2002Final results
2002 election for U.S. Senate in Nebraska
U.S. Senate · Nebraska
Charles Hagel (R) won with 82.8% of the vote, defeating Charlie A. Matulka (D) by 68.1 points.
Charles HagelRepublican · winner
82.8%397,438
Charlie A. MatulkaDemocrat
14.6%70,290
John J. GrazianoLibertarian
1.5%7,423
Phil ChaseIndependent
1.1%5,066
480,217 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 2002
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.
No DemocratCharles Hagel
—
Raised by the campaign
$1.6M
—
Spent by the campaign
$1.4M
—
Cash on hand
$491.5K
Other candidates' campaigns: Phil Chase $24.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2002.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2002
The candidates
Charles Hagel (R)Charlie A. Matulka (D)
Also on the ballot: John J. Graziano (Libertarian), 1.5%; Phil Chase (Independent), 1.1%