# 2002 United States Senate election in Nebraska

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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.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Charlie A. Matulka, construction worker
* Al Hamburg, perennial candidate

### Results

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

## Libertarian primary
### Candidates

* John J. Graziano, businessman

### Results

Libertarian Party primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Libertarian | John J. Graziano | 228 | 100.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 228 | 100.00% |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Chuck Hagel, incumbent U.S. Senator

### Results

Republican Party primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chuck Hagel (inc.) | 144,160 | 100.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 144,160 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Candidates

* Chuck Hagel (Republican), incumbent U.S. Senator
* Charlie Matulka (Democratic), construction worker
* John Graziano (Libertarian), businessman
* Phil Chase (Independent)

### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe R | November 4, 2002 |

### Results

2002 United States Senate election in Nebraska :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Chuck Hagel (inc.) | 397,438 | 82.76% | +25.36% |
| | Democratic | Charlie A. Matulka | 70,290 | 14.64% | −27.96% |
| | Libertarian | John J. Graziano | 7,423 | 1.55% | +0.15% |
| | Independent | Phil Chase | 5,066 | 1.05% | — |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 327,148 | 68.13% | +53.31% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 480,217 | 100.00% | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### 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)