United States Senate elections in Nebraska, 2014

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U.S. Senate, Nebraska General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBen Sasse 64.4% 347,636
     Democratic Dave Domina 31.5% 170,127
     Independent Jim Jenkins 2.9% 15,868
     Independent Todd Watson 1.2% 6,260
Total Votes 539,891
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State



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2014 U.S. Senate Elections in Nebraska
General Election Date
November 4, 2014
Primary Date
May 13, 2014
November 4 Election Winner:
Ben Sasse Republican Party
Incumbent prior to election:
Mike Johanns Republican Party
Mike Johanns.jpg
Race Ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid R[1]

Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe R[2]

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2014 U.S. House Elections
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Voters in Nebraska elected Ben Sasse (R) to the U.S. Senate in the election on November 4, 2014.

The Republican primary for Nebraska's 2014 U.S. Senate election was rated as a hotly contested primary. However, Ben Sasse, who had the support of many tea party groups, defeated the four other Republican candidates by strong margins.[3] The Cook Political Report rated the U.S. Senate election in Nebraska as a solid Republican district.[4] Sasse also had a huge advantage over Domina in both polls and finances. This was a victory for the tea party, which had struggled in the past to get its candidates elected over more moderate, establishment Republicans.

Candidate Filing Deadline Primary Election General Election
March 3, 2014
May 13, 2014
November 4, 2014

Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. In Nebraska, a top-two primary system is used for the nonpartisan legislature and some other statewide races. All other primaries are semi-closed.[5]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Voter registration: Voters had to register to vote in the primary by either April 25, 2014, by mail or carrier, or by May 2, 2014, in person. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 17, 2014.[6]

See also: Nebraska elections, 2014

Incumbent: The election filled the Senate seat previously held by Mike Johanns (R). Johanns was first elected in 2008. He announced in February 2013 that he would not seek re-election in 2014.[7][8] He joined a long list of U.S. Congress incumbents who did not run for re-election in 2014.

Candidates

General election candidates


May 13, 2014, primary results

Republican Party Republican Primary

Democratic Party Democratic Primary

Grey.png Independent candidates

Declined to run

Failed to file


Election results

General election

U.S. Senate, Nebraska General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBen Sasse 64.4% 347,636
     Democratic Dave Domina 31.5% 170,127
     Independent Jim Jenkins 2.9% 15,868
     Independent Todd Watson 1.2% 6,260
Total Votes 539,891
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State

Primary election

U.S. Senate, Nebraska Republican Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngBen Sasse 49.3% 110,802
Sid Dinsdale 22.5% 50,494
Shane Osborn 21.1% 47,338
Bart McLeay 5.7% 12,840
Clifton Johnson 1.5% 3,310
Total Votes 224,784
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State
U.S. Senate, Nebraska Democratic Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngDave Domina 67.6% 45,648
Larry Marvin 32.4% 21,904
Total Votes 67,552
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State

Race background

Republican primary

The majority of polls showed Shane Osborn and Ben Sasse as the main contenders to win the Republican nomination in the primary on May 13, 2014. However, a poll commissioned by Sasse's campaign in late April 2014 showed that Sid Dinsdale was closing in on the frontrunners.[21] Daniel Horowitz, from the Madison project, explained that Dinsdale posed a threat to Osborn and Sasse because they spent so much time criticizing each other, leaving Dinsdale unscathed.[22] In the weeks prior to the primary, when Dinsdale started closing the gap, Republican groups such as the Madison Project, Club for Growth and the 60 Plus Association began running ads opposing Dinsdale, causing him to respond with defensive ads. In the Republican primary, Dinsdale did overtake Osborn, but Sasse defeated both by a safe margin with about 50 percent of the vote.

