1978Final results
1978 election for U.S. Senate in Nebraska
U.S. Senate · Nebraska
J. James Exon (D) won with 67.7% of the vote, defeating Donald Eugene Shasten (R) by 35.3 points.
J. James ExonDemocrat · winner
67.7%334,096
Donald Eugene ShastenRepublican
32.3%159,706
493,802 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET