Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen Wins GOP Nomination for 2026 Re-election

Republican Gov. Jim Pillen of Nebraska moved a major step closer to re-election after winning his party's nomination for governor.

Pillen topped five challengers to secure the GOP nod for 2026, according to the Associated Press.

A practicing veterinarian and chair of Pillen Family Farms, the governor played defensive back for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team five decades ago. Voters first elected him in 2022.

Outgoing Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts endorsed Pillen, who beat a crowded field of GOP rivals in that year's primary before winning the general election handily.

One week after taking office, Pillen named Ricketts to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Republican Sen. Ben Sasse. Sasse had resigned to become president of the University of Florida.

Pillen enters the general election as the favorite in a state President Donald Trump carried by 20 points en route to winning back the White House in 2024.

He will face former state Sen. Lynne Walz, who claimed the Democratic nomination by defeating perennial candidate Larry Marvin in the primary, the Associated Press reports.