Little interest in Nebraska primary

LINCOLN, Neb., May 14 (UPI) -- Nebraska voters showed little interest in Tuesday's primary election with few incumbents facing a challenge.

Election officials anticipated only a 24 percent turnout among registered voters -- a record low.

Incumbent Sen. Chuck Hagel faced no opposition in the Republican primary in his quest for a second term. In November, he will face the winner of the Democratic primary, where Charlie A. Matulka is facing Al Hamburg, and the Libertarian candidate, John J. Graziano.

Tuesday's balloting may be tantamount to re-election for the state's incumbent Congressmen, Doug Bereuter, Lee Terry and Tom Osborne. None faces primary challenge and only Terry will face Democratic opposition, stay-at-home dad Jim Simon, in the general election.

In the race for governor, incumbent Republican Mike Johanns faced token opposition from pathologist Robert J. Wicht, while Luis Calvillo faced Stormy Dean in the contest for the Democratic nomination.