Deb Fischer • Nebraska
Deb Fischer’s upset victory was the GOP’s only victory in competitive U.S. Senate races in 2012. Fischer climbed from an asterisk in the polls to a 5% primary victory despite national Republicans support for her opponent. Outspent by $2 million dollars in the general election Fischer handed Senator Bob Kerrey his first electoral defeat in twenty years. Fischer’s media campaign was credited with aiding her stunning victories.