SENATE DEM NOMINEE BURBANK ENDORSES NONPARTISAN AHLMAN IN NEBRASKA'S 1ST DISTRICT U.S. HOUSE RACE

LINCOLN — Cindy Burbank, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Nebraska, endorsed nonpartisan congressional candidate Austin Ahlman over Democratic nominee Chris Backemeyer in the race against Republican Rep. Mike Flood. Burbank praised Ahlman as someone who understands working families and criticized Backemeyer’s past State Department work related to Israel and the Middle East.

The endorsement deepens divisions within Nebraska Democrats, as party chair Jane Kleeb warned that Ahlman could act as a spoiler and split the anti-Flood vote. Ahlman, who is running as a nonpartisan candidate, must gather 2,000 signatures by Aug. 3 to qualify for the November ballot.

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COMPLAINTS ABOUT U.S. SENATE CONDIDATES WHO HINTED AT HELPING OSBORN SENT TO NEBRASKA AG

LINCOLN— Former State Sen. Lydia Brasch and former legislative candidate Derek Schwartz filed complaints asking Mike Hilgers to investigate U.S. Senate candidates Cindy Burbank and Mike Marvin, arguing neither intended to genuinely serve if elected. The complaints claim the candidates may have violated Nebraska laws related to false statements and election integrity by filing to run despite allegedly planning to withdraw or not actively seek office.

Legal experts interviewed for the story said the complaints appear weak and could face constitutional issues, noting that Nebraska law mainly requires candidates to be willing to serve if elected. The controversy comes amid ongoing political battles surrounding the Senate race between Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts and independent candidate Dan Osborn, with accusations from both sides about “spoiler” or “planted” candidates.

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NEBRASKA DEMS ASK DOJ TO INVESTIGATE HARDING OVER MISSING PERSONAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

OMAHA— The Nebraska Democratic Party has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Republican congressional candidate Brinker Harding for missing deadlines to file required personal financial disclosure reports. Democrats argue Harding may have violated federal ethics laws and said voters deserve transparency about his financial interests.

Harding said the missed filings were unintentional and that his team is working to complete them accurately. Nebraska Republicans dismissed the complaint as a political attack and instead criticized Democratic nominee Denise Powell over her past consulting work with nonprofit groups under scrutiny by Mike Hilgers. The dispute signals an increasingly contentious general election race in Nebraska’s competitive 2nd Congressional District.

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POLL SHOWS LYNNE WALZ WITHIN MARGIN OF ERROR OF GOV. PILLEN IN GOVERNOR'S RACE

FREMONT - A new statewide poll released this week shows Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lynne Walz statistically tied with Governor Jim Pillen in the 2026 Nebraska governor’s race.

The survey showed Walz earning 45% support to Pillen’s 47% — within the poll’s margin of error among likely 2026 Nebraska voters. The new numbers reflect a tightening race. In July 2025, Walz trailed Pillen by 12 points. By December, the race had narrowed to four points. Today, the race is statistically tied as Walz continues building support across the state.

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DEM WHO WON SENATE PRIMARY TO DROP OUT AND SUPPORT INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE DAN OSBORN

LINCOLN - Democrat Cindy Burbank defeated anti-abortion pastor Bill Forbes in the state’s Senate primary, giving independent Dan Osborn a clearer path against Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) in November.

Burbank was bolstered by some late spending from the state’s Democratic Party, which is backing Osborn in the Republican-heavy state. She’s expected to drop out of the race following her primary victory Tuesday. Her win helps boost Osborn, who came within seven points of defeating GOP Sen. Deb Fischer in 2024.

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FOUR OUT OF SIX SCHOOL BONDS FAIL DURING STATEWIDE PRIMARY ELECTIONS

WAVERLY - Across the state, voters rejected four out of six school bond elections Tuesday, including a $64 million proposal for Waverly and a nearly $35 million attempt for Norris.

The Waverly school district had the largest bond for voters to decide this election at $64 million. It failed with 1,749 votes against and 1,113 votes in support, according to unofficial election results. The district reaches voters in Lancaster, Saunders and Cass counties.

The bond would have funded safety and security upgrades in each school building, new early childhood classrooms, expansions for middle and high school classrooms, additional space for students with disabilities and a new HVAC system for the high school. Centura Public Schools in central Nebraska also saw its $18.95 million bond attempt fail, with 613 voting against it and 463 voting for it, according to unofficial results in Hall, Howard, Sherman and Buffalo counties. The district hoped to improve safety and security, modernize building systems and update classrooms. 

Two school districts seemingly succeeded in passing their bonds: Pierce Public Schools and Stanton Community Schools.

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NEB. SECRETARY OF STATE LOSES PRIMARY TO CHALLENGER WHO QUESTIONS STATE'S ELECTION SECURITY

LINCOLN - Omaha businessman Scott Petersen on Tuesday defeated Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen in a Republican primary election, toppling a two-term incumbent by raising questions on the campaign trail about election integrity and ballot security. As of Wednesday morning, Petersen was winning with 55% of the GOP vote to Evnen’s 45%, with nearly all of the expected votes tallied.

