2014 Nebraska elections

none February 2026 February 2026 2014 Nebraska elections Nebraska Midterm no 2016 2012 The 2014 Nebraska state elections took place on November 4, 2014. Voters in Nebraska elected all three of the state's representatives to the United States House of Representatives, as well as all statewide executive officials, including the Governor. Additionally, elections were held for half of the seats in the Nebraska Legislature, positions on the Nebraska Public Service Commission, the State Board of Education, and the Board of Regents. Judicial retention elections and several constitutional amendments were also on the ballot. United States Senate United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2014 Incumbent Republican senator Mike Johanns declined to run for re-election to a second term. Republican Ben Sasse, the President of Midland University, won the Republican primary to succeed him over banker Sid Dinsdale, former State Treasurer Shane Osborn, attorney Bart McLeay, and businessman Clifton Johnson. In the general election, Sasse defeated Democratic nominee David Domina, a prominent attorney. 2014 United States Senate election in NebraskaOfficial Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, General Election, November 4, 2014 Gale John A. 2014 https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2014/2014-General-Canvass-Recount-Final.pdf 19 Republican Party (United States) Ben Sasse 347,636 64.34% +6.82% Democratic Party (United States) Dave Domina 170,127 31.49% -8.57% Independent (United States) Jim Jenkins 15,868 2.94% — Independent (United States) Todd Watson 6,260 1.16% — 446 0.08% — 177,509 32.85% +15.39% 540,337 100.0% Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2014 All of Nebraska's three seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2014, and all three incumbent Republican congressmen ran for re-election. Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith won landslide re-elections in the 1st and 3rd districts, respectively. Congressman Lee Terry was narrowly defeated for re-election by Democrat Brad Ashford, one of just two Democratic gains in the House that year. DistrictRepublicanDemocraticOthersTotalResult Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %District 1 123,219 68.82% 55,838 31.18% 0 0.00% 179,057 100% Republican holdDistrict 2 78,157 45.57% 83,872 48.90% 9,480 5.53% 171,509 100% Democratic gainDistrict 3 139,440 75.39% 45,524 24.61% 0 0.00% 184,964 100% Republican holdTotal 340,816 63.64% 185,234 34.59% 9,480 1.77% 535,530 100% Governor and lieutenant governor 2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election Incumbent Republican Governor Dave Heineman was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third consecutive term. Businessman and 2006 Senate candidate Pete Ricketts narrowly won the Republican primary over Attorney General Jon Bruning and faced former University Regent Chuck Hassebrook in the general election, whom he defeated in a landslide. 2014 Nebraska gubernatorial electionOfficial Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, General Election, November 4, 2014 Gale John A. 2014 https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2014/2014-General-Canvass-Recount-Final.pdf 19 Republican Party (United States) Pete Ricketts 308,751 57.15% -16.75% Democratic Party (United States) Chuck Hassebrook 211,905 39.23% +13.13% Libertarian Party (United States) Mark Elworth 19,001 3.52% — 545 0.10% — 96,846 17.92% -29.89% 540,202 100.0% Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) Secretary of State 2014 Nebraska Secretary of State election Nebraska presidential no 2010 Nebraska elections#Secretary of State 2010 2018 Nebraska elections#Secretary of State 2018 3x4.svg 150x150px John A. Gale Republican Party (United States) 368,135 75.1% 3x4.svg Ben Backus Libertarian Party (United States) 121,470 24.8% File:2014 Nebraska secretary of state election results map by county.svg 300px County resultsGale: #d75d5d 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #A80000 >90% Secretary of State John A. Gale Republican Party (United States) John A. Gale Republican Party (United States) Incumbent Secretary of State John A. Gale ran for re-election to a fourth full term in office. He did not face major-party opposition and defeated Libertarian nominee Ben Backus in the general election with 75% of the vote. Republican primary Candidates John A. Gale, incumbent Secretary of State Results Republican primary resultsOfficial Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 13, 2014 Gale John A. 2014 https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2014/2014-Final-Canvas-PR14-After-6-11-14-Recount.pdf 33 John A. Gale (inc.) Republican Party (United States) 175,764 100.00% 175,764 100.00% Libertarian primary Candidates Ben Backus Results Libertarian primary results Ben Backus Libertarian Party (United States) 492 100.00% 492 100.00% General election 2014 