2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska
All 3 Nebraska seats to the United States House of Representatives
	Republican 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
	Republican 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 and elected the three U.S. Representatives from the state of Nebraska. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on May 15, 2012.^[1]

Redistricting[]

A redistricting plan was passed by the Nebraska Legislature on May 24, 2011,^[2] after a five-hour Democratic-led filibuster was defeated.^[3]^[4] The plan signed into law by Republican Governor Dave Heineman.^[5]

District 1[]

Republican Jeff Fortenberry, who has represented Nebraska's 1st congressional district since 2005, did not run for the U.S. Senate, and is running for re-election.^[6]

Democratic primary[]

Korey Reiman, an attorney, sought and won the Democratic nomination to challenge Fortenberry unopposed.^[7] Robert Way, an Army combat medic, had planned to run but dropped out of the race in March 2012. (Way's name still appeared on the Democratic primary ballot.)^[7]^[8]

Primary results[]

Democratic primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Korey Reiman	14,804	62.9
	Democratic	Robert Way	8,728	37.1
Total votes			23,532	100.0

Republican primary[]

Dennis Parker, a former professional musician who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in the 3rd district in 2010,^[10] and Jessica Turek,^[11] unsuccessfully challenged Fortenberry in the Republican primary.

Primary results[]

Republican primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jeff Fortenberry (incumbent)	55,658	86.4
	Republican	Jessica Turek	5,255	8.2
	Republican	Dennis Parker	3,511	5.4
Total votes			64,424	100.0

General election[]

Results[]

Nebraska's 1st congressional district, 2012^[12]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jeff Fortenberry (incumbent)	174,889	68.3
	Democratic	Korey L. Reiman	81,206	31.7
Total votes			256,095	100.0
	Republican hold

District 2[]

Republican Lee Terry, who has represented Nebraska's 2nd congressional district since 1999, did not run for the U.S. Senate, and ran for re-election.^[6]

David Wasserman of The Cook Political Report rates the race as "Likely Republican."^[13]

Democratic primary[]

Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing^[14] won the Democratic nomination. He defeated state Senator Gwen Howard in the primary.^[15] Howard Warren Buffett, the director of the U.S. Department of Defense's agriculture development program in Iraq and Afghanistan and the grandson of investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett, chose not to run.^[16]

Primary results[]

Democratic primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Ewing	17,954	62.0
	Democratic	Gwen Howard	11,009	38.0
Total votes			28,963	100.0

Republican primary[]

Paul Anderson, an employee of BNSF Railway;^[17] Glenn Freeman, a former chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party;^[18] Jack Heidel, the chairman of the mathematics department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha;^[19] and Brett Lindstrom, a financial adviser and former Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback,^[20] unsuccessfully challenged Terry in the Republican primary.

Republican primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Lee Terry (incumbent)	27,998	59.5
	Republican	Brett Lindstrom	10,753	22.8
	Republican	Jack Heidel	5,406	11.5
	Republican	Glenn Freeman	1,885	4.0
	Republican	Paul Anderson	1,051	2.2
Total votes			47,093	100.0

General election[]

Polling[]

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Lee Terry (R)	John Ewing (D)	Undecided
World-Herald Poll	September 17–20, 2012	400	± 4.9%	50%	38%	12%

Results[]

Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, 2012^[12]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Lee Terry (incumbent)	133,964	50.8
	Democratic	John W. Ewing Jr.	129,767	49.2
Total votes			263,731	100.0
	Republican hold

District 3[]

Republican Adrian Smith, who has represented Nebraska's 3rd congressional district since 2007, is running for re-election.

Democratic primary[]

Mark Sullivan, a farmer, sought and received the Democratic nomination unopposed.^[7]

Primary results[]

Democratic primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mark Sullivan	17,500	100.0
Total votes			17,500	100.0

Republican primary[]

Bob Lingenfelter, a farmer and former NFL offensive lineman, unsuccessfully challenged Smith in the Republican primary.^[11]

Primary results[]

Republican primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Adrian Smith (incumbent)	62,645	81.4
	Republican	Bob Lingenfelter	14,297	18.6
Total votes			76,942	100.0

General election[]

Results[]

Nebraska's 3rd congressional district, 2012^[12]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Adrian Smith (incumbent)	187,423	74.2
	Democratic	Mark Sullivan	65,266	25.8
Total votes			252,689	100.0
	Republican hold

References[]

^ "2012 Elections". Nebraska Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
^ Hammel, Paul; Stoddard, Martha (May 25, 2011). "Redistricting bill advances". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
^ Walton, Don (May 23, 2011). "Congressional redistricting plan jumps Democratic roadblock". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
^ Hammel, Paul (May 24, 2011). "Redistricting rides to final vote". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
^ Schulte, Grant (May 26, 2011). "Nebraska lawmakers approve, governor signs congressional and legislative redistricting maps". Times-Post. Retrieved June 11, 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ ^a ^b Tysver, Robynn (January 9, 2012). "No Senate bids for Terry, Fortenberry". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c Walton, Don (March 1, 2012). "Democrats will contest all House races". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
^ Triebsch, Chris (March 24, 2012). "Robert Way Withdraws from Congressional Race, Endorses Korey Reiman". Nebraska Democratic Party. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska" (PDF). Secretary of State of Nebraska. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
^ Walton, Don (October 11, 2011). "1st district congressional candidate plans faith-based message". Lincoln Journal Star.
^ ^a ^b Warneke, Kent (March 2, 2012). "Final day sets up contested races in area". Norfolk Daily News. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/2012/pdf/2012-general-canvass.pdf^{[bare URL PDF]}
^ Green, Joshua (June 3, 2011). "Is Warren Buffett's Grandson Running for Congress?". The Atlantic. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
^ Walton, Don (July 18, 2011). "Douglas County treasurer seeks Terry's House seat". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
^ Szalewski, Susan (October 4, 2011). "Gwen Howard to run for Congress". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
^ Jordon, Steve (June 10, 2011). "Buffett grandson to run dad's foundation". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
^ "5 Republicans Hope To Be U.S. Congressman". KETV. April 19, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
^ O'Brien, Maggie (January 5, 2012). "Freeman to challenge Terry". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
^ "UNO chairman to run for Congress". Omaha World-Herald. September 6, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
^ Walton, Don (June 22, 2011). "GOP opponent challenges Terry leadership". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved June 24, 2011.

