It's down to two in the race for Chuck Hagel's Senate seat: Republican Mike Johanns and Democrat Scott Kleeb.

Conservative Johanns has years of experience while progressive Kleeb came on the scene just a few years ago when he ran and lost a third district congressional race.

Just a day after the primary, political analysts have all but named Johanns the senate race winner in Nebraska.

"Given Johanns name recognition, his service to Nebraska, the fact that he's a very conservative individual in a very conservative state. The fact that the party registration numbers for Republicans are so far out in front of the Democrats that would have to be the prediction right now," said John Hibbing, political analyst.

"It's a record that I can stand here and say, 'I've been proven. I set out to do things and we've got them done,'" Johanns said.

But being a seasoned politician might count against him this year.

"This is the kind of year where experience may not be the best thing to have, and everyone is talking about change," Hibbing said.

Change is a prominent theme in Kleeb's campaign.

"We should be asking questions about what it is that we believe in and the changes Mr. Johanns was able to make," Kleeb said.

"Certainly Kleeb will, I think, try to kind of hang the Bush administration around Johanns neck, which is not so hard to do because he served in that administration," Hibbing said.

Johanns said he won't run his campaign as the clear-cut winner.

"Not voter in this state is going to be taken for granted. There is 5 1/2 months, approximately, between now and the November election. We are going to work as hard in this campaign as in any campaign that I've ever been in," Johanns said.

Johanns campaign experience gives him an edge. Kleeb will have to bring his A game to compete.

"Democrats just need to do so many things perfectly and then catch some breaks in a state like Nebraska. I think if it was anyone but Johanns running there would be a better chance for the Democratic candidate," Hibbing said.

But Hibbing said if anyone has a chance, it's Kleeb.

"Kleeb is a young vigorous candidate who did well two years ago in his 3rd district race, so you shouldn't count anyone out at this stage," he said.