Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1994

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1994

1990 ← November 8, 1994 → 1998

Nominee Ben Nelson Gene Spence Party Democratic Republican Running mate Kim Robak Kate Witek Popular vote 423,270 148,230 Percentage 73.03% 25.58%

Governor before election Ben Nelson Democratic Elected Governor Ben Nelson Democratic

The 1994 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994, and featured incumbent Governor Ben Nelson, a Democrat defeating Republican nominee and businessman Gene Spence with 73% of the vote to win a second term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ben Nelson, incumbent Governor of Nebraska
• Robert Franklin Winingar
• Robb Nimic

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	Ben Nelson (inc.)	101,422	88.10%
	Democratic	Robert Franklin Winingar	6,993	6.07%
	Democratic	Robb Nimic	6,373	5.54%
	Democratic	Write-ins	327	0.28%
Totals			115,115	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Gene Spence, businessman
• Ralph Knobel, farmer and former Chairman of the Republican Party of Nebraska
• Alan Jacobsen, roofing company owner
• John DeCamp, former Nebraska State Senator
• Mort Sullivan, perennial candidate

Results

Republican Primary results[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Republican	Gene Spence	69,529	38.07%
	Republican	Ralph Knobel	57,719	31.60%
	Republican	Alan Jacobsen	27,374	14.99%
	Republican	John DeCamp	24,414	13.37%
	Republican	Mort Sullivan	3,363	1.84%
	Republican	Write-ins	234	0.13%
Totals			182,633	100.00%

General election

Campaign

Though Governor Nelson ultimately did approve of an action to prevent foster children from living with homosexuals or unmarried couples after he was re-elected, Spence hammered the Governor for not supporting restrictions on foster homes.^[2] Ultimately, four weeks before the elections, many prominent Republicans accused Spence of "throwing in the towel" and essentially conceding defeat to Nelson before any ballots were cast.^[3] The divided Republican primary and Gene Spence's inability to unite the Party following his plurality victory in the primary eventually led to Nelson's overwhelming re-election.^[4]

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1994[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Ben Nelson	423,270	73.03%	+23.12%
	Republican	Gene Spence	148,230	25.58%	-23.65%
	Write-ins		8,061	1.39%
Majority			275,040	47.46%	+46.77%
Turnout			579,561
	Democratic hold		Swing

Note: State Senator Ernie Chambers received 2,976 votes as a write-in candidate; his votes are included in the total for write-in candidates.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/epubs/S1200/S001-1994prim_gen.pdf
2. ^ "Nebraska Moves to Bar Homosexuals From Being Foster Parents - New York Times". Nytimes.com. 1995-01-29. http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/29/us/nebraska-moves-to-bar-homosexuals-from-being-foster-parents.html. Retrieved 2011-06-19. 
3. ^ Jordan, Joe (2010-06-15). "History of Omaha Congressional Race Cuts Both Ways". Nebraska.watchdog.org. http://nebraska.watchdog.org/6426/history-of-omaha-congressional-race-cuts-both-ways/. Retrieved 2011-06-19. 
4. ^ Posted 3:18 PM by Susan (2004-05-07). "GoBigEd". Gobiged.blogspot.com. http://gobiged.blogspot.com/2004/05/ed-politics-series-outside-influence.html. Retrieved 2011-06-19.