Deb Fischer is Upset Winner in Nebraska GOP Senate Primary

Rancher and state senator Deb Fischer came out of nowhere yesterday in defeating two career politicians to win the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Nebraska. Fischer will face former Sen. Bob Kerrey, a Democrat who has lived and worked in New York City for more than a decade, in November’s general election.

The National Journal reports that…

State Sen. Deb Fischer won the Nebraska GOP Senate primary Tuesday in a stunning come-from-behind victory that seemed inconceivable just a few weeks ago. With 79 percent of precincts reporting, the Associated Press called the race, with Fischer leading Attorney General Jon Bruning 40 percent to 36 percent. Treasurer Don Stenberg was third with 19 percent.

Republicans are favored to win the seat, regardless of who emerged from the primary. Incumbent Ben Nelson (D) is retiring; his vote for Obamacare is considered to have destroyed his chances for reelection.

According to the Washington Post, “Fischer joins Hawaii’s Linda Lingle, Missouri’s Sarah Steelman, Connecticut’s Linda McMahon, New York’s Wendy Long and New Mexico’s Heather Wilson as prominent female Republicans contending in primaries.” Mia Love, another high-profile GOP contender, is running for Congress in Utah.

Fischer began gaining momentum after she received an endorsement from Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and VP candidate, as well as Congressman Jeff Fortenberry. Although Fischer lagged in fundraising and as a result she was far outspent by her rivals in advertising, she received a significant campaign contribution at the 11th hour from Joe Ricketts, the owner of the Chicago Cubs and founder of TD Ameritrade.

Fischer is a strong supporter of small business, farming, low taxes, energy independence, gun rights, the balanced budget amendment, enforcing immigration law, and favors the repeal of Obamacare.

Jennifer Duffy of The Cook Political Report told CBS News that “She was a woman who ran a good campaign who had a good profile for this state. People relate to her. So when voters went looking for an alternative, it’s not hard to see how they were fine with voting for her.”