2026 Nebraska gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026
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| Elections in Nebraska |
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 Government |
The 2026 Nebraska gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Nebraska. Incumbent Republican governor Jim Pillen is running for re-election to a second term.
Primary elections took place on May 12, 2026.[1] Governor Pillen secured his party's nomination with 76% of the vote, while Democratic former state senator Lynne Walz secured her party's nomination with 91% of the vote.
Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election in Nebraska since 1994.
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]
Pillen
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90-100%
- Jim Pillen, incumbent governor (2023–present)[2]
- Running mate: Joe Kelly, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present)[2]
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Sal Holguin[3]
- Sheila Korth-Focken, former Randolph city administrator[4]
- Gary Rogge, retired farmer[3]
- Jacy Todd, CBD retail store owner[5]
- John Walz, candidate for Nebraska's 3rd congressional district in 2024[3]
Declined
[edit]- Don Bacon, U.S. representative from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district (2017–present)[6]
- Charles Herbster, agribusiness executive and candidate for governor in 2014 and 2022[7]
- Brett Lindstrom, former state senator from the 18th district (2015–2023), candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2012, and candidate for governor in 2022[8]
Endorsements
[edit]Jim Pillen
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[9]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Pillen (incumbent) | 139,173 | 75.67% | |
| Republican | John Walz | 17,561 | 9.53% | |
| Republican | Sheila Korth-Focken | 13,993 | 7.62% | |
| Republican | Gary Rogge | 6,716 | 3.68% | |
| Republican | Jacy Todd | 4,905 | 2.66% | |
| Republican | Sal Holguin | 1,547 | 0.84% | |
| Total votes | 183,895 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]
Walz
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90-100%
Marvin
- 60%
- Lynne Walz, former state senator from the 15th district (2017–2025) and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018[10][11]
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Larry Marvin, USAF veteran[3]
Endorsements
[edit]Lynne Walz
- U.S. senators
- Ben Nelson, former U.S. senator (2001–2013) and former governor of Nebraska (1991–1999)[12]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynne Walz | 107,263 | 91.26% | |
| Democratic | Larry Marvin | 10,282 | 8.74% | |
| Total votes | 117,545 | 100.00% | ||
Legal Marijuana NOW primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Rick Beard[3]
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- James Charvat[3]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Marijuana NOW | Rick Beard | 330 | 68.75% | |
| Legal Marijuana NOW | James Charvat | 150 | 31.25% | |
| Total votes | 480 | 100.00% | ||
Independents
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Brett Lindstrom, former state senator from the 18th district (2015–2023), Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2012, and Republican candidate for governor in 2022[13]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[14] | Solid R | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[15] | Solid R | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[16] | Safe R | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[17] | Likely R | April 21, 2026 |
Polling
[edit]Jim Pillen vs. Lynne Walz vs. Rick Beard
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jim Pillen (R) |
Lynne Walz (D) |
Rick Beard (LMN) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[18] | April 6–7, 2026 | 670 (RV) | ± 3.8% | 38% | 33% | 12% | – | 17% |
See also
[edit]- 2026 United States elections
- 2026 United States Senate election in Nebraska
- 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska
- 2026 Nebraska elections
Notes
[edit]- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
[edit]- ^ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". wayNational Conference of State Legislatures. May 9, 2025. Archived from the original on May 9, 2026. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Sanderford, Aaron (May 29, 2025). "Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announces reelection bid amid Herbster speculation". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Hundreds file for Nebraska primary election; Governor's race among the most hotly contested". KOLN. March 3, 2026.
- ^ Mueting, Brandon (January 8, 2026). "Randolph native announces bid for Nebraska governor". KOLN. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Wendling, Zach (July 8, 2025). "Medical cannabis advocate, targeted notary running for Nebraska governor". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ Wong, Scott; Thorp, Frank (July 6, 2025). "Centrist Rep. Don Bacon is done with Congress — but open to a potential presidential bid". NBC News. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
He said he would not run against incumbent Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen
- ^ Salinas II, Juan (March 2, 2026). "No 2026 rerun: Charles Herbster will not run for Nebraska governor". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ^ Salinas II, Juan (January 30, 2026). "Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom out of Nebraska's 2nd District GOP race". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
- ^ "Donald Trump endorses Gov. Jim Pillen for reelection". News From The States. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ^ Wendling, Zach (November 24, 2025). "Former State Sen. Lynne Walz steps toward run for Nebraska governor". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
- ^ Olberding, Matt (January 21, 2026). "Former Democratic senator officially announces gubernatorial campaign". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ Sanderford, Aaron (April 14, 2026). "Walz campaign says new poll shows Pillen's vulnerability". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ^ Salinas II, Juan (April 29, 2026). "Brett Lindstrom flirts with nonpartisan Nebraska gubernatorial bid". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Williams, Jim (April 9, 2026). "Governor Pillen in Weak Standing as Nebraskans Overwhelmingly Feel State is on the Wrong Track". Twitter. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Official campaign websites