By Joan von Kampen | Editor-in-Chief
“It was a true honor, and I will always be a better person for having done it. I hope that I maybe made one little slight change someplace along the line.” - state Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, who lost his reelection bid for Legislative District 12 to Democrat Christy Knorr of Omaha
The 2026 candidates for the Nebraska Legislature arranged by district. (Photos courtesy of the candidates/campaigns | Nebraska Capitol photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Zach Wendling
A 33-seat Republican supermajority in the Nebraska Legislature will end come 2027 as Democrats and a Democratic-endorsed nonpartisan led in three key districts by Wednesday afternoon.
U.S. Rep. Mike Flood proclaims victory in his bid for reelection to Nebraska's 1st Congressional District. Behind him (from left to right) are Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg and State Auditor Mike Foley. (Photo by Erin Bamer/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Erin Bamer
U.S. Rep. Mike Flood celebrated a narrow victory in his bid for reelection representing Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District Wednesday morning. Unofficial results showed Flood leading with 50.1% of the vote to Backemeyer’s 46.4% as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.
The 2026 candidates for Nebraska State Board of Education, left, and University of Nebraska Board of Regents, arranged by district. (Photos courtesy of the candidates/campaigns | Nebraska Capitol photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
EDUCATION
By Zach Wendling
Nebraskans chose five new faces for the State Board of Education and University of Nebraska Board of Regents in seven races across the state Tuesday.
Conservatives are on the verge of flipping a key seat and shifting the ideologically 4-4 State Board of Education red. The NU Board of Regents is set to shift more blue and purple.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lynne Walz of Fremont, a former state senator, addresses supporters during her election night watch party on Nov. 3, 2026, in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Chase Zagurski for Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
Former Democratic state Sen. Lynne Walz conceded the governor’s race shortly after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to Republican Gov. Jim Pillen.
Walz, in a statement, said she called Pillen “to congratulate him on a hard-fought campaign and wish him well as he continues to serve Nebraska.”
(Photo by Michelle Montenegro/Nebraska News Service)
PHOTO GALLERY
By Nebraska Examiner staff
Nebraska Examiner reporters and student journalists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska Omaha captured these moments Tuesday at polling places and candidates’ events.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Denise Powell becomes the first Democrat in a decade to represent Nebraska's 2nd District | Juan Salinas II and Cindy Gonzalez
COMMENTARY
Sounds of silence return after costly campaigns |George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
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