Nebraska Republicans keep Senate seat and governor's office in 2026 midterms
The gist
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen won reelection and Sen. Pete Ricketts kept his Senate seat in the 2026 midterms.
The wins keep Republicans in charge as the state faces a $1.2 billion deficit.
How it unfolded
- Nov 3, 2026Nebraska holds its 2026 midterm general election, with polls open 12 hours and mail-in ballots due by poll close. President Donald Trump voices support for Gov. Jim Pillen on social media.
- Nov 3, 2026Nebraska voters reject a gambling expansion initiative that would have let the state's racetracks partner with online betting operators; FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics and MGM spent more than $20 million backing it. Early vote results show Lynne Walz leading Pillen.
- Nov 4, 2026The Associated Press calls the Senate race for Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts over Independent Dan Osborn overnight, with Ricketts leading roughly 50% to 44% and more than 95% of the estimated vote reporting.
Key terms
- midterms
- US general elections held near the midpoint of a president's four-year term, when all House seats and about a third of Senate seats are contested.
- supermajority
- A requirement for a proposal to gain a level of support greater than one-half, as opposed to a simple majority.
- Legislature
- The lawmaking body of a state or country that makes its laws.
Source: Wikipedia