Ballot Measures, May 11, 2010
Nebraska voters decided 1 statewide ballot measure on May 11, 2010.
Ballot measures
| Measure | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Authorize nonprofit organizations to use bonds for certain construction projects and equipment needs | Passed (53% yes) |
General Election, November 2, 2010
Nebraska held its general election on November 2, 2010, deciding 24 legislative seats and 6 statewide offices led by the governorship. Nebraska's unicameral Legislature is officially nonpartisan; the composition shown reflects the party affiliation of its members.
Highlights
- Gov. Dave Heineman (R) won re-election by nearly 48 points, the widest margin of any governor's race that year, and Republicans kept every statewide office on the ballot.
- Heineman's opponent, Scottsbluff attorney Mike Meister (D), was a late substitute. The Democrats' primary winner, Omaha investment banker Mark Lakers, withdrew in July after individuals and companies said they had never made pledges listed on his campaign finance reports, and the party's state convention then chose Meister to replace him.
- The Legislature went from 31-17-1 to 34-15 (Republicans, Democrats, then others), and 2 incumbents lost. In District 16, Lydia Brasch (R) unseated Sen. Kent Rogert (D) after a race marked by negative mailings against Rogert and outside spending. In District 40, Tyson Larson unseated Sen. Cap Dierks, who had represented the district for 20 years. Republican Jim Smith also took the open District 14 seat.
- Incumbents also won the 2 races decided by less than 2 points:
- Sen. Bob Krist held District 10 by 55 votes over Tim Lonergan.
- Sen. Danielle Conrad kept District 46 by 85 votes over Chad Wright.
- Attorney General Jon Bruning (R) ran unopposed, and Don Stenberg (R) won the open treasurer's office. On the same ballot, voters rejected Amendment 2, which would have abolished that office, by about two to one. Amendment 1, letting cities fund economic development with property and other general taxes, passed narrowly.
Legislature
- Legislature (49 seats): 0 D, 0 R, 49 other or vacant before the election, 0 D, 0 R, 49 other or vacant after; control stayed with Republicans.
Statewide races
| Race | Winner | Others | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Dave Heineman (R) 73.9% | Mike Meister (D) 26.1% | |
| Attorney General | Jon Bruning (R) 100% | Unopposed | |
| Auditor | Mike Foley (R) 79.62% | Michele Sallach-Grace (L) 20.38% | |
| Lt. Governor | Rick Sheehy (R) 73.9% | Anne Boyle (D) 26.1% | |
| Secretary of State | John A. Gale (R) 69.75% | Jake Stewart (D) 30.25% | |
| Treasurer | Don Stenberg (R) 72.94% | Mark Stoj (D) 27.06% |
Legislative races
| Race | Winner | Others | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legislature 2 | Dave Pankonin (Nonpartisan) 75.84% | Nate Louderback (Nonpartisan) 24.16% | |
| Legislature 4 | Pete Pirsch (Nonpartisan) 100% | Unopposed | |
| Legislature 6 | John E. Nelson (Nonpartisan) 63.45% | Todd Frazier (Nonpartisan) 36.55% | |
| Legislature 8 | Burke J. Harr (Nonpartisan) 51.23% | John Comstock (Nonpartisan) 48.77% | |
| Legislature 10 | Bob Krist (Nonpartisan) 50.36% | Tim Lonergan (Nonpartisan) 49.64% | |
| Legislature 12 | Steve Lathrop (Nonpartisan) 100% | Unopposed | |
| Legislature 14 | Jim Smith (Nonpartisan) 55.39% | Teresa Whitehead (Nonpartisan) 44.61% | Flipped NP to R |
| Legislature 16 | Lydia Brasch (Nonpartisan) 52.73% | Kent Rogert (Nonpartisan) 47.27% | Flipped D to R; Incumbent defeated |
| Legislature 18 | Scott Lautenbaugh (Nonpartisan) 58.28% | Carl Lorenzen (Nonpartisan) 41.72% | |
| Legislature 20 | Brad Ashford (Nonpartisan) 100% | Unopposed | |
| Legislature 22 | Paul Schumacher (Nonpartisan) 52.18% | Mike Moser (Nonpartisan) 47.82% | |
| Legislature 24 | Greg L. Adams (Nonpartisan) 100% | Unopposed | |
| Legislature 26 | Amanda M. McGill (Nonpartisan) 52.57% | Tom Dierks (Nonpartisan) 47.43% | |
| Legislature 28 | Bill Avery (Nonpartisan) 66.13% | Nancy M. Russell (Nonpartisan) 33.87% | |
| Legislature 30 | Norman Wallman (Nonpartisan) 52.64% | John W. Knabe (Nonpartisan) 47.36% | |
| Legislature 32 | Russell J. Karpisek (Nonpartisan) 100% | Unopposed | |
| Legislature 34 | Annette M. Dubas (Nonpartisan) 78.68% | Brandon Hunnicutt (Nonpartisan) 21.32% | |
| Legislature 36 | John M. Wightman (Nonpartisan) 100% | Unopposed | |
| Legislature 38 | Tom Carlson (Nonpartisan) 100% | Unopposed | |
| Legislature 40 | Tyson Larson (Nonpartisan) 52.33% | Cap Dierks (Nonpartisan) 47.67% | Incumbent defeated |
| Legislature 42 | Thomas F. Hansen (Nonpartisan) 100% | Unopposed | |
| Legislature 44 | Mark R. Christensen (Nonpartisan) 60.43% | Thomas C. Baker (Nonpartisan) 39.57% | |
| Legislature 46 | Danielle Conrad (Nonpartisan) 50.96% | Chad Wright (Nonpartisan) 49.04% | |
| Legislature 48 | John N. Harms (Nonpartisan) 100% | Unopposed |
Ballot measures
| Measure | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Authorize municipalities to fund economic and industrial development through property taxes, local option sales taxes, or other general taxes | Passed (51% yes) |
| Amendment 2 | Abolish the office of state treasurer | Failed (33% yes) |