Petersen, a former chair of the Douglas County Republican Party, has called for full hand counts of ballots in elections. Evnen pointed to a hand-count audit system already in place in the state, in which a random selection of 10% of election precincts in the state have hand-count audits after elections. Petersen also called for eliminating mail voting for all except those who are disabled, serve in the military or live far away from their polling place.

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CAVANAUGH CONCEDES CD2 PRIMARY RACE TO DENISE POWELL, WHO WILL FACE BRINKER HARDING IN GENERAL ELECTION

OMAHA - State Sen. John Cavanaugh congratulated Denise Powell Friday and conceded the race for the Democratic nomination in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Powell appears to have won the close race with 39% of votes to Cavanaugh's 37%, according to results available on the secretary of state's website Friday afternoon. Election results are not yet official. The margin between Powell and Cavanaugh is 892 votes in Douglas County, where most CD2 voters live. 

Powell will face Republican nominee Brinker Harding, an Omaha City Council member, in the general election to replace retiring Rep. Don Bacon. 

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GEN Z CANDIDATES RECEIVED FEWER VOTES THAN COMPETITION IN PRIMARY ELECITON

PALMYRA - When Jayden Speed and Nate Ostdiek launched their campaigns for the Legislature, they argued the decades-wide age gap between lawmakers and constituents needed to close. Tuesday's primary results, while still unofficial and have yet to be certified, suggest voters weren't moved by their message.

Speed, 21, finished with just 17% of the vote in LD2 in Cass County. He was eliminated from the race by Republican Dean Helmick, 63, and Democrat Caitlin Knutson, 40, who garnered the most votes to continue onto the general election. Ostdiek, 23, wasn’t in a competitive race in the primary election. He and Democrat Patrick Leahy, 43, automatically moved onto the general election since they were the only two candidates. But Leahy took home 60% of the vote.

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FORMER FIRST LADY ADVANCES IN OMAHA-AREA REGENTS RACE

OMAHA- Nebraska’s former first lady looks to be in good shape to run in the general election for the District 4 Board of Regents seat.

Susanne Shore, a Democrat who is married to former governor and current Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts, was the top vote-getter in early results released Tuesday night for the seat that encompasses the part of Douglas county mostly east of 72nd Street. Justin Solomon, also a Democrat, is following Shore with Democrat Larry Bradley in third.

Shore is one of five Democrats running to fill the seat formerly held by Elizabeth O’Connor, who resigned from the seat in January, months after being charged with a felony for allegedly driving while intoxicated and causing a crash that left a woman with serious injuries.

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NEBRASKA DHHS AND ADVOCATES DISAGREE ON HOW IMPLEMENTATION WILL GO

Nebraska is implementing new Medicaid work requirements today, making it one of the first states to put the federal policy into effect ahead of a 2027 national deadline. Most Medicaid expansion enrollees ages 19 to 64 will need to work, volunteer, attend school, or participate in a work program for at least 80 hours per month—or meet income requirements—to maintain coverage. State officials say many recipients will qualify through existing data or exemptions.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says it is prepared for the rollout and has conducted outreach, but advocates warn the system could still create confusion and administrative barriers that lead some eligible people to lose coverage. Critics also argue that the added reporting requirements could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and strain rural health care systems.

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PILLEN HEARS INCENTIVE PLEAS FOR OMAHA SOCCER DEVELOPMENTS

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen is weighing whether to support state tax incentives for two major Omaha soccer projects, including a proposed downtown Union Omaha stadium and upgrades to Tranquility Park. During a State Capitol hearing, Pillen pressed developers and city officials on how much private investment and new tax revenue the projects would generate, signaling a more open but still cautious stance toward the proposals.

The projects are seeking assistance through the state’s Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act, which allows developers to use future sales tax revenue from surrounding areas to help fund construction costs. Supporters, including Omaha city officials and business leaders, argue the developments would boost tourism, retail growth, and urban redevelopment, while critics continue to question the use of public incentives for sports facilities.

Pillen has not committed to supporting either proposal, saying each project must be evaluated on whether it delivers clear benefits for taxpayers and avoids diverting existing state revenue. The incentive board is expected to make decisions on pending applications in the coming weeks.

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NU REGENTS APPROVE $600M STADIUM RENOVATION WHILE CUTTING UNK ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AMID BUDGET PRESSURES

LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents recently approved two major higher education decisions affecting the state system: a $600 million renovation of Memorial Stadium and a set of academic program cuts at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). The stadium project, known as the “Big Red Rebuild,” will modernize Memorial Stadium with upgraded seating, concourses, and amenities while preserving its historic structure. Officials say the project will be funded through private donations and bonds, with completion targeted for 2028. 

