Elections / 1988 · Senate · NE
The Democratic candidate won Nebraska's Senate seat D+15.1.
Nebraska, 1988. Candidate results and statewide totals below. The presidential race shared this ballot.
Nebraska — 1988 Senate result
Source: MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1976–2024 Senate returns (party-classified by literal ballot party).
Democratic (D)
378,717
56.8%
Republican (R)
278,250
41.7%
All others
10,372
1.6%
Margin
D+15.1
Candidates
Statewide candidate totals — MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1988 Senate returns.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Kerrey | DDemocrat | 378,717 | 56.8% |
| Dave Karnes | RRepublican | 278,250 | 41.7% |
| Ernie Chambers | ONew Alliance | 10,372 | 1.6% |
Nebraska's Senate margins
Every contest in our store, 1976–2024
| Year | Margin (D minus R) |
|---|---|
| 1976 | +5.8% |
| 1978 | +35.3% |
| 1982 | +38.1% |
| 1984 | +3.9% |
| 1988 | +15.1% |
| 1990 | +18.0% |
| 1994 | +9.8% |
| 1996 | −14.8% |
| 2000 | +2.2% |
| 2002 | −68.1% |
| 2006 | +27.8% |
| 2008 | −17.5% |
| 2012 | −15.5% |
| 2014 | −32.9% |
| 2018 | −19.1% |
| 2020 | −38.6% |
| 2024 | −53.2% |