Nebraska Secretary of State election Republican Party (United States) John A. Gale (inc.) 368,135 75.19% +5.44% Libertarian Party (United States) Ben Backus 121,470 24.81% 246,665 50.38% +10.88% 489,605 Republican Party (United States) Libertarian Party (United States) State Treasurer Incumbent State Treasurer Don Stenberg ran for re-election to a second term in office. He was challenged in the Republican primary by Omaha businessman Christopher Costello,Nebraska state treasurer faces primary challenge Beatrice Daily Sun 2014-04-30 A4 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/beatrice-daily-sun/165844329/ whom he defeated with 85% of the vote. In the general election, Stenberg was opposed by the Democratic nominee, Michael O'Hara, a law and economics professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha, and Libertarian nominee Michael Knebel, a futures broker. Stenberg defeated both to win re-election with 68% of the vote. Republican primary Candidates Don Stenberg, incumbent State Treasurer Christopher Costello, Omaha businessman Results Republican primary results Don Stenberg (inc.) Republican Party (United States) 172,861 84.98% Christopher Costello Republican Party (United States) 30,566 15.02% 203,427 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Michael J. O'Hara, University of Nebraska Omaha business law professor Results Democratic primary results Michael J. O'Hara Democratic Party (United States) 61,147 100.00% 61,147 100.00% Libertarian primary Candidates Michael Knebel, futures broker Results Libertarian primary results Michael Knebel Libertarian Party (United States) 480 100.00% 480 100.00% General election 2014 Nebraska State Treasurer election Republican Party (United States) Don Stenberg (inc.) 357,474 68.14% -4.80% Democratic Party (United States) Michael J. O'Hara 139,101 26.52% -0.54% Libertarian Party (United States) Michael Knebel 28,009 5.34% 218,373 41.63% -4.25% 524,584 Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) 300px|thumb|Results by county Stenberg: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #A80000 90–100% Attorney General 2014 Nebraska Attorney General election Nebraska presidential no 2010 Nebraska elections#Attorney General 2010 2014 11 03 2018 Nebraska elections#Attorney General 2018 x150px Doug Peterson Republican Party (US) 339,846 66.06% Janet Stewart Democratic Party (US) 174,614 33.94% 2014 Nebraska attorney general election results map by county.svg 300px County resultsPeterson: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90% #A80000 >90% Attorney General Jon Bruning Republican Party (US) Doug Peterson Republican Party (US) Incumbent Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning did not run for a fourth term, instead unsuccessfully running 2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election#Republican primary for Governor. A crowded Republican primary developed, with three attorneys in private practice—Doug Peterson, Brian C. Buescher, and Mike Hilgers—and State Senator Pete Pirsch all running.Hammel Paul Candidates count on high-level endorsers Omaha World-Herald 2014-04-27 1B, 3B 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/165845194/ Peterson won the primary with a 34% plurality and advanced to the general election, where he faced attorney Janet Stewart, the Democratic nominee. He won his first term as Attorney General over Stewart with 66% of the vote. Republican primary Candidates Doug Peterson, Lincoln attorney and nephew of former Governor Val Peterson Brian C. Buescher, Omaha attorney Mike Hilgers, Lincoln attorney and 2012 candidate for the state legislature Pete Pirsch, State Senator Results Republican primary results Doug Peterson Republican Party (United States) 67,678 34.05% Brian C. Buescher Republican Party (United States) 48,316 24.30% Mike Hilgers Republican Party (United States) 43,371 21.83% Pete Pirsch Republican Party (United States) 30,321 15.82% 198,686 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Janet Stewart, Fremont attorney, 2010 Democratic nominee for Secretary of StateNebraska Races: Meet the Candidates Omaha World-Herald 2014-10-26 2025-02-16 13A https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/165837942/ Allan J. Eurek, Lincoln attorney, 1994 Democratic nominee for Secretary of StateLincoln lawyer joins race for attorney general Lincoln Journal Star 2014-03-06 B2 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star/165846046/ Results Democratic primary results Janet Stewart Democratic Party (United States) 47,944 72.26% Allan J. Eurek Democratic Party (United States) 18,407 27.74% 66,351 100.00% General election 2014 Nebraska Attorney General election Republican Party (United States) Doug Peterson 339,846 66.06% -33.94% Democratic Party (United States) Janet Stewart 174,614 33.94% — 165,232 32.12% -67.88% 514,460 Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) Auditor of Public Accounts Incumbent Auditor Mike