Nebraska Democrats Select Nominees in Primary Elections

Pete Ricketts. The move sets up the Senate matchup that state Democrats had sought, clearing the field for Osborn, who had already vowed to run as an independent. Osborn now faces Ricketts in the general election after the Republican secured his party's nomination. The outcome was widely expected in the solidly Republican state.

Nebraska Governor and House Races Republican Gov.

Jim Pillen won renomination for a second term by defeating five challengers in the state's GOP gubernatorial primary. The Associated Press projected his victory shortly after polls closed. In Nebraska's 1st Congressional District, Chris Backemeyer won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House seat.

The district's general election will feature Backemeyer against the Republican nominee later this year. The Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District, often described as the state's blue dot, remained too close to call Tuesday night. Denise Powell pulled slightly ahead of John Cavanaugh with more than 95 percent of votes counted, according to Decision Desk HQ and VoteHub, though The Associated Press labeled the contest unresolved.

2nd District The 2nd District has drawn significant national attention because longtime Republican Rep. Don Bacon announced last year he would not seek reelection, creating an open seat in a swing area. Brinker Harding, who won the Republican nomination unopposed after another candidate dropped out, enters the general election with President Trump's endorsement and support from the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Democrats view the district as one of their best opportunities to gain a House seat in a state that leans heavily Republican at the statewide level. Powell has raised more than $1.6 million and benefited from millions more in outside spending, according to campaign finance reports cited in coverage of the race.

Prediction markets have treated the contest as competitive, with one outlet showing an 83 percent implied probability for a Democratic win as of early Wednesday. Limited public polling from last October showed Powell with a narrow lead. The district's voter makeup includes more registered Republicans than Democrats but also more than 108,000 nonpartisan voters.

Both campaigns are expected to focus on issues such as affordability, healthcare and public education in the general election campaign. " — Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Washington Examiner) >"I’ve never shied away from a fight. " — Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Washington Examiner) Nebraska's results reflect broader patterns in this year's primaries, with both parties finalizing nominees in advance of the 2026 midterm elections that will determine control of Congress and state offices.