The 2018 Nebraska State Legislature elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Nebraska voters elected state senators in the 24 even-numbered seats of the 49 legislative districts in the Nebraska Unicameral. Nebraska is unique among American states in that there is only one chamber in its state legislature, and this chamber is called the Unicameral and the State Legislature interchangeably. State senators serve four-year terms in the Nebraska Unicameral.
A top two primary election on May 15, 2018, determined which candidates would appear on the November 6 general election ballot. Each candidate technically runs as a non-partisan (i.e., no party preference).
Following the 2016 elections, Republicans maintained effective control of the Nebraska State Legislature with 32 seats. Democrats increased their numbers from 15 to 16 seats when State Senator Bob Krist of the 10th legislative district switched parties from Republican to Democrat. Furthermore, Republican state senator Jim Smith resigned from office, leaving an open seat for Republicans to defend in the 14th legislative district.
On election day 2018, the Unicameral consisted of 31 Republican seats, 16 Democratic seats, and one seat each for Independent Sen. Ernie Chambers and Libertarian Sen. Laura Ebke. The Democrats gained a net two seats, while the Republicans lost net one and the chamber's lone Libertarian was defeated.
Summary of results by district Note: All Nebraska state legislative elections are technically non-partisan; therefore, parties listed here are from candidates' websites and official party endorsement lists. Candidates all appear on the ballot without party labels. Districts not shown were not up for election until 2020.
State Legislative districtIncumbent PartyElected Senator Party2nd2nd Robert Clements Rep Robert Clements Rep4th4th Robert Hilkemann Rep Robert Hilkemann Rep6th6th Theresa Thibodeau Rep Machaela Cavanaugh Dem8th8th Burke Harr Dem Megan Hunt Dem10th10th Bob Krist Dem Wendy DeBoer Dem12th12th Merv Riepe Rep Steve Lathrop Dem14th14th Vacant Rep John Arch Rep16th16th Lydia Brasch Rep Ben Hansen Rep18th18th Brett Lindstrom Rep Brett Lindstrom Rep20th20th John S. McCollister Rep John S. McCollister Rep22nd22nd Paul Schumacher Rep Mike Moser Rep24th24th Mark Kolterman Rep Mark Kolterman Rep26th26th Matt Hansen Dem Matt Hansen Dem28th28th Patty Pansing Brooks Dem Patty Pansing Brooks Dem30th30th Roy Baker Rep Myron Dorn Rep32nd32nd Laura Ebke Lib Tom Brandt Rep34th34th Curt Friesen Rep Curt Friesen Rep36th36th Matt Williams Rep Matt Williams Rep38th38th John Kuehn Rep Dave Murman Rep40th40th Tyson Larson Rep Tim Gragert Rep42nd42nd Mike Groene Rep Mike Groene Rep44th44th Dan Hughes Rep Dan Hughes Rep46th46th Adam Morfeld Dem Adam Morfeld Dem48th48th John Stinner Rep John Stinner Rep Sources:
Close races +DistrictWinnerPartyMargin6Machaela Cavanaugh Democratic (flip)1.9%10Wendy DeBoer Democratic0.64%18Brett Lindstrom Republican7.2%30Myron Dorn Republican 5.96%
Predictions SourceRankingAs of Governing | October 8, 2018
Detailed results District 2 • District 4 • District 6 • District 8 • District 10 • District 12 • District 14 • District 16 • District 18 • District 20 • District 22 • District 24 • District 26 • District 28 • District 30 • District 32 • District 34 • District 36 • District 38 • District 40 • District 42 • District 44 • District 46 • District 48__NOTOC__
Sources:
District 2
District 4
District 6
District 8 Burke Harr (incumbent) was term-limited.
District 10 Bob Krist (incumbent) was term-limited.
District 12
District 14 Jim Smith (incumbent) was term-limited.
District 16 Lydia Brasch (incumbent) was term-limited.
District 18
District 20
District 22 Paul Schumacher (incumbent) was term-limited.
District 24
District 26
District 28
District 30 Roy Baker (incumbent) retired.
District 32
District 34
District 36
District 38 John Kuehn (incumbent) retired.
District 40 Tyson Larson (incumbent) was term-limited.
District 42
District 44
District 46
District 48
See also United States elections, 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2018 United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial election, 2018 Nebraska Attorney General election, 2018 Nebraska Secretary of State election, 2018 Nebraska elections, 2018
References