Who is running for Nebraska Governor 2026?
The 2026 Nebraska gubernatorial election will determine the next governor of Nebraska. This key state-level race features incumbent Republican Governor Jim Pillen seeking reelection, alongside other Republican contenders. Nebraska’s political landscape and the lack of recent Democratic victories shape expectations for this election. This article outlines the candidates, election process, and important context to help readers understand the 2026 Nebraska Governor election.
2026 Nebraska Governor Election: Candidates and Information
Nebraska voters will choose their governor in the 2026 Nebraska gubernatorial election, scheduled for November 3, 2026. The office of governor shapes the executive leadership of the state. The current governor, Jim Pillen, is a Republican who took office in 2023 and is running for a second term in this election. Pillen’s campaign, like the state’s political environment, is defined by Nebraska’s reputation as a strongly Republican state. According to political analysis sources, the race is rated as ‘Solid Republican,’ reflecting historical trends where Nebraska has not elected a Democratic governor since 1994. The race for the Nebraska governor’s office in 2026 will once again test these established patterns and offer voters a clear choice for state leadership.
Candidates in the 2026 Nebraska Governor Election
The 2026 Nebraska governor’s race currently features candidates primarily from the Republican Party. Republican Candidates: – Jim Pillen is the incumbent governor, representing the Republican Party, and has officially declared his candidacy for reelection. He has filed the necessary paperwork and launched a campaign website (https://www.jimpillen.com/). Pillen has served as Nebraska’s governor since 2023. – Jacy Todd is another officially declared Republican candidate. Todd is known as a CBD retail store owner and has filed to run for governor. Her campaign website can be found at https://jacytodd4negovernor.com/. – Charles Herbster, an agribusiness executive and previous gubernatorial candidate in 2014 and 2022, has publicly expressed interest in running again. At this time, he has not officially declared or filed candidacy paperwork, and no campaign website has been provided. Democratic Candidates: – As of the latest available information, no Democratic candidates have filed or officially declared their candidacy for the Nebraska governor’s office in 2026. Independents / Others: – There are currently no Independent or third-party candidates who have declared or filed to run for governor in the 2026 Nebraska gubernatorial election.
Nebraska will hold its gubernatorial election on November 3, 2026.
Nebraska will hold its gubernatorial election on November 3, 2026. The election process is designed to first identify party nominees through a primary, followed by a general election in which the governor and lieutenant governor are elected as a slate. For 2026, the gubernatorial primary is scheduled for May 12. After the primary, the winning gubernatorial nominee selects a lieutenant governor running mate, with both appearing together on the general election ballot. According to comprehensive overviews and official articles, incumbency is currently a major factor, with Jim Pillen seeking reelection and his running mate, incumbent lieutenant governor Joe Kelly, confirmed for the ticket. There have been no Democratic declarations so far, consistent with the state’s history—Nebraska has not seen a Democratic governor since 1994. Political analysts consistently classify the Nebraska gubernatorial race as ‘Solid Republican’ or ‘Safe Republican.’ Detailed procedures about voting methods such as ranked-choice or nonpartisan primaries have not been described in the available information. Voters wishing to participate in the primary and general election should refer to Nebraska’s official election resources for exact details.
Nebraska Governor Election Polling and Race Outlook
As of now, there is no published polling data available for the 2026 Nebraska governor’s race. Summaries and expert sources indicate that the race leans heavily Republican, with multiple election analysis outlets such as The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato’s Crystal Ball, and Race to the WH all rating the contest as ‘Solid Republican’ or ‘Safe Republican.’ This assessment is supported by Nebraska’s history of electing Republican governors and the absence of a declared Democratic challenger. Though other campaign details such as fundraising and endorsements are currently lacking in public sources, the available information suggests that Governor Jim Pillen holds a strong position as the incumbent in a state with consistent party alignment. The election’s official campaign websites for Pillen and Todd are accessible for more information regarding their platforms and endorsements as the campaign develops.
Key Issues in the 2026 Nebraska Governor Race
While no specific key issues have been outlined in the available summaries, gubernatorial campaigns in Nebraska often address priorities such as economic development, public safety, education, agricultural policy, and state governance. Voters can expect candidates and their campaigns to address these core topics as the 2026 governor election approaches. Given Nebraska’s recent ballot measures in 2024—covering subjects like abortion policy, paid sick leave, medical marijuana, and school choice—these themes may continue to influence discourse during the governor’s race. As the campaign season progresses, more detailed information regarding candidate stances and policy priorities is likely to become available.
Partner with Sutton & Smart for Election Services
Campaigns, organizations, and professionals can work with Sutton & Smart for comprehensive political services, including petition gathering, canvassing, voter outreach, and consulting. Contact us to support your needs in the Nebraska 2026 gubernatorial race.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Nebraska_gubernatorial_election
Nebraska gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026
https://ballotpedia.org/Nebraska_2024_ballot_measures
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Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
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