2012 Nebraska elections

The 2012 Nebraska state elections took place on November 6, 2012. At the federal level, voters elected a member of the United States Senate and three members of the United States House of Representatives. At the state level, half of the seats in the Nebraska Legislature were on the ballot, as well as positions on the Nebraska Public Service Commission, State Board of Education, and Board of Regents. Voters also cast ballots in judicial retention elections and on four separate constitutional amendments.

Incumbent Democratic Senator Ben Nelson declined to seek re-election to a third term. Republican Deb Fischer won the Republican primary to succeed him over Attorney General Jon Bruning and State Treasurer Don Stenberg. In the general election, she faced former Senator Bob Kerrey, and defeated him with 58% of the vote, picking up the seat for Republicans.

Incumbent Republican Congressmen Jeff Fortenberry of the 1st district, Lee Terry of the 2nd district, and Adrian Smith of the 3rd district ran for re-election. All three ultimately won re-election.

Incumbent Commissioner Frank Landis ran for re-election, and faced no opposition in either the Republican primary or general election.

Incumbent Commissioner Tim Schram ran for re-election, and faced no opposition in either the Republican primary or general election.

Incumbent Board member Bob Evnen declined to seek a second full term. Lillie Larsen, a former member of the Lincoln Board of Education, and Robert Van Valkenburg, a consultant, ran to replace him. Though the race was formally nonpartisan, Larsen was a Democrat and Van Valkenburg was a Republican. Larsen defeated Van Valkenburg in a landslide, winning 67% of the vote in the primary and then 69% of the vote in the general election.

Incumbent Board member Mark Quandahl was unopposed for re-election.

Incumbent Board member Jim Scheer opted to run for the state legislature rather than seek re-election. Rachel Wise, a former school administrator, and the chief operating officer of an education nonprofit, and Tom Schommer, a businessman who owned a wireless communications company, both ran to succeed Scheer. Wise, a Democrat, campaigned on supporting local control, reevaluating standardized testing requirements, and strengthening teacher preparation efforts, while Schommer emphasized that, as an outsider "not from the education industry," he had "no vested interest or agenda in running for the office, other than just improving achievement levels for kids." Schommer placed first in the primary election, but in the general, Wise defeated him with 56% of the vote.