley Clark, General, 2004 Democratic presidential candidate}}

Predictions

Results

References

References

1. "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
2. Gale, John A.. (2006). "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska: Primary Election, May 9, 2006".
3. (May 4, 2006). "U.S. House, District 1: First re-election try". [[Lincoln Journal Star]].
4. (6 November 2006). "2006 Competitive House Race Chart". Cook Political Report.
5. (6 November 2006). "2006 House Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report.
6. (6 November 2006). "2006 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball.
7. (7 November 2006). "Battle for the House of Representatives". Real Clear Politics.
8. "Balance of Power Scorecard: House". Congressional Quarterly Inc.
9. Gale, John A.. (2006). "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska: General Election, November 7, 2006".
10. (May 10, 2006). "Top congressional candidates move on to November election". [[Lincoln Journal Star]].
11. Hammel, Paul. (April 19, 2006). "Vavricek stresses experience with economic development". [[Omaha World-Herald]].
12. Hammel, Paul. (April 17, 2006). "Hanson no stranger to district's concerns". [[Omaha World-Herald]].
13. Hammel, Paul. (April 20, 2006). "3rd District rivals don't go by the book". [[Omaha World-Herald]].
14. (February 14, 2006). "Club for Growth money flowing to Smith campaign". [[Fremont Tribune]].
15. Hammel, Paul. (May 11, 2006). "Youth is served in House campaign". [[Omaha World-Herald]].
16. Walton, Don. (October 27, 2006). "GOP eye on 3rd District House race". [[Lincoln Journal Star]].
17. Reutter, Harold. (November 6, 2006). "Bush rallies GOP: President's G.I. stop gives hope to Republican faithful". [[The Grand Island Independent]].
18. Saulny, Susan. (April 25, 2007). "States Seek Limits on 'Robocalls' in Campaigns". [[New York Times]].
19. Hammel, Paul. (December 22, 2006). "BComplaints about election 'robo calls' spur investigation". [[Omaha World-Herald]].
20. Bratton, Anna Jo. (January 10, 2007). "Legislature to consider regulating number of automated campaign calls". [[The Grand Island Independent]].
21. Pluhacek, Zach. (June 6, 2007). "PSC ends probe of illegitimate Kleeb calls". [[Lincoln Journal Star]].
22. (October 27, 2006). "Gen. Clark endorses Kleeb". North Platte Telegraph.