State lawmaker wins Nebraska GOP Senate nomination
- Share via
WASHINGTON -- Deb Fischer, a little-known state senator, triumphed in Nebraska’s bitterly contested Republican Senate primary Tuesday night, winning the right to face Democrat Bob Kerrey in November.
The race had become a high-profile showdown among tea party leaders, who split their support among three candidates. The spot being vacated by Democrat Ben Nelson is considered the GOP’s best opportunity to gain a Senate seat this fall.
Former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin had endorsed Fischer last week, giving her candidacy a boost. Her two main opponents, state Atty. Gen. Jon Bruning and state Treasurer Don Stenberg, had spent months battering each other.
“In the end, call it an old-school three-way primary where two flawed candidates provided an opening for a third,” said Jennifer Duffy, a senior analyst with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. “Republicans might be better off with her.”
Mitt Romney easily won the Nebraska Republican presidential primary. He also won in Oregon.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox twice per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
