# 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska

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The 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska were held on November 4, 2006 to determine who will represent the state of Nebraska in the United States House of Representatives. Nebraska has three seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.

## Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats | +/– |
| | Republican | 334,177 | 56.06% | 3 | — |
| | Democratic | 261,910 | 43.94% | 0 | — |
| Totals | Totals | 596,087 | 100.00% | 3 | — |

## District 1

Incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, who was first elected in 2004, ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged in the general election by former Lieutenant Governor Maxine Moul, the Democratic nominee. Fortenberry defeated Moul by a wide margin, winning his second term with 58% of the vote.

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Jeff Fortenberry, incumbent Congressman

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Fortenberry (inc.) | 81,188 | 100.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 81,188 | 100.00% |

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Maxine Moul, former Lieutenant Governor
* James Wilson, former sportscaster

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Maxine B. Moul | 23,338 | 71.10% |
| | Democratic | James Wilson | 9,528 | 28.90% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,866 | 100.00% |

### General election

2006 Nebraska's 1st congressional district general election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Fortenberry (inc.) | 121,015 | 58.40% |
| | Democratic | Maxine B. Moul | 86,360 | 41.60% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 207,375 | 100.00% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 2

Incumbent Republican Congressman Lee Terry ran for re-election to a fifth term. He faced attorney Jim Esch, the Democratic nominee. Esch ran a stronger campaign against Terry than many of his past opponents, but Terry ultimately won re-election with 55% of the vote.

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Lee Terry, incumbent Congressman
* Steven Laird, 1998 Republican candidate for Congress

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lee Terry (inc.) | 52,890 | 83.97% |
| | Republican | Steven Laird | 10,380 | 16.03% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 63,270 | 100.00% |

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Jim Esch, attorney

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Esch | 21,352 | 100.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,352 | 100.00% |

### General election

2006 Nebraska's 2nd congressional district general election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lee Terry (inc.) | 99,475 | 54.70% |
| | Democratic | Jim Esch | 82,504 | 45.30% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 181,979 | 100.00% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## District 3

Incumbent Republican Congressman Tom Osborne opted to run for Governor rather than seek re-election. State Senator Adrian Smith won the Republican primary to succeed Osborne, and faced farmer Scott Kleeb in the general election. Even though the 3rd district typically voted for Republican candidates in landslide margins, the race narrowed, and Smith defeated Kleeb with just 55% of the vote.

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Adrian Smith, State Senator
* John Hanson, former district director for Congressman Tom Osborne
* Jay Vavricek, Mayor of Grand Island
* David Harris, national security analyst
* Douglas Polk, Kearney social studies teacher

#### Campaign

State Senator Adrian Smith, former Osborne aide John Hanson, and Grand Island Mayor Jay Vavricek emerged as the leading Republican candidates to succeed Osborne. During the campaign, Smith received significant financial support from the Club for Growth, which his primary rivals criticized, pointing to the group's opposition to farm subsidies. Smith ultimately won the primary with just 39% of the vote, and advanced to the general election.

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Adrian Smith | 42,218 | 39.48% |
| | Republican | John Hanson | 30,501 | 28.54% |
| | Republican | Jay Vavricek | 29,224 | 27.35% |
| | Republican | David Harris | 2,934 | 2.75% |
| | Republican | Douglas Polk | 2,020 | 1.89% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 106,897 | 100.00% |

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Scott Kleeb, farmer

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Scott Kleeb | 23,929 | 100.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,929 | 100.00% |

### General election
#### Campaign

Despite the conservative nature of the 3rd district, which historically supported Republican candidates by wide margins, Smith entered the general election following a difficult primary election, and Kleeb ran a strong campaign. As Democrats performed well nationwide, both political parties unexpectedly focused attention on the race. President George W. Bush held a campaign rally for Smith in Grand Island, urging voters to support Smith and other Republican candidates on the ballot.
Toward the end of the campaign, a series of automated telephone calls purporting to be from the Kleeb campaign were placed to voters, using Kleeb's voice and taking place in the middle of the night. Following the campaign, several Democratic leaders in the district filed complaints with the Nebraska Public Service Commission, and the state legislature considered legislation that would limit the number of automated calls that campaigns could place. Ultimately, the Commission's investigation concluded without any action, and Governor Dave Heineman vetoed the proposed legislation.

### Endorsements
#### Individuals

* Wesley Clark, General, 2004 Democratic presidential candidate

### Results

2006 Nebraska's 3rd congressional district general election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Adrian Smith | 113,687 | 54.99% |
| | Democratic | Scott Kleeb | 93,046 | 45.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 206,733 | 100.00% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |