1994 Nebraska gubernatorial election

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

Elections in Nebraska
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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. As of 2020, this is the most recent election in which a Democrat was elected Governor of Nebraska.

Democratic primary

Candidates

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

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

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

Results

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

As of 2020, this was the last time that a Democrat had won the governorship of Nebraska.^[5]

References

This page was last edited on 25 January 2020, at 06:29