1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska

The 1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Carl Curtis decided to retire instead of seeking a fifth term. In the elections, the Democratic nominee J. James Exon won the open seat. This election was the first time ever that a Democrat won the Class 2 Senate seat in Nebraska, as the second time ever that a non-Republican won this seat (along with the 1936 election).

1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1972 November 7, 1978 1984 →
 
Nominee J. James Exon Donald Eugene Shasteen
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 334,096 159,708
Percentage 67.66% 32.34%

County results
Exon:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Shasteen:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Carl Curtis
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

J. James Exon
Democratic

Candidates

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Democratic

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Republican

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Results

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General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic J. James Exon 334,096 67.66% +20.82%
Republican Donald Eugene Shasteen 159,708 32.34% −20.82%
Majority 174,390 35.32% +28.99%
Turnout 493,802
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 1978" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved July 2, 2014.