Differences between Bob Kerrey and Deb Fischer

Bob Kerrey vs. Deb Fischer

Bob Kerrey, a Democrat, and Deb Fischer, a Republican, are two prominent figures in Nebraska's political landscape who notably competed against each other in the 2012 U.S. Senate election. Their backgrounds, political careers, and policy stances present a study in contrasting approaches to governance and representation. Kerrey's political career includes serving as the 35th Governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987 and as a United States Senator for the state from 1989 to 2001. Fischer began her political career on a local school board before being elected to the Nebraska Legislature, where she served from 2005 to 2013, prior to her election to the U.S. Senate in 2012.

Kerrey's background is marked by his military service as a U.S. Navy SEAL, where he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the Vietnam War. After his military career, he entered the business world, operating a chain of restaurants and fitness centers. Fischer's background is rooted in agriculture; she and her family operate a cattle ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills. This contrast in professional backgrounds informs their respective political priorities and areas of expertise.

In the 2012 Senate race, Fischer defeated Kerrey, marking a significant political shift in the state. This election was the only Republican flip of a U.S. Senate seat that year.

Comparison Table

Category	Bob Kerrey	Deb Fischer
Political Party	Democratic	Republican
Prior Experience	Governor of Nebraska (1983–1987), U.S. Senator (1989–2001), President of The New School (2001-2010)	Valentine Rural High School Board of Education (1990-2004), Nebraska Legislature (2005–2013)
Military Service	U.S. Navy SEAL (Vietnam War), Medal of Honor recipient	None
Professional Background	Restaurateur and fitness center owner	Cattle rancher
Senate Committee Assignments (selected)	Agriculture, Finance, Appropriations, Intelligence (former)	Armed Services, Appropriations, Commerce, Agriculture, Rules
Stance on Abortion	Has taken positions generally supportive of abortion rights.	Opposes abortion; co-sponsored a bill in the state legislature to require the display of ultrasound images to women seeking abortions.
Stance on National Security	Supported efforts for nuclear arms reduction and a ban on landmines.	Advocates for modernizing the U.S. nuclear triad and increasing defense spending.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Bob Kerrey and Deb Fischer

Political Positions

Kerrey's political positions have been described as those of a maverick Democrat, holding liberal views on social issues while being more conservative on fiscal matters, such as advocating for a balanced budget. During his time in the Senate, he was involved in significant legislative debates, including casting a deciding vote for President Clinton's 1993 budget. He also supported the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act in 1999.

Fischer's political positions align with the mainstream of the Republican party. In the state legislature, she opposed a statewide smoking ban and co-sponsored legislation restricting abortion access. In the U.S. Senate, she has focused on national security, advocating for increased defense spending and the modernization of the nation's nuclear capabilities. She serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. Her policy priorities also reflect her background in agriculture, with a focus on issues relevant to Nebraska's farming and ranching communities.

Kerrey's 2012 campaign for his old Senate seat was his first return to Nebraska politics after serving as the president of The New School in New York City. Fischer's victory in that election was notable, as she first won a competitive Republican primary before defeating the former governor and senator.