1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska

1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska
November 7, 1978
 
Nominee J. James Exon Donald Shasteen
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 334,276 159,806
Percentage 67.62% 32.33%
County results
Exon:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Shasteen:      50–60%
U.S. senator before election

Carl Curtis
Republican

 Elected U.S. Senator

J. James Exon
Democratic

The 1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican Senator Carl Curtis declined to seek re-election to a fifth term. Governor J. James Exon won the Democratic nomination uncontested and then faced Republican Donald Shasteen, an aide to Senator Curtis, in the general election. Despite nationwide Republican gains, Exon defeated Shasteen in a landslide, picking up the seat. Exon's victory made him the first Democrat to ever win the Class II Senate seat, and the first non-Republican to do so since George W. Norris's victory as an independent in 1936.

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