By Joan von Kampen | Editor-in-Chief
One election question remained unanswered early Wednesday: Who will represent Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District? As of 2:15 a.m., only 1.6 percentage points separated incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Flood and challenger Chris Backemeyer. Check nebraskaexaminer.com for updates in that race today.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen thanks supporters after declaring victory in his reelection bid to lead the Cornhusker State on Nov. 4, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
NEBRASKA GOVERNOR
By Zach Wendling
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen won reelection Tuesday in a winding year that gave a Republican gubernatorial candidate their toughest run since the 1990s.
The Associated Press called the race just before 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts declaring victory in Senate race in Omaha on Nov, 4. 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
SENATE
By Juan Salinas II
Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts declared victory in his reelection bid over registered nonpartisan Dan Osborn Tuesday, even as results from the race were still coming in. The Associated Press called the race at 2:27 a.m. Wednesday.
Denise Powell speaks at her election night party on Nov. 4, 2026. (Photo by Ailyn Adame for Nebraska Examiner)
2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
By Juan Salinas II and Cindy Gonzalez
Democrat Denise Powell easily won against Republican Brinker Harding to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, the state's most politically divided and diverse district.
State Sen. Robert Dover of Norfolk holds a stack of binders containing the budgetary work spearheaded by the Legislature's Appropriations Committee. March 12, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1
By Erin Bamer
Nebraska’s state senators will remain limited to two consecutive four-year terms after voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have extended them. The ballot measure came from Legislative Resolution 19CA, which state Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk introduced in 2025.
Former Dunbar state Sen. Julie Slama speaking at the Capitol about the Fairness for Girls' ballot measure on June 30, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
INITIATIVE MEASURE 442
By Erin Bamer
Democrat Denise Powell easily won against Republican Brinker Harding to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, the state's most politically divided and diverse district.
The fantasy sports website DraftKings is shown on Oct. 16, 2015, in Chicago, Ill. DraftKings and its (Photo illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
INITIATIVE MEASURES 440 & 441
By Erin Bamer
Though margins were still slim late Tuesday night, Nebraska voters were on track to reject a pair of ballot measures looking to legalize and regulate online sports betting, according to unofficial results.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
COMMENTARY
Sounds of silence return after costly campaigns |George Ayoub
From floods to wildfires, Nebraska knows what extremes cost | Laurel Van Ham, Rob Kahn
EDITOR'S CHOICE
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