The 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska were held on November 4, 2006 to determine who will represent the state of Nebraska in the United States House of Representatives. Nebraska has three seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.
Incumbent Republican Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, who was first elected in 2004, ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged in the general election by former Lieutenant Governor Maxine Moul, the Democratic nominee. Fortenberry defeated Moul by a wide margin, winning his second term with 58% of the vote.
Incumbent Republican Congressman Lee Terry ran for re-election to a fifth term. He faced attorney Jim Esch, the Democratic nominee. Esch ran a stronger campaign against Terry than many of his past opponents, but Terry ultimately won re-election with 55% of the vote.
Incumbent Republican Congressman Tom Osborne opted to run for Governor rather than seek re-election. State Senator Adrian Smith won the Republican primary to succeed Osborne, and faced farmer Scott Kleeb in the general election. Even though the 3rd district typically voted for Republican candidates in landslide margins, the race narrowed, and Smith defeated Kleeb with just 55% of the vote.
State Senator Adrian Smith, former Osborne aide John Hanson, and Grand Island Mayor Jay Vavricek emerged as the leading Republican candidates to succeed Osborne. During the campaign, Smith received significant financial support from the Club for Growth,[9] which his primary rivals criticized, pointing to the group's opposition to farm subsidies.[10] Smith ultimately won the primary with just 39% of the vote, and advanced to the general election.
Despite the conservative nature of the 3rd district, which historically supported Republican candidates by wide margins, Smith entered the general election following a difficult primary election, and Kleeb ran a strong campaign. As Democrats performed well nationwide, both political parties unexpectedly focused attention on the race.[11] President George W. Bush held a campaign rally for Smith in Grand Island, urging voters to support Smith and other Republican candidates on the ballot.[12]
Toward the end of the campaign, a series of automated telephone calls purporting to be from the Kleeb campaign were placed to voters, using Kleeb's voice and taking place in the middle of the night.[13] Following the campaign, several Democratic leaders in the district filed complaints with the Nebraska Public Service Commission,[14] and the state legislature considered legislation that would limit the number of automated calls that campaigns could place.[15] Ultimately, the Commission's investigation concluded without any action, and Governor Dave Heineman vetoed the proposed legislation.[16]
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