Incumbent Democrat Ben Nelson won re-election to a second term, easily defeating Republican Pete Ricketts.

As of 2025, this remains the last time Democrats won any statewide election in Nebraska.

The race also attracted national attention and generated several high-level campaign appearances.

President George W. Bush appeared at a rally for Ricketts on November 5, 2006, in Grand Island, while then-U.S.

Senator Barack Obama appeared at a fundraiser for Nelson and other Nebraska Democrats on May 5, 2006, in Omaha.