The 1996 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator J. James Exon decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. Republican nominee Chuck Hagel won the open seat by 14 points, defeating incumbent Democratic governor Ben Nelson. Nelson would later be elected to Nebraska's other U.S. Senate seat in 2000 when Bob Kerrey retired and served alongside Hagel until 2009, when Hagel left the Senate after retiring.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1996 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1990 November 5, 1996 2002 →

Nominee Chuck Hagel Ben Nelson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 379,933 281,904 Percentage 56.14% 41.65%

County results Hagel:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Nelson:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election J. James Exon Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel Republican

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As of 2024, this is the last time an incumbent governor failed to hold a Senate seat for his party. This was also the first time since Carl Curtis was elected to his final term in 1972 that a Republican was elected to either of Nebraska's Senate seats.^{[lower-alpha 1]}

• 1996 United States Senate elections