Republican Johanns wins Neb. Senate seat

OMAHA, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Former Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns won the race to succeed U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel in Nebraska Tuesday, keeping the seat Republican.

Johanns, who also was elected twice as governor of Nebraska, defeated Scott Kleeb, a former ranch hand and college teacher, the Omaha World-Herald reported. Kleeb lost a bid for a congressional seat two years ago.

Hagel, a Vietnam veteran and successful businessman, served two terms in the Senate. He became an outspoken opponent of Bush administration foreign policy and the Iraq war and refused to endorse his party's 2008 presidential nominee, John McCain -- after being an enthusiastic supporter eight years ago -- because of his disagreements over Iraq.