1988Final results
1988 election for U.S. Senate in Nebraska
U.S. Senate · Nebraska
Bob Kerrey (D) won with 56.7% of the vote, defeating Dave Karnes (R) by 15.0 points.
Bob KerreyDemocrat · winner
56.7%378,717
Dave KarnesRepublican
41.7%278,250
Ernie ChambersOther party
1.6%10,372
667,860 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 1988
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Bob KerreyDave Karnes
$3.5M
Raised by the campaign
$3.4M
$3.5M
Spent by the campaign
$3.4M
$24.6K
Cash on hand
$9.2K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988