Omaha, Nebraska: Jim Pillen Wins Reelection as Nebraska Governor, Beating Lynne Walz

Republican Gov. Jim Pillen won a second term as governor of Nebraska on Tuesday night, defeating Democrat Lynne Walz in a race that stayed close far longer than statewide contests in this state usually do. Decision Desk HQ called the race for Pillen at 1:03 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, shortly after midnight in Nebraska.

The count

In the latest Decision Desk HQ count, posted at 2:48 a.m. Eastern time with 88 percent of the expected vote in, Pillen had 326,676 votes, or 49.96 percent. Walz had 281,440 votes, or 43.04 percent. Brett Lindstrom had 28,720 votes, or 4.39 percent, and the rest went to the other candidates on the ballot. The total count stood at 653,917 votes. The Associated Press had not called the race in its latest count, where Pillen also led.

The call capped a long night in Omaha and Lincoln. Late on Tuesday, Walz told her supporters to go home and wait for more votes to be counted overnight. At that point Pillen had taken the lead, 48 percent to 46 percent, with nearly 60 percent of the vote in, and Pillen had not yet taken the stage. KETV in Omaha reported that Pillen declared victory in the race. The Republican Governors Association congratulated him on Wednesday. Its chair, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, said: "Nebraskans have entrusted him with another four years to bring that approach to the governor's office."

A tighter race than Nebraska is used to

The race was forecast as tighter than usual for a statewide contest in Nebraska, and several polls showed a competitive contest. Pillen, a farmer and former University of Nebraska regent, was first elected in 2022 after he defeated a candidate backed by President Donald Trump in the Republican primary. He has since aligned himself closely with Trump and ran for reelection with Trump's endorsement. His first term was marked by repeated failed attempts to change how Nebraska divides its Electoral College votes and by a budget squeeze that followed a $1.2 billion surplus. His office also faced criticism over a $2.5 million no-bid economic development contract awarded to someone Pillen knew personally.

Walz, a realtor and former state senator from Fremont, campaigned on the state budget, economic development and affordability. Her campaign raised roughly $6 million, against nearly $13 million for Pillen. The governor result landed on the same night that Omaha voters flipped the state's 2nd Congressional District to Democrat Denise Powell, so Nebraska Republicans held the governor's office while losing the Omaha House seat that the state is known for nationally.

All results are unofficial until they are canvassed. Pillen's second term runs four years.