Foley opted to run for Governor instead of seeking re-election. State Senator Charlie Janssen won the Republican primary over Larry Anderson, an employee in the office,Hammel Paul Agency employee will run for state auditor Omaha World-Herald 2014-02-28 3B 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/165846867/ and faced fellow State Senator Amanda McGill, the Democratic nominee, in the general election. Janssen defeated McGill by a wide margin to win his first term. Republican primary Candidates Charlie Janssen, State Senator Larry Anderson, Auditor's office employee Results Republican primary results Charlie Janssen Republican Party (United States) 93,212 56.63% Larry Anderson Republican Party (United States) 71,389 43.37% 164,601 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Amanda McGill Results Democratic primary results Amanda McGill Democratic Party (United States) 63,414 100.00% 63,414 100.00% 2014 Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts election Republican Party (United States) Charlie Janssen 294,688 59.07% -20.55% Democratic Party (United States) Amanda McGill 204,221 40.93% — 90,467 18.13% -41.10% 498,909 Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) 300px|thumb|Results by county Janssen: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% McGill: #7996E2 50–60% Public Service Commissioner District 2 Long-time incumbent Public Service Commissioner Anne Boyle, a Democrat, declined to seek re-election. Crystal Rhoades, a member of the Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors, narrowly won the Democratic primary over attorney Jim Esch and John Green, a member of the Omaha Public Power District Board of Directors.Duffy Erin Democratic hopefuls mum on Keystone XL stand Omaha World-Herald April 30, 2014 1B, 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/165477689/ In the general election, she faced State Board of Education member John Sieler, the Republican nominee, and defeated him to win her first term on the Commission. Republican primary Candidates John Sieler, member of the State Board of Education Results Republican primary results John Sieler Republican Party (United States) 14,954 100.00% 14,954 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Crystal Rhoades, member of the Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors Jim Esch, attorney, 2006 and 2008 Democratic nominee for Congress John Green, member of the Omaha Public Power District Board of Directors Results Democratic primary results Crystal Rhoades Democratic Party (United States) 5,974 42.85% Jim Esch Democratic Party (United States) 5,507 39.48% John Green Democratic Party (United States) 2,265 16.27% 13,746 100.00% General election 2014 District 2 election Crystal Rhoades Democratic Party (United States) 46,405 56.63% John Sieler Republican Party (United States) 35,519 43.37% 81,924 100.00% Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) State Board of Education District 5 Incumbent Board member Patricia H. Timm ran for re-election, and was challenged by Tecumseh businesswoman Christine Lade. Timm ran as a supporter of public education, while Lade campaigned against federal intervention in local schools, in support of "local and parental control of their children's education," and on her "conservative views."Dejka Joe School accountability is on the mind of board candidates Omaha World-Herald 2014-10-31 4B 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/165839184/ Timm defeated Lade by a wide margin to win re-election. Candidates Patricia H. Timm, incumbent Board of Education member Christine Lade, Tecumseh businesswoman Primary election results Nonpartisan primary results Patricia H. Timm (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 18,973 59.76% Christine Lade Nonpartisan candidate 12,781 40.24% 31,754 100.00% General election results Nonpartisan general results Patricia H. Timm (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 27,923 57.91% Christine Lade Nonpartisan candidate 20,291 42.09% 48,214 100.00% District 6 Incumbent Board member Lynn Cronk declined to run for re-election. Maureen Nickels, a former teacher in the Grand Island Public School district,Former G.I. teacher to run for State Board of Education Kearney Hub 2014-03-04 3A 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kearney-hub/165839807/ ran to succeed her, and was elected unopposed. Candidates Maureen Nickels, Grand Island Public School teacher Primary election results Nonpartisan primary results Maureen Nickels Nonpartisan candidate 36,220 100.00% 36,220 100.00% General election results Nonpartisan general results Maureen Nickels Nonpartisan candidate 48,624 100.00% 48,624 100.00% District 7 Incumbent Board member Molly O'Holleran ran for re-election to a second term, and was challenged by retired school administrator Robin Stevens. O'Holleran and Stevens largely agreed on the need to reduce the emphasis on standardized testing and on