At the same time, regents finalized a separate round of cost-cutting measures at UNK, eliminating four degree programs as part of a broader $4.5 million budget reduction. The cuts were approved after officials cited low enrollment and systemwide financial pressures, with university leaders saying affected students will be supported through to graduation. 

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REPORT SAYS LEGALIZING ONLINE SPORTS BETTING IN NEBRASKA COULD GENERATE $87M OVER 5 YEARS

LINCOLN — A new report says legalizing online sports betting in Nebraska could generate nearly $87 million in state tax revenue over the next five years. The study, commissioned by supporters of a ballot initiative seeking to expand sports gambling, estimates much of the revenue would go toward property tax relief under the state’s current casino tax structure. 

The group behind the proposal, Tax Relief Nebraska, is working to place the issue before voters in 2026 and says signature collection is ahead of schedule. While supporters argue online sports betting could provide a new source of revenue for the state, critics have raised concerns about gambling addiction and whether the promised tax benefits would outweigh the social costs.

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GOV. JIM PILLEN COMPLETES TWO-DAY LONDON TRIP TO PROMOTE NEBRASKA BEEF, ETHANOL

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen wrapped up a two-day trip to London this week aimed at promoting Nebraska beef, ethanol and energy production opportunities to international trade partners. During the visit, Pillen met with U.S. Embassy officials, British trade representatives and industry leaders to discuss expanding exports and strengthening trade relationships between Nebraska and the United Kingdom. 

The governor also participated in events highlighting Nebraska beef for importers, chefs and food industry executives. Pillen said the trip comes as new trade agreements create additional opportunities for U.S. ethanol and beef exports to the UK, including expanded duty-free access for American products.

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NEBRASKA BUSINESS LEADERS, GOV. PILLEN STEP UP SUPPORT FOR UNION PACIFIC-LED MERGER

LINCOLN — Nebraska business leaders and Gov. Jim Pillen are ramping up support for the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern as the rail companies move forward with a renewed federal application. Supporters say the deal would create the nation’s first transcontinental railroad and improve freight transportation for key Nebraska industries, including agriculture and manufacturing.

Pillen said the merger could help farmers move crops more efficiently by reducing delays caused by transfers between rail carriers. The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry also endorsed the proposal, saying a stronger rail system could boost reliability and economic growth. The merger application now heads to federal regulators for review, though critics in several states have raised concerns about competition and national security.

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LATE EFFORT TO RESTRICT PUBLIC BATHROOMS BY SEX FAILS

LINCOLN — Late-session efforts to restrict public bathrooms to users’ sex at birth and outlaw certain medical care for Nebraska youths with gender dysphoria failed Tuesday and are done for the year.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of the Millard area had introduced the measures as Legislative Bill 730, around bathrooms, and LB 732, around puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. She had selected LB 730 as her 2026 priority bill, increasing the chances that Speaker John Arch of La Vista would schedule it. Arch didn’t, so she sought to find another path for both bills. The deadline to find a vehicle is Thursday, but the last legislative trains left the station Tuesday.

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LAST MINUTE EFFORT TO LET NON-RESIDENTS VOTE IN LINCOLN ELECTIONS DROPPED

LINCOLN — An annual cleanup bill for elections was held up briefly Tuesday by State Sen. Beau Ballard’s proposal to let people living outside of Lincoln’s city limits vote in city elections. 

The Lincoln lawmaker tried to tack a slimed down version of his Legislative Bill 951 onto State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue’s Legislative Bill 1075, an annual update to the state’s election law. After it became clear that Ballard’s proposal wouldn’t be considered before cloture, he withdrew his amendment. Ballard said cities can tell people who live outside their limits what “they can do with their private property” without any say in who serves on the city council or who is the mayor.  

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PROPOSAL TO GUARANTEE STATE EMPLOYEES PARENTAL LEAVE ADVANCES

LINCOLN — A bill to guarantee permanent Nebraska state employees have paid maternity leave received first-round approval in the Legislature on Tuesday. Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha proposed and prioritized Legislative Bill 878 to enshrine in state law the six-week maternity leave guarantee that the Nebraska Association of Public Employees earned in union contract negotiations.

NAPE is the state's largest union, but it doesn't cover the Nebraska State Patrol, state prison security staff and teachers who work for the Department of Correctional Services. Guereca said the state troopers approached him about the maternity leave, asking him to "show that Nebraska supports its public servants."

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REVAMPED BRAND BILL MOVES CLOSER TO LAW

LINCOLN — A proposal to overhaul the state’s Brand Committee and increase cattle inspection fees moved a step closer Wednesday to becoming law. Sen. Barry DeKay’s LB1187, which originally focused on increasing certain brand inspection fees to fund the existing Brand Committee, now would increase the number of Nebraska Brand Committee members from five to seven.

There would be one member from each of five Brand Committee districts, plus one new owner or operator of a cattle feeding operation and one new livestock auction market owner. Both new seats would be appointed by the governor and approved by the Legislature, as are the others. The bill still increases certain brand inspection fees and updates inspection rules. 

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