The 2012 United States Senate election in Nebraska took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Ben Nelson chose to retire instead of seeking a third term. Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, a Democrat, and state senator Deb Fischer, a Republican, won their respective parties' primary elections on May 15, 2012. Fischer won the general election with 58% of the vote. Her election marked the first time since 1970 that a Republican was elected to Nebraska's Class 1 Senate seat, as well as the first time that a woman was elected to a full Senate term in the state's history. This was the only seat the Republicans flipped during this cycle. Democratic primary Candidates Declared Bob Kerrey, former U.S. Senator and former governor of Nebraska Steven Lustgarten, video production company owner Larry Marvin, landlord and perennial candidate Sherman Yates Withdrew Chuck Hassebrook, Regent of the University of Nebraska Declined Chris Beutler, Mayor of Lincoln Jane Kleeb, founder and director of Bold Nebraska Scott Kleeb, businessman, Democratic nominee for the 3rd congressional district in 2006 and for the U.S. Senate in 2008 Steve Lathrop, state senator Ben Nelson, incumbent U.S. senator Kim Robak, former lieutenant governor Endorsements Results Republican primary Candidates Jon Bruning, Attorney General of Nebraska Sharyn Elander Deb Fischer, state senator Pat Flynn, financial adviser Don Stenberg, treasurer of Nebraska, former attorney general of Nebraska and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2000 Spencer Zimmerman, truck driver and Air Force veteran Declined Bob Bennie, businessman Rex Fisher, businessman Mike Flood, speaker of the Nebraska Legislature Jeff Fortenberry, U.S. representative Dave Heineman, Governor of Nebraska Kay Orr, former governor of Nebraska Mike Simmonds, businessman Adrian Smith, U.S. Representative Lee Terry, U.S. Representative Polling Endorsements Results General election Candidates Bob Kerrey, (Democrat), former U.S. senator and former governor of Nebraska Deb Fischer, (Republican), state senator Debates The first debate took place at the Heartland Events Center during the Nebraska State Fair at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 25, 2012. Kerrey and Fischer participated. The second debate took place on September 28, 2012, KETV-TV, Chamber of Commerce of Greater Omaha. Kerrey and Fischer participated. The third debate took place on October 1, 2012, NET-TV. Kerrey and Fischer participated. Topics included agriculture policy, the economy,