FREMONT. — Former State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont confirmed Wednesday she will run as a Democratic candidate for Nebraska governor in 2026 after a statewide listening tour.

Walz launched an exploratory committee for governor in November and hinted she would enter the race if her concerns for the state matched those of Nebraskans. She hosted 10 listening sessions in December, from Scottsbluff to Omaha, as well as additional private events with local community leaders.

“What I found traveling across Nebraska is that we all have more in common than what divides us,” Walz told the Nebraska Examiner. “People really are ready for a change, and I think that, together, we can make a change.” Walz said she heard a common theme touring the state: “Government is no longer working for the people.” Those concerns include whether state officials uphold the public’s right to petition the government for ballot measures and respect the “will of the voters” or whether officials support “average” Nebraskans, help small business owners and hear the voices of everyday people.

She said the focus should be on daily issues, not divisive national issues or Washington, D.C.-style politics of “corruption or secret deals” that benefit the few. “Nebraska is full of possibilities, and we need a governor who will focus on creating and attracting good-paying jobs, supporting our public schools and lowering the cost of food, health care and day care,” Walz said Wednesday.

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