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] 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
Candidates
Nominee
- Jim Pillen, incumbent governor (2023–present)[2]
- Running mate: Joe Kelly, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present)[2]
Eliminated in primary
Declined
- 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] (running as an Independent)[9]
Endorsements
Jim Pillen
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[10]
Results
Pillen
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90-100%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Pillen (incumbent) | 142,301 | 75.40 | |
| Republican | John Walz | 18,066 | 9.57 | |
| Republican | Sheila Korth-Focken | 14,621 | 7.75 | |
| Republican | Gary Rogge | 6,986 | 3.70 | |
| Republican | Jacy Todd | 5,125 | 2.72 | |
| Republican | Sal Holguin | 1,612 | 0.85 | |
| Total votes | 188,711 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Lynne Walz, former state senator from the 15th district (2017–2025) and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018[11][12]
- Running mate: Ben Steffen, farmer[13]
Eliminated in primary
- Larry Marvin, USAF veteran[3]
Endorsements
Lynne Walz
- U.S. senators
- Ben Nelson, former U.S. senator (2001–2013) and former governor of Nebraska (1991–1999)[14]
Results
Walz
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90-100%
Marvin
- 60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynne Walz | 116,458 | 91.48 | |
| Democratic | Larry Marvin | 10,847 | 8.52 | |
| Total votes | 127,305 | 100.00 | ||
Legal Marijuana NOW primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Rick Beard[3]
Eliminated in primary
- James Charvat[3]
Results
Beard
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90-100%
Charvat
- 60-70%
- 90-100%
Tie
No Votes
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Marijuana NOW | Rick Beard | 349 | 69.11 | |
| Legal Marijuana NOW | James Charvat | 156 | 30.89 | |
| Total votes | 505 | 100.00 | ||
Independents
Candidates
Failed to qualify
- Brett Lindstrom, former state senator from the 18th district (2015–2023), Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2012 and 2026, and Republican candidate for governor in 2022[9]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[18] | Solid R | September 11, 2025 |
| Fox News[19] | Solid R | July 23, 2026 |
| Inside Elections[20] | Solid R | August 28, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[21] | Solid R | August 4, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[22] | Solid R | June 5, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[23] | Safe R | September 4, 2025 |
| Silver Bulletin[24] | Solid R | August 25, 2026 |
Polling
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Research Partners (D)[25][A] | April 25–29, 2026 | 900 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 47% | 45% | – | – | 5% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[26] | April 6–7, 2026 | 670 (RV) | ± 3.8% | 38% | 33% | 12% | – | 17% |
| Lake Research Partners (D)[25][A] | December 11–17, 2025 | 900 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 48% | 43% | – | – | 9% |
| Lake Research Partners (D)[25][A] | July 23–29, 2025 | 900 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 51% | 39% | – | – | 10% |
See also
Notes
- ↑ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
- Partisan clients
References
- ↑ "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.
- 1 2 Sanderford, Aaron (May 29, 2025). "Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announces reelection bid amid Herbster speculation". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "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.
- 1 2 Olberding, Matt. "Brett Lindstrom to run for Nebraska governor as independent". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved July 14, 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.
- ↑ Wendling, Zach (July 28, 2026). "Walz selects farmer, ag leader, ex-Republican as Nebraska lieutenant governor pick • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- ↑ Sanderford, Aaron (April 14, 2026). "Walz campaign says new poll shows Pillen's vulnerability". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Nebraska Primary Results". Nebraska Secretary of State Election Results. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Annonen, Noelle; Reporter, Multimedia. "Lindstrom appears to have enough signatures to run for Nebraska governor". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
- ↑ Wendling, Zach. "Lindstrom fails to qualify nonpartisan bid for Nebraska governor; many signatures flagged for fraud". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Fox News Power Rankings: The top races to watch as 36 states choose their next governor". Fox News. Rémy Numa. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Governor Forecast – 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 Governor Races | RealClearPolitics". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ↑ Silver, Nate (August 20, 2026). "FLIPR 2026 midterm election forecast". www.natesilver.net. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Lake, Celinda; O'Bryan, Meryl; Hall, Hannah (May 26, 2026). "Movement in the Nebraska Gubernatorial Race". Lake Research Partners. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ↑ 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
- Official campaign websites