Polls

Republican primary

Republican primary candidates
Poll Sid Dinsdale Ben SasseShane OsbornBart McLeayOther/UndecidedMargin of ErrorSample Size
Strategic National
May 7-8, 2014
 23%34%20%8%14.5%+/-4.9500
NSON Opinion Strategy
April 16-20, 2014[23]
 12.8%29.2%26.8%3.3%27.9%+/-5400
Conservative Intel/Harper Poll of Nebraska
February 5, 2014
 13.10%29.03%30.44%4.25%23.19%+/-4565
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected]

General election

Ben Sasse vs. Dave Domina
Poll Ben Sasse Dave DominaOther candidateUndecidedMargin of ErrorSample Size
Rasmussen Reports (May 14-15, 2014)
 51%34%5%10%+/-4750
Rasmussen Reports (April 7-8, 2014)
 52%27%5%16%+/-4750
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected]

Endorsements

See also: Contested primaries in U.S. Congressional elections, 2014
Nebraska Senate Republican Contested Primary
Endorsement/Contribution Shane Osborn Ben Sasse Bart McLeay Sid Dinsdale Clifton Johnson
Senate Conservatives Fund October 22, 2013
Club for Growth November 7, 2013
FreedomWorks** November 11, 2013 March 28, 2014
Dick Armey November 14, 2013
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) November 21, 2013
National Review January 10, 2014
Erick Erickson January 17, 2014
Mark Levin January 17, 2014
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) February 10, 2014
Gun Owners for America February 12, 2014
Concerned Women for America February 19, 2014
Family Research Council February 21, 2014
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) March 4, 2014
Phyllis Schlafly March 4, 2014
Sarah Palin March 13, 2014
Tea Party Patriots Citizen Fund April 17, 2014
Ted Cruz April 23, 2014
Tea Party Express May 06, 2014

[25][26][27][26]

Media

Shane Osborn

Shane Osborn's campaign ad
Club for Growth ad opposing Osborn
60 Plus ad opposing Osborn
  • In his campaign ad, Shane Osborn claimed that he, unlike his opponents in the primary, has proven that he will follow through with his promises. Osborn says that while he was State Treasurer, he cut his office's budget and helped find employment for veterans.[28]
  • The 60 Plus Association released an ad on May 2, 2014, in which veterans criticize Osborn for having a friend write a false memo, which Osborn claimed was an official Navy document.

[30]

Ben Sasse

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Osborn criticizes Sasse for remarks on Obamacare
Senate Conservatives Fund ad supporting Sasse
Freedom Pioneers Action Network ad opposing Sasse
  • The Freedom Pioneers Action Network released an ad opposing Sasse in May 2014, criticizing him for saying that Obamacare "is an important first step." Sasse defends himself by saying that this quote was taken out of context.[33]

Sid Dinsdale

The Madison Project radio ad opposing Dinsdale
Club for Growth ad opposing Dinsdale
60 Plus Association ad opposing Dinsdale
Sid Dinsdale 2014 campaign ad
  • In a May 2014 radio ad, the Madison Project characterized Sid Dinsdale as a liberal masquerading as a Republican.[34]
  • Following a radio ad by the Madison Project, Club for Growth released a similarly themed television ad in May 2014 saying that Dinsdale would raise the debt ceiling and believed Obamacare has "some good aspects."[35]
  • The 60 Plus Association followed other outside groups in criticizing Dinsdale for not being a true conservative, focusing specifically on Dinsdale's statement that he would vote to raise the debt limit.[36]
  • In order to defend himself against ads opposing him from outside groups, Dinsdale released an ad of his own, stating that he would try to reduce spending "so we don’t have to raise the debt ceiling ever again."[37]

Campaign contributions

Ben Sasse

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Sasse's reports.[38]

Dave Domina

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Domina's reports.[46]

Dave Domina (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
April Quarterly[47]July 15, 2014$0.00$303,460.15$(113,932.76)$189,527.39
Pre-Primary[48]July 15, 2014$189,527.39$26,681.12$(80,582.27)$135,626.24
July Quarterly[49]October 15, 2014$135,626.24$301,609.26$(213,257.67)$223,977.83
October Quarterly[50]October 23, 2014$223,977.83$206,660.17$(292,724.40)$137,913.60
Pre-General[51]October 23, 2014$137,913.60$244,634.91$(146,402.61)$236,145.90
Running totals
$1,083,045.61$(846,899.71)

Jim Jenkins

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Jenkins' reports.[52]

Todd Watson

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Watson's reports.[59]

