LINCOLN— Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha has officially entered the 2026 Nebraska governor's race as a registered nonpartisan candidate, setting up a four-way contest against incumbent Republican Gov. Jim Pillen, Democratic nominee and former State Sen. Lynne Walz, and Legal Marijuana NOW candidate Rick Beard. Lindstrom said he decided to run because Nebraskans "deserve another choice" amid concerns about the state's budget and long-term economic direction. Before qualifying for the Nov. 3 general election ballot, he must collect at least 4,000 valid petition signatures, including 750 from each of Nebraska's three congressional districts, by Aug. 3.

Lindstrom, a financial adviser who served in the Legislature from 2015 to 2023, previously lost the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary to Pillen. After briefly launching a congressional campaign earlier this year, he withdrew and changed his party registration to nonpartisan. He has criticized Pillen's approach to property taxes, budgeting, economic development and political rhetoric, while insisting his campaign is not intended to act as a spoiler but to offer a pragmatic alternative focused on Nebraska's future.

The announcement drew immediate responses from the other campaigns. Walz's campaign argued Lindstrom remains a conservative Republican and said Walz is the only candidate with a realistic chance to defeat Pillen. Pillen's campaign dismissed Lindstrom as a career politician without a viable path to victory, citing his previous campaigns and party switch. Rick Beard, the Legal Marijuana NOW nominee, did not immediately comment but has previously said he offers an alternative to both major parties. Lindstrom's running mate is registered nonpartisan Mike Picard of Omaha, while Walz and Beard have not yet selected running mates. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.

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