Nebraska

Prognosticators gave Democrats in the Cornhusker State practically no chance of ousting Republican Gov. Dave Heineman this year -- and the embarrassing withdrawal of the party's original nominee has made the odds even more lopsided. Mark Lakers won the Democratic primary in May, but quit the race after questions were raised about his campaign finance reports. Party officials scrambled to draft Mike Meister as Heineman's new challenger in mid-July. It was the first time in decades the party's candidate was chosen at a convention instead of in a primary election.There is no contest for Senate this year and Nebraska's three House members, all Republicans, are favored to win re-election. McCain won Nebraska in 2008.