Nebraska 2014 Primary Election

May 13, 2014, 11:54 a.m. ·

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NET News Campaign Connection 2014 coverage brings you the latest news, updates and behind-the-scenes stories from the Nebraska primary election. Check back for more stories throughout the day and night. For all of our election reporting, go to our Campaign Connection 2014 website. See the latest election results at the Nebraska Secretary of State website.


Update: 99 percent precincts reporting, 27.2 percent voter turnout, Tuesday 5/13, 11:55 p.m.

Just over 300,000 of the 1.15 million registered voters in Nebraska turned out to vote in today's primary elections, slightly under the Nebraska Secretary of State's projected 30 percent turnout. (See a breakdown by county here.) In Nebraska's last midterm elections in 2010, 26 percent of registered voters went to the polls.

Bruning concedes Governor's race to Ricketts, Tuesday 5/13, 11:30 p.m.

With 25.59 percent of the vote, Jon Bruning concedes the race for Republican nomination for governor to Pete Ricketts who led by a small margin at 26.30 percent. Ricketts will run against Democratic candidate for governor Chuck Hassebrook and Libertarian candidate Mark Elworth Jr. in November's general election.

Governor's race too close to call while other primary races are settling, Tuesday 5/13, 11:10 p.m.

In the Republican primary for governor, NET News reporter Fred Knapp is at the Bruning election party when Gov. Dave Heineman arrived in support of Bruning. Heineman said the farther northeast and west the returns come in from, the more Bruning closes the gap. However in the latest update, Pete Ricketts is holding onto a lead of about 775 votes with just over 80 percent of precincts reporting.

Lee Terry has held off a challenger in the Republican primary for the 2nd congressional district.The Associated Press is projecting Terry will defeat Omaha businessman Dan Frei. Terry is going for a ninth term in Congress and will face Democrat Brad Ashford in the general election in November.

The AP also reports state senator Charlie Janssen as winner of the Republican primary for State Auditor and State Treasurer Don Stenberg to win the Republican primary for Treasurer.

AP Reports Winners for Nebraska's Congressional District Races, Tuesday 5/13, 10:45 p.m.

The AP has declared Jeff Fortenberry as winner of the 1st congressional district with 85.51 percent, Brad Ashford as winner of the Democratic primary for the 2nd congressional district with 81.25 percent, and Adrian Smith winner for Nebraska's 3rd congressional district with 68.8 percent of the vote.

Fortenberry was also present to introduce Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Ben Sasse at Sasse's campaign event this evening. Sasse will run against Democrat Dave Domina, and independents Jim Jenkins and Todd Watson in the general election in November.

50 percent precincts and 18 percent voters reporting, Tuesday 5/13, 10:20 p.m.

The Nebraska Secretary of State's office estimated that 30 percent of voters would turnout for the primaries. Just over halfway there, NET News Reporter Bill Kelly says that Doug Peterson is preparing to declare victory in the Republican Attorney General's race with 34.19 percent and steady returns in his favor. The AP reports that Attorney Janet Stewart has won the Democratic primary race for attorney general with 71.91 percent of the vote.

Meanwhile, in the Republican Governor's race Pete Ricketts is ahead with 36.79 percent of the vote with Jon Bruning close behind at 26.62 percent. Bruning continues to meet supporters, young and old, at his election night event at the Nebraska Club in Lincoln while waiting for results.

AP projects winners for both Republican and Democratic Senate race, Tuesday 5/13, 9:25 p.m.

The AP is projecting Midland University President Ben Sasse as the winner of the Republican nomination for US Senate, giving the tea party a major victory. With 16 percent of precincts reporting, he currently has an 18 point lead over Sid Dinsdale. Former Nebraska Republican Part chairman Mark Fahleson, who's involved in Sasse's campaign, said he expects Sasse to address the crowd at around 9:30 p.m.

At a bustling campaign party at the Lincoln Country Club, Republican candidate for governor Mike Foley notes that he's popular with voters in Lancaster County, but, according to the numbers coming in so far, he's less popular statewide. Currently, Foley is behind Beau McCoy, Jon Bruning, and Pete Ricketts in the Republican race for governor. At the Deer Creek Country Club in Omaha, Bryan Slone told his supporters that running for governor has "been a great privilege" and this is "only the beginning" for him. In the Attorney General's race, Doug Peterson has taken a seven point lead at 32 percent of the vote over Brian Buescher at 24 percent.

Watching early results come in, Tuesday 5/13, 8:50 p.m.

At his campaign event at the Cornhusker Hotel, Ricketts talks with supporters while just over 10 percent of precincts reporting show Ricketts with a slight early lead over Jon Bruning in the Republican Governor's race.

Doug Peterson also has a small lead over fellow candidates Brian Buescher, Mike Hilgers, and Pete Pirsch in the Republican Attorney General's race. Buescher is following the results closely from his campaign event at the Field Club in Omaha and says it's too early to call the race.

Ben Sasse leads by a wide early margin in the Republican Senate race. Meanwhile, the AP calls Dave Domina the winner of the Democratic race for Senate with 71 percent of the vote.

Gearing up for results, Tuesday 5/13, 7:45 p.m.

NET News reporters in the field are getting ready for the first results to come in starting when polling sites close at 8 p.m.

Primary Election Overview, Tuesday 5/13, 12:45 p.m.

Nebraska voters are going to the polls in the state's primary election. Candidates are looking to advance to November's general election. Much of the focus is on the races for governor, U.S. Senate, and Congress.

Six Republicans are competing to replace Governor Dave Heineman. The list consists of Attorney General Jon Bruning, State Auditor Mike Foley, Omaha businessmen Pete Ricketts and Bryan Slone, and state senators Tom Carlson and Beau McCoy. Democrat Chuck Hassebrook awaits the Republican winner.

The U.S. Senate Republican race features Midland University president Ben Sasse, former State Treasurer Shane Osborn, banker Sid Dinsdale, attorney Bart McLeay and businessman Clifton Johnson. The Democratic race is between Dave Domina and Larry Marvin.

In the 2nd District race for Congress, Eight-term Republican Lee Terry faces a primary challenge from Dan Frei. Former state senator Brad Ashford competes against Mark Aupperle for the Democrats. The 3rd District Republican race features incumbent Adrian Smith against Tom Brewer, with the winner to face Democrat Mark Sullivan. First District Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has opposition in the primaries from Jessica Turek and Dennis Parker. The winner moves on to the general election against Democrat Dennis Crawford.

The race for attorney general to replace Jon Bruning has four Republicans and two Democrats. Janet Steward and Allan Eurek face off for the Democrats. The Republican field features Doug Peterson, Pete Pirsch, Brian Buescher and Mike Hilgers.

State Treasurer Don Stenberg faces a primary challenge from Christopher Costello of Omaha. Democrat Michael O'Hara has no primary challenger.

Democrat Amanda McGill does not face opposition in the primary in the race for state auditor. The Republican primary is between Charlie Janssen and Larry Anderson.

There are also 25 seats in the Legislature up for election. Term limits forced a third of the legislators from office.