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By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

October 7, 1998 / 1:43 PM EDT / CBS


face=Arial>There is no Senate race in this state.


Open Seat	Bill Hoppner(D)
Open Seat	Lincoln Mayor Mike Johanns(R)
*Race outlook*	Strong Republican

Lincoln Mayor Mike Johanns (R) and business consultant Bill Hoppner (D) are vying for the job being vacated by incumbent Ben Nelson (D), who is retiring because of term limits.
Republicans are viewing Nebraska, a state that Bob Dole carried in 1996, as a prime opportunity for a pick up.

Johanns emerged from the Republican primary in May athe dark horse winner over two better-known and better-funded candidates. Although it exhausted his financial resources, it gave him a much-needed boost in terms of raising his profile statewide.

His financial situation has recovered, and he has fine-tuned his message of lower taxes and less government. Johanns refuses to engage in negative attacks, and the tone of the campaign has remained cordial.

Hoppner has called for Clinton's resignation, although the Washington scandals are not a factor in this race. State issues have dominated, and Hoppner has been targeting a controversial ballot initiative as much as he is targeting Johanns. The ballot initiative, known as "the lid," would put a cap on tax increases, and Hoppner says that it would take money away from education.

Johanns signed a petition to put it on the ballot but no longer supports it. Hoppner has the backing of popular former Sen. James Exon, as well as labor and farm groups. With the help of some local farmers, he has engaged in some creative advertising -- the farmers have painted his name on their cows in lieu of billboards, which are prohibited along many of the state's highways.

But it looks like creative campaigning won't be
enough. Polls suggest Johanns is the favorite to win.


Current Lineup: 3 Districts, 3 Republicans. There will be one open-seat contest.
CD1
Incumbent	size=2>DOUG BEREUTER (R) --age 59 Elected 1978
Opponent	Don Eret (D) --age 67 Fmr State Senator
*Outlook*	Strong Republican
*District Profile*;	East - Lincoln; Norfolk .1996 House: size=2>D-30% R-70%

CD2
Open Seat	size=2>Lee Terry (R) --age 36 Omaha City Councilman/Attorney
	Michael Scott (D) --age 44 Former TV Anchorman/Mrktg Consultant
*Outlook*	Strong Republican
*District Profile*;	size=2> East - Omaha; Sarpy County suburbs. size=2>Rep. Jon Christensen (R) lost his bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

CD3
Incumbent	size=2>BILL BARRETT (R) -- age 69 Elected 1990
Opponent	No Democratic opponent
*Outlook*	Strong Republican
*District Profile*;	size=2> Rural West - Grand Island; North Platte . 1996 House: face=Arial size=2>D-23% R-77%