Todd Watson (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
April Quarterly[60]April 14, 2014$0.00$10,957.00$(6,162.00)$4,795.00
July Quarterly[61]July 8, 2014$4,795.00$126,908.07$(21,265.03)$110,438.04
October Quarterly[62]October 13, 2014$110,438.04$13,192.31$(9,203.00)$114,427.35
Pre-General[63]October 22, 2014$114,427.35$3,580.58$(7,462.78)$110,545.15
Running totals
$154,637.96$(44,092.81)

Shane Osborn

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Osborn's reports.[64]

Shane Osborn (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
July Quarterly[65]April 4, 2014$0.00$233,868.00$(4,666.13)$229,201.87
October Quarterly[66]April 4, 2014$229,201.87$336,554.46$(138,996.95)$426,759.38
Year-End[67]April 11, 2014$426,759.38$369,006.02$(213,430.00)$582,335.40
April Quarterly[68]April 11, 2014$582,335.40$617,091.98$(431,148.10)$768,279.28
Running totals
$1,556,520.46$(788,241.18)

Bart McLeay

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are McLeay's reports.[69]

Bart McLeay (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
October Quarterly[70]October 10, 2013$0.00$303,562.53$(42,844.76)$260,717.77
Year-End[71]February 21, 2014$260,717.77$134,161.43$(154,841.16)$240,038.04
April Quarterly[72]April 13, 2014$240,038.04$118,222.33$(209,272.69)$148,987.68
Running totals
$555,946.29$(406,958.61)

Sid Dinsdale

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Dinsdale's reports.[73]

Election history

2012

On November 6, 2012, Deb Fischer won election to the United States Senate. She defeated Bob Kerrey and Russell Anderson in the general election.

U.S. Senate, Nebraska General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDeb Fischer 57.8% 455,593
     Democratic Bob Kerrey 42.2% 332,979
Total Votes 788,572
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2008

On November 4, 2008, Johanns was elected to the United States Senate. He defeated Scott Kleeb (D), Kelly Renee Rosberg (Nebraska) and Steve Larrick (Green).[76]

U.S. Senate, Nebraska General Election, 2008
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMike Johanns 57.5% 455,854
     Democratic Scott Kleeb 40.1% 317,456
     Nebraska Kelly Renee Rosberg 1.4% 11,438
     Green Steven R. Larrick 1% 7,763
Total Votes 792,511

