Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1994

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1994

November 8, 1994

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	%
	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
Total votes			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	%
	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

General election

Campaign

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.^[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. 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. 1995-01-29. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
3. Jordan, Joe (2010-06-15). "History of Omaha Congressional Race Cuts Both Ways". Nebraska.watchdog.org. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
4. Susan (2004-05-07). "GoBigEd". Gobiged.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-06-19.