2026 Nebraska gubernatorial election
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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.
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November 3, 2026
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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
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]
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)[13]
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
Declared
- 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[9]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[15] | Solid R | August 28, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[16] | Likely R | June 19, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[17] | Solid R | June 5, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[18] | Safe R | September 4, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[19] | Solid R | September 11, 2025 |
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)[20][A] | April 25–29, 2026 | 900 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 47% | 45% | – | – | 5% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[21] | April 6–7, 2026 | 670 (RV) | ± 3.8% | 38% | 33% | 12% | – | 17% |
| Lake Research Partners (D)[20][A] | December 11–17, 2025 | 900 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 48% | 43% | – | – | 9% |
| Lake Research Partners (D)[20][A] | July 23–29, 2025 | 900 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 51% | 39% | – | – | 10% |