United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2006

The 2006 U.S. Senate election for the state of Nebraska was held November 7, 2006. Ben Nelson was elected in 2000 by a margin of 51% to 49% after serving as the state's governor for two terms. Nelson, considered the most conservative Democrat in the Senate, is the lone Democrat in Nebraska's Congressional delegation. However, he won re-election by a wide margin.

The primary election was held on May 9, 2006. Pete Ricketts won the Republican nomination with 48% of the vote. Ben Nelson was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.This election was one of the most expensive in Nebraska history. In 2005, Ben Nelson raised $3.9 million for his re-election campaign. Pete Ricketts contributed $14.35 million of his own money to his campaign; he raised an additional $485,000 in contributions. In comparison, David Kramer raised $330,000 and Don Stenberg $246,000 in 2005. The race also attracted national attention and generated several high-level campaign appearances. President George W. Bush appeared at a rally for Ricketts on November 5, 2006, in Grand Island, while then-Senator Barack Obama appeared at a fundraiser for Nelson and other Nebraska Democrats on May 5, 2006 in Omaha.

Republican primary

Candidates

Pete Ricketts - former COO of Ameritrade
David Kramer - attorney, Nebraska Republican Party chairman
Don Stenberg - former Nebraska Attorney General; 2000 Republican Senate nominee

Results

Unofficial results from the [http://www.sos.state.ne.us/elec/ElectNight/primary.htm Nebraska Secretary of State Office]:

General election