1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska

The 1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Carl Curtis decided to retire instead of seeking a fifth term. In the elections, the Democratic nominee J. James Exon won the open seat. This election was the first time ever that a Democrat won the Class 2 Senate seat in Nebraska, as the second time ever that a non-Republican won this seat (along with the 1936 election).

Democratic

 * J. James Exon, Governor of Nebraska

Republican

 * Donald Eugene Shasteen, senate aide