It’s looking more and more like the news coming out of Nebraska on election night will be that incumbents U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson (D) and Gov. Dave Heineman (R) are returning to serve another term in their respective offices.

On the Senate side, the latest Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Nelson leading Republican challenger Pete Ricketts by 20 points, 54% to 34% (see crosstabs). That’s a three-point slip for Nelson since September’s poll, but with 84% of Democrats and 38% of Republicans on his side, it’s not enough to dent his considerable lead with just three weeks left to go until Election Day.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters report an unfavorable opinion of Ricketts with nearly one-third (31%) having a very unfavorable view of the challenger. Nelson’s scores are weighted at the other end of the spectrum with 67% reporting a favorable opinion of the incumbent. Twenty-four percent (24%) say they have a “very favorable” opinion of him.

The landslide that has become Nebraska’s gubernatorial race continues its momentum toward Gov. Dave Heineman. The current results show Heineman leading Democrat David Hahn 70% to 22% (see crosstabs). As is the case with Nelson, Heineman’s lead has tumbled by a few points, but not enough to make a difference in this race. Eighty-three percent (83%) of Republicans and nearly half of Democrats (48%) say they support Heineman for another term.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of voters have a favorable opinion of Heineman; 39% say the same of Hahn. Hahn’s unfavorable scores are twice those of the governor (40% to 20%).

President Bush fares better in Nebraska than in many other states across the country, but he can’t match Heineman’s approval ratings. Seventy-six percent (76%) of voters approve of Heineman’s job performance and 60% say the same for the president. The percentage of those who say they “strongly disapprove” of President Bush is eight points higher than the governor’s total disapproval score (29% to 21%.)

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