their opposition to the adoption of Common Core standards. O'Holleran ultimately defeated Stevens by a wide margin to win re-election. Candidates Molly O'Holleran, incumbent Board member Robin Stevens, retired school administrator Primary election results Nonpartisan primary results Molly O'Holleran (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 23,473 57.46% Robin Stevens Nonpartisan candidate 17,372 42.54% 40,845 100.00% General election results Nonpartisan general results Molly O'Holleran (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 34,502 61.96% Robin R. Stevens Nonpartisan candidate 21,178 38.04% 55,680 100.00% District 8 Incumbent Board member John Sieler opted to run for the Public Service Commission instead of seeking re-election. Political consultant Patrick McPherson, who previously served on the Papio Natural Resources District Board of Directors; retired school administrator and former Grand Island City Councilman Bob Meyers; and children's advocate Clarice Jackson all ran to succeed him. Though the race was formally nonpartisan, McPherson was a Republican and Meyers and Jackson were both Democrats. Meyers was endorsed by the Nebraska State Education Association,Dejka Joe 3 candidates call for high standards Omaha World-Herald 2014-04-24 2B 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/165840528/ while Jackson, a charter school advocate, received endorsements from local Democrats and Republicans.Dejka Joe Facing Meyers, McPherson says he expects a 'spirited race' Omaha World-Herald 2014-05-14 6A 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/165841706/ In the nonpartisan primary, McPherson placed first and Meyers placed second, advancing to the general election. At the ensuing general election, McPherson defeated Meyers. Candidates Patrick J. McPherson, political consultant Bob Meyers, retired school administrator Clarice L. Jackson, executive director and founder of the Voice Advocacy Center Primary election results Nonpartisan primary results Patrick J. McPherson Nonpartisan candidate 9,315 41.51% Bob Meyers Nonpartisan candidate 8,002 35.64% Clarice L. Jackson Nonpartisan candidate 6,365 22.85% 23,682 100.00% General election results Nonpartisan general results Patrick J. McPherson Nonpartisan candidate 26,204 54.60% Bob Meyers Nonpartisan candidate 21,797 45.40% 48,001 100.00% Board of Regents District 1 Incumbent Regent Tim Clare ran for re-election and won his second term unopposed. Candidates Tim Clare, incumbent Regent Primary election results Nonpartisan primary results Tim Clare (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 36,274 100.00% 36,274 100.00% General election results Nonpartisan general results Tim Clare (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 51,394 100.00% 51,394 100.00% District 2 Incumbent Regent Howard Hawks ran for re-election and won his second term unopposed. Candidates Howard Hawks, incumbent Regent Primary election results Nonpartisan primary results Howard Hawks (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 24,216 100.00% 24,216 100.00% General election results Nonpartisan general results Howard Hawks (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 48,651 100.00% 48,651 100.00% District 5 Incumbent Regent Rob Schafer, who was appointed to the Board in 2013 to replace Lieutenant Governor Lavon Heidemann, ran for re-election for a full term. He was challenged for re-election by businessman Steve Glenn and former Regent Robert J. Prokop, who had previously served from 1971 to 1983.Businessman files for Regents seat Lincoln Journal Star 2014-03-14 B3 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star/165842858/ At the nonpartisan primary, Glenn and Schafer placed first and second, respectively, and advanced to the general election. In the general election, both candidates agreed on the need to keep spending and tuition low, and each argued that their experience was better suited for the position. Schafer received the endorsement of the Nebraska Republican Party and Governor Dave Heineman, while Glenn was supported by comedian and Nebraska native Dan Whitney, known as Larry the Cable Guy.Perry Kate Howard 2 candidates have similar goals, different backgrounds Omaha World-Herald 2014-05-06 2B 2025-02-16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/165843012/ Schafer ultimately defeated Glenn by a narrow margin to win re-election. Candidates Rob Schafer, incumbent Regent Steve Glenn Robert J. Prokop, former Regent Primary election results Nonpartisan primary results Steve Glenn Nonpartisan candidate 14,966 41.10% Rob Schafer (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 12,912 35.47% Robert J. Prokop Nonpartisan candidate 8,410 23.43% 36,288 100.00% General election results Nonpartisan general results Rob Schafer (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 32,126 53.25% Steve Glenn Nonpartisan candidate 28,205 46.75% 60,331 100.00% References 2 Nebraska