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Nebraska, State Senate, District 20

Nebraska State Senate District 20
Current incumbentJohn McCollister
Population37,867
Race87.69% White, 3.40% Black, 4.69% Hispanic, 0.36% Native American, 2.25% Asian
Voting age77.8% age 18 and over

Nebraska's twentieth state senate district is represented by John McCollister.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 37,867 civilians reside within Nebraska's twentieth state senate district. Nebraska state senators represent an average of 37,272 residents, as of the 2010 Census. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 34,924.

About the office

Members of the Nebraska State Senate serve four-year terms with term limits. It is unique in that it is the only American state legislature that is unicameral. Half of the seats up for election every second year. Nebraska legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January.

Nonpartisan

Members are selected in nonpartisan elections. Rather than separate primaries held to choose Republican, Democratic, and other partisan contenders for a seat, Nebraska uses a single nonpartisan primary election, in which the top two vote-getters are entitled to run in the general election. There are no formal party alignments or groups within the Legislature. Coalitions tend to form issue by issue based on a member's philosophy of government, geographic background, and constituency. However, almost all the members of the legislature are affiliated with the state affiliate of either the Democratic or the Republican Party and both parties explicitly endorse candidates for legislative seats.

Qualifications

To be eligible to serve in the Nebraska Senate, a candidate must be:

  • At least 21 years of age
  • A resident of Nebraska, and specifically a resident of the legislative district he or she wishes to serve, for at least one year prior to the general election
  • Must not have ever been convicted of a felony

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$12,000/year$144/day for members residing 50 miles or more from the capitol; $51/day for members inside the 50-mile radius.

Term limits

The Nebraska State Senate is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Nebraska Term Limits Act in 2000. That initiative said that Nebraska senators are subject to term limits of no more than two four-year terms.

The first year that the term limits enacted in 2000 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2008.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the legislature, it is up to the Governor to select a replacement. If a vacancy happens in the last 60 days before a general election, the replacement appointed by the Governor serves the remainder of the term until a new representative is elected. If the vacancy happens more than 60 days before the general election, the replacement serves the remainder of the unfilled term until the next general election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Nebraska State Senate will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for May 12, 2020. The filing deadline is March 2, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Nebraska State Senate District 20

Incumbent John McCollister (R) defeated Jackie Collett in the general election for Nebraska State Senate District 20 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

John McCollister (R)
58.8
8,689

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Jackie Collett (Nonpartisan)
41.2
6,089

Total votes: 14,778
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Primary election
Primary for Nebraska State Senate District 20

Incumbent John McCollister and Jackie Collett defeated Chris Anne Dienstbier in the primary for Nebraska State Senate District 20 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

John McCollister (R)
63.2
4,213

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Jackie Collett (Nonpartisan)
29.5
1,968

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Chris Anne Dienstbier (Nonpartisan)
7.2
482

Total votes: 6,663

2014

Elections for the Nebraska State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 13, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for challengers wishing to run in this election was March 3, 2014, two days after the statutory deadline, which fell on a Saturday. Incumbents were required to file for election by February 18, 2014, three days after the statutory deadline, which fell on the Saturday prior to Presidents Day. John McCollister and Matt Lathrop defeated Laura Baumgartner in the primary election. McCollister defeated Lathrop in the general election.

Nebraska State Senate District 20, General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Independent Green check mark transparent.pngJohn McCollister 52.1% 6,409
Independent Matt Lathrop 47.9% 5,898
Total Votes 12,307

Nebraska State Senate, District 20 Non-Partisan Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJohn McCollister 49.5% 3,389
Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Lathrop 32.5% 2,227
Laura Baumgartner 18% 1,232
Total Votes 6,848

2010

Elections for the office of Nebraska State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 11, 2010, and a general election on November 2, 2010. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 15, 2010. Incumbent Brad Ashford was unopposed in both the general election and Nonpartisan primary. Ashford raised a total of $48,125 in the 2010 election.

Nebraska State Senate, District 20, General Election, 2010

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Nonpartisan Green check mark transparent.pngBrad Ashford Incumbent 100% 7,690
Total Votes 7,690

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2014, candidates for Nebraska State Senate District 20 raised a total of $526,408. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $75,201 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Nebraska State Senate District 20

Year Amount Candidates Average
2014 $329,572 3 $109,857
2010 $48,125 1 $48,125
2006 $109,904 2 $54,952
2002 $38,807 1 $38,807
Total $526,408 7 $75,201