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.
Primary elections took place on May 12, 2026. 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) Running mate: Joe Kelly, incumbent lieutenant governor (2023–present) Eliminated in primary Sal Holguin, car wash owner and Air Force veteran Sheila Korth-Focken, former Randolph city administrator Gary Rogge, retired farmer Jacy Todd, CBD retail store owner John Walz, candidate for Nebraska's 3rd congressional district in 2024
Declined Don Bacon, U.S. representative from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district (2017–present) Charles Herbster, agribusiness executive and candidate for governor in 2014 and 2022 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 (ran as an Independent, then as America First candidate)
Endorsements
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee
Lynne Walz, former state senator from the 15th district (2017–2025) and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018 Running mate: Ben Steffen, farmer
Eliminated in primary Larry Marvin, USAF veteran
Endorsements
Results
Legal Marijuana NOW primary Candidates Nominee Rick Beard, private chef, winemaker, and former farmer Running mate: Keenya Barnes, Omaha Housing Authority commissioner
Eliminated in primary James Charvat
Results
Third party and independent candidates American First Party Nominee Brett Lindstrom, former state senator from the 18th district (2015–2023), Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2012 and 2026, and Republican candidate for governor in 2022 Running mate: Mike Picard, navy veteran
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportSeptember 11, 2025Decision Desk HQSeptember 23, 2026Fox NewsJuly 23, 2026Inside ElectionsAugust 28, 2025RealClearPoliticsJune 5, 2026Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 29, 2026Silver Bulletin October 3, 2026
Post-primary endorsements
Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregation Datesadministered Datesupdated JimPillen (R) LynneWalz (D)Other/Undecided Margin270toWinSeptember 14 – October 2, 2026October 2, 202646.3%36.3%17.4%Pillen +10.0%Race to the WHthrough September 30, 2026October 2, 202642.5%37.0%20.5%Pillen +5.5%Silver Bulletinthrough September 30, 2026October 2, 202643.2%36.7%20.1%Pillen +6.5%Average44.0%36.7%19.3%Pillen +7.3%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize MarginJimPillen (R)LynneWalz (D)BrettLindstrom (AF)RickBeard (LMN) Other UndecidedYouGovSeptember 24 – October 3, 20261,809 (LV)±3.3%44%43%––2%10%co/efficient (R)September 28–30, 20261,113 (LV)±2.92%43%38%5%3%–10%Wedgewood PollsSeptember 14–16, 2026500 (LV)±4.4%53%36%5%6%––Lake Research Partners (D)September 8–14, 2026(RV)± 3.5%40%40%9%4%–7%SurveyUSASeptember 8–13, 2026503 (LV)± 6.4%43%35%––13%9%Public Policy Polling (D)September 1–2, 2026559 (RV)± 4.1%32%31%10%7%4%17%Lake Research Partners (D)April 25–29, 2026900 (LV)± 3.3%47%45%–––5%Public Policy Polling (D)April 6–7, 2026670 (RV)± 3.8%38%33%–12%–17%Lake Research Partners (D)December 11–17, 2025900 (LV)± 3.3%48%43%–––9%Lake Research Partners (D)July 23–29, 2025900 (LV)± 3.3%51%39%–––10%
Results
See also 2026 United States elections 2026 United States Senate election in Nebraska 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska 2026 Nebraska elections
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites Rick Beard (LMN) Brett Lindstrom (AF) Jim Pillen (R) Lynne Walz (D)