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Nebraska Governor 2010

Crystal Ball Outlook: Safe R

Democratic candidates: Mike Meister, former JAG prosecutor/attorney

Republican candidates: Dave Heineman, incumbent governor

Recent updates from the Crystal Ball

Update: June 3, 2010

Gov. Dave Heineman (R) appears to fit his state quite well. After a half-term succeeding Bush Cabinet member and current U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns, Heineman won a full term in 2006 and will almost certainly get a second in 2010. The Democratic bench is all but empty, and Mark Lakers will be the sacrificial lamb. SOLID REPUBLICAN HOLD.

Update: October 8, 2009

Gov. Dave Heineman (R) appears to fit his state quite well. After a half-term succeeding Bush Cabinet member and current U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns, Heineman won a full term in 2006 and will almost certainly get a second in 2010. The Democratic bench is all but empty.

Update: March 26, 2009

Gov. Dave Heineman (R-NE): When Dave Heineman stepped up from the lieutenant governorship in January 2005 to become Governor, succeeding Governor and Agriculture Secretary-designate Mike Johanns, many saw him as a short-termer. Popular Congressman (and former football coach) Tom Osborne was considered the odds-on favorite to be the next Nebraska chief executive. But Heineman decided to run for a full term, impressed voters with his energetic handling of his office, and defeated the 60-year old Osborne in the 2006 GOP primary. Heineman scored a landslide over an anonymous Democrat in November. Nobody expects Heineman to give up his dream job, and he will run for a second full term in 2010, and very likely win it. Democrats are casting about for a candidate, and some state legislators have been mentioned, such as State Sen. Tom White of Omaha. Should Heineman win and serve the second full term, he’ll be Nebraska’s longest serving Governor, with ten years under his belt. REPUBLICAN HOLD.