External links[]

Elections from the Nebraska Secretary of State
United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2012 at Ballotpedia
Nebraska U.S. House at OurCampaigns.com
Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in Nebraska at OpenSecrets.org
Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation
Map of Nebraska's new congressional districts, published by the Nebraska Legislature

[1] "2012 Elections". Nebraska Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.

[2] Hammel, Paul; Stoddard, Martha (May 25, 2011). "Redistricting bill advances". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 11, 2011.

[3] Walton, Don (May 23, 2011). "Congressional redistricting plan jumps Democratic roadblock". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved June 11, 2011.

[4] Hammel, Paul (May 24, 2011). "Redistricting rides to final vote". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 11, 2011.

[5] Schulte, Grant (May 26, 2011). "Nebraska lawmakers approve, governor signs congressional and legislative redistricting maps". Times-Post. Retrieved June 11, 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}

[terry_fortenberry-6] Tysver, Robynn (January 9, 2012). "No Senate bids for Terry, Fortenberry". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2012.

[democrats-7] Walton, Don (March 1, 2012). "Democrats will contest all House races". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved March 4, 2012.

[8] Triebsch, Chris (March 24, 2012). "Robert Way Withdraws from Congressional Race, Endorses Korey Reiman". Nebraska Democratic Party. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2012.

[NE_primary-9] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska" (PDF). Secretary of State of Nebraska. Retrieved June 17, 2012.

[10] Walton, Don (October 11, 2011). "1st district congressional candidate plans faith-based message". Lincoln Journal Star.

[ndn-11] Warneke, Kent (March 2, 2012). "Final day sets up contested races in area". Norfolk Daily News. Retrieved March 4, 2012.

[sos.ne.gov-12] ttp://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/2012/pdf/2012-general-canvass.pdf^{[bare URL PDF]}

[13] Green, Joshua (June 3, 2011). "Is Warren Buffett's Grandson Running for Congress?". The Atlantic. Retrieved June 11, 2011.

[14] Walton, Don (July 18, 2011). "Douglas County treasurer seeks Terry's House seat". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved July 19, 2011.

[15] Szalewski, Susan (October 4, 2011). "Gwen Howard to run for Congress". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 4, 2011.

[16] Jordon, Steve (June 10, 2011). "Buffett grandson to run dad's foundation". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 15, 2012.

[17] "5 Republicans Hope To Be U.S. Congressman". KETV. April 19, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.

[18] O'Brien, Maggie (January 5, 2012). "Freeman to challenge Terry". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved January 9, 2012.

[19] "UNO chairman to run for Congress". Omaha World-Herald. September 6, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2011.

[20] Walton, Don (June 22, 2011). "GOP opponent challenges Terry leadership". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved June 24, 2011.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

v t (2011 ←) 2012 United States elections (→ 2013)
U.S. President	Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Guam (straw poll)
U.S. Senate	Arizona California Connecticut Delaware Florida Hawaii Indiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
U.S. House (Election ratings)	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona 8th sp Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois 2nd sp Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky 4th sp Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan 11th 11th sp Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey 10th sp New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon 1st sp Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia U.S. Virgin Islands Washington 1st sp West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Governors	American Samoa Delaware Lt. Gov Indiana Missouri Lt. Gov Montana New Hampshire North Carolina Lt. Gov North Dakota Puerto Rico Utah Vermont Washington West Virginia Wisconsin (recall)
Attorneys general	Missouri North Carolina Pennsylvania
State legislatures	California Assembly Senate Connecticut Senate Delaware House Florida House Hawaii House Senate Illinois House Senate Iowa Senate Michigan House Minnesota House Senate Montana House New York Senate North Carolina House Senate Oregon legislative Pennsylvania House Senate Texas House Senate Washington House Senate
Mayoral	Alexandria, VA Anchorage, AK Austin, TX Bakersfield, CA Baton Rouge, LA Corpus Christi, TX Fort Lauderdale, FL Fresno, CA Gilbert, AZ Glendale, AZ Honolulu, HI Irvine, CA Lubbock, TX Miami-Dade County, FL Milwaukee, WI Orlando, FL Portland, OR Riverside, CA Sacramento, CA San Diego, CA San Juan, PR Scottsdale, AZ Stockton, CA Virginia Beach, VA Wilmington, DE
States and territories	Alaska American Samoa California Delaware Hawaii Illinois Indiana Kansas Massachusetts Minnesota Missouri Nevada New York North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico South Carolina U.S. Virgin Islands Vermont Washington West Virginia