NRCC MEMO: NEBRASKA PRIMARY RESULTS

May 11, 2010

TO: INTERESTED PARITES
FROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: MAY 11, 2010
SUBJECT: NEBRASKA PRIMARY RESULTS

Ever since President Obama’s narrowest of victories in the Second Congressional District, Washington Democrats have been mistakenly giddy over the prospect of winning a Congressional seat in the Cornhusker State. However, with the national mood souring towards the party of Obama in the face of rising deficits and unacceptably high unemployment, Nebraska’s Republican delegation is in a very strong position heading into this fall’s midterm elections.

Incumbents:

NE-02 (Rep. Lee Terry, R)

Incumbent Lee Terry won his primary tonight and is now in a strong position to win a seventh term. As someone who voted against the failed stimulus package, the National Energy Tax and the government takeover of healthcare, Terry brings a sense of balance to Washington that counteracts the job-killing policies of the Obama Administration.

Although he tries desperately to paint himself as an “independent,” state Sen. Tom White has proven to be a party-line Democrat by endorsing President Obama’s government takeover of healthcare and failed stimulus package. Unlike in 2008, there are no coattails for the Democratic nominee to ride on. Further complicating matters for White is an electorate fed up with the Democrat agenda – the very agenda that he has promised to support.

Despite all the prognostication from Washington Democrats that this seat is “in play,” Terry’s re-election is looking more likely by the day as the prospect of a White victory becomes increasingly implausible.

History: In 2004, George W. Bush carried this district with 60% of the vote, while Barack Obama barely won the district with 50% of the vote in 2008.

Geography: The Second Congressional District includes Omaha and its suburbs as well as Sarpy County, which is home to the U.S. Strategic Air Command (STRATCOM) headquarters.

Other Incumbents:

No other incumbent is facing a serious challenge this November.
Statewide Roundup:

The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election in Nebraska. These results are UNOFFICIAL AND INCOMPLETE until certified by the Nebraska Election Administration.

DISTRICT NAME RAW VOTE %__*indicates incumbent

NE-01 (Rep. Fortenberry, R) – Republican

Fortenberry, Jeff *           17,271            85.4%
Hunt, David                     1,833              9.1%
Bodie, Ralph                   1,108              5.5%

NE-01 (Rep. Fortenberry, R) – Democrat
Turek, Jessica                 5,746            39.3%
Harper, Ivy                      4,593           31.4%
Krauter, Stanley              2,183            14.9%
Yates, Sherman              2,099            14.4%

NE-02 (Rep. Terry, R) – Republican
Terry, Lee* 12,712 64.6%
Sakalosky, Matt 6,964 35.4%

NE-03 (Rep. Smith, R) – Republican
Smith, Adrian* 16,348 88.3%
Parker, Dennis 2,174 11.7%

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