See also

External links


Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2014 Senate Race Ratings for August 22, 2014," accessed August 25, 2014
  2. ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2014 Senate Races," accessed August 25, 2014
  3. ↑ Fox News, "Tea Party-backed candidate Sasse wins GOP Senate primary in Nebraska," accessed May 28, 2014
  4. ↑ The Cook Political Report, "2014 Senate Race Ratings for May 23, 2014
  5. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures Website, "State Primary Election Types," accessed April 18, 2023
  6. ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State Website, "Voter Information Frequently Asked Questions," accessed January 3, 2014
  7. ↑ NY Times.com, "Republican Senator From Nebraska Won’t Run in 2014," February 18, 2013
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 NBC News, "Johanns on Senate retirement: 'Time to close this chapter,'" accessed February 18, 2013
  9. ↑ Watchdog.org, "Sasse jumping in Senate race," accessed August 19, 2013
  10. ↑ Journal Star, "Shane Osborn launches Senate campaign," accessed July 15, 2013
  11. ↑ Campaign website, "Home," accessed February 5, 2014
  12. ↑ Campaign website, "Home," accessed February 5, 2014
  13. ↑ Campaign website, "Home," accessed December 11, 2013
  14. ↑ Nebraska Watchdog, "Democrat enters Nebraska U.S. Senate race," accessed January 21, 2014
  15. ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "Statewide Candidate List for May 13, 2014 Primary Election," accessed May 11, 2014
  16. ↑ Campaign website, "Home," accessed February 27, 2014
  17. ↑ Campaign website, "Home," accessed February 27, 2014
  18. ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Dave Heineman weighs Senate bid," accessed February 18, 2013
  19. ↑ Candidate Website, "Intro," accessed January 14, 2014
  20. ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "Statewide Candidate List," accessed October 6, 2014
  21. ↑ National Review, "New Poll: Sasse Leads Tough Three-Way Fight in Nebraska," accessed May 11, 2014
  22. ↑ Roll Call, "Sid Dinsdale Fires Back in TV Ad," accessed May 11, 2014
  23. ↑ The Hill, "Poll: Nebraska Senate GOP primary a dead heat," accessed May 5, 2014
  24. ↑ FreedomWorks, "FreedomWorks PAC Withdraws Osborn Support, Endorses Ben Sasse in Nebraska Senate Race," accessed March 28, 2014
  25. ↑ Omaha.com, "Senate hopeful Ben Sasse picks up endorsement of ex-House Majority Leader Dick Armey," accessed November 15, 2013
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Watchdog.org, "FreedomWorks endorses Osborn for Senate," accessed November 13, 2013
  27. ↑ Roll Call, "Rep. Paul Ryan Gives Support to Ben Sasse in Nebraska Senate Race," accessed November 19, 2013
  28. ↑ YouTube, "Proven Conservative," accessed March 31, 2014
  29. ↑ YouTube, "Nebraska Way," accessed April 23, 2014
  30. ↑ Roll Call, "Veterans Blast Shane Osborn on TV in Senate Race," accessed May 5, 2014
  31. ↑ National Journal, "Osborn's New Ad Hits Sasse's Obamacare Past," accessed April 29, 2014
  32. ↑ The Hill, "Nebraska Senate GOP primary ad war heats up," accessed May 8, 2014
  33. ↑ Roll Call, "Super PAC Uses Candidate’s Kids to Attack His Campaign," accessed May 8, 2014
  34. ↑ YouTube, "Nebraska Senate: Sid Dinsdale: Counterfeit Conservative," accessed May 11, 2014
  35. ↑ Roll Call, "Outside Groups Target Dinsdale Ahead of Nebraska Primary," accessed May 11, 2014
  36. ↑ YouTube, "Debt," accessed May 11, 2014
  37. ↑ Roll Call, "Sid Dinsdale Fires Back in TV Ad," accessed May 11, 2014
  38. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ben Sasse Summary Report," accessed April 29, 2014
  39. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ben Sasse October Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  40. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ben Sasse Year-End," accessed April 29, 2014
  41. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ben Sasse April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  42. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ben Sasse Pre-Primary," accessed November 3, 2014
  43. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ben Sasse July Quarterly," accessed November 3, 2014
  44. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ben Sasse October Quarterly," accessed November 3, 2014
  45. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Ben Sasse Pre-General," accessed November 3, 2014
  46. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Dave Domina Summary Report," accessed April 29, 2014
  47. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Dave Domina April Quarterly," accessed November 3, 2014
  48. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Dave Domina Pre-Primary," accessed November 3, 2014
  49. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Dave Domina July Quarterly," accessed November 3, 2014
  50. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Dave Domina October Quarterly," accessed November 3, 2014
  51. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Dave Domina Pre-General," accessed November 3, 2014
  52. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Jenkins 2014 Summary reports," accessed April 29, 2014
  53. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Jim Jenkins Year-End Quarterly," accessed February 27, 2014
  54. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Jim Jenkins April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  55. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Jim Jenkins Pre-Primary," accessed November 3, 2014
  56. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Jim Jenkins July Quarterly," accessed November 3, 2014
  57. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Jim Jenkins October Quarterly," accessed November 3, 2014
  58. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Jim Jenkins Pre-General," accessed November 3, 2014
  59. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Todd Watson Summary Report," accessed April 29, 2014
  60. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Todd Watson April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  61. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Todd Watson July Quarterly," accessed November 3, 2014
  62. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Todd Watson October Quarterly," accessed November 3, 2014
  63. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Todd Watson Pre-General," accessed November 3, 2014
  64. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Shane Osborn Summary Report," accessed April 29, 2014
  65. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Shane Osborn July Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  66. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Shane Osborn October Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  67. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Shane Osborn Year-End," accessed April 29, 2014
  68. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Shane Osborn April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  69. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Bart McLeay Summary Report," accessed April 29, 2014
  70. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Bart McLeay October Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  71. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Bart McLeay Year-End," accessed April 29, 2014
  72. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Bart McLeay April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  73. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Sid Dinsdale Summary Report," accessed April 29, 2014
  74. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Sid Dinsdale Year-End Quarterly," accessed February 18, 2014
  75. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Sid Dinsdale April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
  76. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
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Nebraska's current delegation to the United States Congress
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Pete Ricketts (R)
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