Courting the Obama-Terry Voter

SOURCE: www.nationalatlas.gov

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

Courting the Obama-Terry Voter

The 2nd District of Nebraska The Candidates The Campaign The Results

SOURCE: www.nationalatlas.gov

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The 2nd District of Nebraska

Race/Ethnicity 81.4% White 9.7% Black 2.3% Asian 8.6% Hispanic

Occupation 66.8% White Collar

19.7% Blue Collar

Median Income $52.2k in district

$46.9k in state

Partisanship 40.3% Republican

38.7% Democrats

‘04 Presidential Vote

Bush, +23%

SOURCE: www.nationalatlas.gov

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Candidates: Incumbent Lee Terry

Occupation

Attorney

Political Experience

Omaha City Council, 1991-99

First Elected

1998

Committees

Energy and Commerce

SOURCE: www.leeterry.com

Table 1. Congressional Vote Scores for Lee Terry, 1999-2008

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Candidates: Challenger Jim Esch

Occupation Attorney Real Estate Investor

Political Experience

Democratic Nominee for 2nd District in 2006 (lost by 16,791 votes)

SOURCE: www.jimesch.org/gallery/photo.php?gid=66&img= 9&pid=1993

Table 2. Campaign Finance Data for Nebraska’s 2nd District, 1998-2008

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: The Polls

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Energy”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Nothing”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Wrong Direction”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Whose Side Is He On?”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Checks”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Bad Judgment”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Governor Heineman Endorsement”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Omaha World Herald Endorsement”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: Targeted Direct Mail

SOURCE: Lee Terry for Congress.

Table 3: Election Results for 2nd District, 2008