2002 United States Senate election in Nebraska

The 2002 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel won re-election to a second term.

2002 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1996 November 5, 2002 2008 →

Nominee Chuck Hagel Charlie Matulka Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 397,438 70,290 Percentage 82.76% 14.64%

County results Hagel:      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election Chuck Hagel Republican Elected U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Charlie A. Matulka, construction worker^[1]
• Al Hamburg, perennial candidate

Results

Democratic primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Charlie A. Matulka	33,922	59.31%
	Democratic	Al Hamburg	23,272	40.69%
Total votes			57,194	100.00%

Libertarian primary

Candidates

• John J. Graziano, businessman

Results

Libertarian Party primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Libertarian	John J. Graziano	228	100.00%
Total votes			228	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chuck Hagel, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Republican Party primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chuck Hagel (Incumbent)	144,160	100.00%
Total votes			144,160	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Phil Chase (I)
• John Graziano (L), businessman
• Chuck Hagel (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
• Charlie Matulka (D), construction worker

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball[3]	Safe R	November 4, 2002

Results

General election results^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chuck Hagel (Incumbent)	397,438	82.76%	+25.36%
	Democratic	Charlie A. Matulka	70,290	14.64%	−27.96%
	Libertarian	John J. Graziano	7,423	1.55%
	Independent	Phil Chase	5,066	1.05%
Majority			327,148	68.13%	+53.31%
Turnout			480,217
	Republican hold		Swing

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Lancaster (largest city: Lincoln)
• Saline (largest city: Crete)
• Greeley (largest city: Spalding)
• Gage (largest city: Beatrice)
• Dakota (largest city: South Sioux City)

See also

• 2002 United States Senate elections

References

1. "The 2002 Elections: Midwest; Nebraska". November 7, 2002 – via NYTimes.com.
2. "Primary canvass" (PDF). www.sos.ne.gov. 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 5, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
3. "Senate Races". www.centerforpolitics.org. November 4, 2002. Archived from the original on November 18, 2002. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
4. "2002 ELECTION STATISTICS". clerk.house.gov.