The 2010 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, to elect the governor of Nebraska, who would serve a four-year term that began in January 2011. Republican incumbent Dave Heineman won, defeating Democrat Mike Meister in a landslide. Heineman easily won his party's nomination. Mark Lakers ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, but dropped out in July 2010. Attorney Mike Meister was chosen as a replacement. , this was the last time Lancaster County voted for the Republican candidate. To date, this is the last time that the winner of the Nebraska gubernatorial election carried every county.
Republican primary
Candidates Paul Anderson Christopher Geary, retired Marine Dave Heineman, incumbent Governor of Nebraska
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates Mark Lakers, investment banker
Results
Lakers was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. However, he dropped out of the race on July 2, 2010, due to a scandal involving campaign fundraising. Several donors listed on a campaign finance report denied ever giving money to Lakers, prompting criticism from both parties.
After being forced from the race due to investigations by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office and the Nebraska Campaign Disclosure Board, Lakers pleaded guilty in September to a misdemeanor charge of abuse of public records and admitted to falsifying his campaign finance reports. As part of the plea, Lakers acknowledged that 51 of the 80 pledges listed on his reports were false and agreed to pay a $500 fine.
Mike Meister, the Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Nebraska in 2002, was selected to replace him and he selected Nebraska Public Service Commissioner and former state Democratic Party chairwoman Anne Boyle as his running mate.
General election
Predictions Source Ranking As of Cook Political Report October 14, 2010 Rothenberg October 28, 2010 RealClearPolitics November 1, 2010 Sabato's Crystal Ball October 28, 2010 CQ Politics October 28, 2010
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DaveHeineman (R) MikeMeister (D) Other UndecidedRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 7, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 66% 24% 3% 6%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 2, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 61% 28% 3% 8%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 19, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 71% 18% 2% 8%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DaveHeineman (R) MarkLakers (D) Other UndecidedRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports March 4, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 61% 23% 2% 14%
Results
By County
CountyPersonDemocraticPersonRepublicanVarious candidatesOther partiesMarginTotalvotes#%#%#%#%Adams CountyAntelope CountyArthur CountyBanner CountyBlaine CountyBoone CountyBox Butte CountyBoyd CountyBrown CountyBuffalo CountyBurt CountyButler CountyCass CountyCedar CountyChase CountyCherry CountyCheyenne CountyClay CountyColfax CountyCuming CountyCuster CountyDakota CountyDawes CountyDawson CountyDeuel CountyDixon CountyDodge CountyDouglas CountyDundy CountyFillmore CountyFranklin CountyFrontier CountyFurnas CountyGage CountyGarden CountyGarfield CountyGosper CountyGrant CountyGreeley CountyHall CountyHamilton CountyHayes CountyHitchcock CountyHolt CountyHooker CountyHoward CountyJefferson CountyJohnson CountyKearney CountyKeith CountyKeya Paha CountyKimball CountyKnox CountyLancaster CountyLincoln CountyLogan CountyLoup CountyMadison CountyMcPherson CountyMerrick CountyMorrill CountyNance CountyNance CountyNemaha CountyNuckolls CountyOtoe CountyPawnee CountyPerkins CountyPhelps CountyPierce CountyPlatte CountyPolk CountyRed Willow CountyRichardson CountyRock CountySaline CountySarpy CountySaunders CountyScotts Bluff CountySeward CountySheridan CountySioux CountyStanton CountyThayer CountyStanton CountyThurston CountyValley CountyWashington CountyWayne CountyWebster CountyWheeler CountyYork County Totals
See also 2010 Nebraska elections 2010 United States gubernatorial elections
References
External links Elections at Nebraska Secretary of State Nebraska Governor Candidates at Project Vote Smart Campaign contributions for 2010 Nebraska Governor from Follow the Money Nebraska Governor 2010 from OurCampaigns.com 2010 Nebraska General Election graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Election 2010: Nebraska Governor from Rasmussen Reports
2010 Nebraska Governor's Race from CQ Politics Race Profile in The New York Times Official campaign sites (Archived) Dave Heineman for Re-election Mike Meister for Governor