Democrat Lynne Walz challenges Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen as polls close
The gist
Nebraska Democrat Lynne Walz faced Republican Gov. Jim Pillen and two others as polls closed at 8 p.m.
The race drew over $16.5 million, with Pillen outraising Walz three to one.
How it unfolded
- Nov 24, 2025Former State Sen. Lynne Walz launched an exploratory committee to run for Nebraska governor in 2026, saying she wanted to lift up Nebraskans' concerns rather than their partisanship.
- Jul 28, 2026Walz announced farmer Ben Steffen as her running mate for the November ticket.
- Oct 6, 2026Over $16.5 million had been raised in the race; incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen reported triple Walz's contributions and double her spending.