1994 Nebraska gubernatorial election

Summary

The 1994 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994. Incumbent Governor Ben Nelson won a re-election to a second term in a landslide, defeating Republican businessman Gene Spence by 47.4 percentage points and sweeping all but two counties in the state. As of 2024, this is the last time that a Democrat was elected governor of Nebraska.

1994 Nebraska gubernatorial election

← 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 73.0% 25.6%

County results
Nelson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Spence:      50–60%

Governor before election

Ben Nelson
Democratic

Elected Governor

Ben Nelson
Democratic

Democratic primary edit

Governor edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

Democratic gubernatorial primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ben Nelson (incumbent) 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
Total votes 115,115 100.00

Lieutenant governor edit

Candidates edit

Kim M. Robak ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.[2] She was the incumbent Nebraska Lieutenant Governor who was appointed in 1993 by Governor Ben Nelson after Maxine Moul resigned.[3]

Results edit

Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kim M. Robak (incumbent) 94,936 99.53
Democratic Write-ins 447 0.47
Total votes 95,383 100.00

Republican primary edit

Governor edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

Republican gubernatorial primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
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
Total votes 182,633 100.00

Lieutenant governor edit

Candidates edit

Results edit

Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kate Witek 68,113 44.80
Republican De Carlson 47,262 31.09
Republican Hoss Dannehl 20,437 13.44
Republican Willie J. Carr, Jr. 16,111 10.60
Republican Write-ins 114 0.07
Total votes 152,037 100.00

General election edit

Campaign edit

Though 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.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9]

Results edit

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1994[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ben Nelson (incumbent) 423,270 73.0%
Republican Gene Spence 148,230 25.6%
Write-in Ernie Chambers 2,510 0.4%
Write-in Others 5,551 1.0%
Total votes 579,561 100.0%
Democratic hold

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Allen J. Beermann; Ralph Englert (1994). "Official Report of the Board of Canvassers of the State of Nebraska" (PDF). Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  2. ^ "Nelson, Spence win respective primaries". Beatrice Daily Sun. May 11, 1994. p. 2. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  3. ^ J. L. Schmidt (September 14, 1993). "Lt. Governor Maxine Moul Resigns To Take DED Job". Alliance Times-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  4. ^ "De Carlson to run for lieutenant governor". Lincoln Journal Star. March 9, 1994. p. 2. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Bob Reeves (May 11, 1994). "Kate Witek nominated as lieutenant governor". Lincoln Star. p. 17. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  6. ^ State of Nebraska, 2020-21 Nebraska Blue Book (PDF), pp. 317–378, retrieved June 22, 2023
  7. ^ "Nebraska Moves to Bar Homosexuals From Being Foster Parents". New York Times. January 29, 1995. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  8. ^ Jordan, Joe (June 15, 2010). "History of Omaha Congressional Race Cuts Both Ways". Nebraska.watchdog.org. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  9. ^ Susan (May 7, 2004). "GoBigEd". Gobiged.blogspot.com. Retrieved June 19, 2011.