By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“I think a big part of our success was people’s frustration with this current administration … I know that my job over the next two years is to show the people of this district that I am truly going to fight for the things that I said that I was going to fight for.” - Denise Powell, speaking to press at her campaign headquarters Wednesday.
Denise Powell greets supporters at her watch party turned victory in Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. The Nov. 3 event was in downtown Omaha at the Hilton at 10th and Cass streets. (Photo by Ailyn Adame for Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
OMAHA — Denise Powell’s victory in Nebraska’s most politically divided and diverse congressional district was part of a historic night for Democrats nationally, as voters across the country delivered a significant rebuke to the Trump administration.
Matt McCarville, chief information officer for the State of Nebraska, at an inaugural public roundtable of Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s cabinet. April 20, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Cindy Gonzalez
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s chief information officer, Matthew McCarville, has resigned after serving in the role since 2024. The position is part of Gov. Jim Pillen’s cabinet.
Voters fill out ballots and check in with election workers at a polling place in Lincoln, Nebraska, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Tables and voting booths fill the room as neighbors exercise their right to vote. (Photo by Michelle Montenegro/Nebraska News Service)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — Voters in Nebraska’s capital city widely favored ending off-year elections after 2029 and limiting Lincoln City Council members to two consecutive four-year terms.
Many state judges, at right, and Nebraskans joined in the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda for the investiture of Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke. Nov. 22, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Judicial Branch)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — Voters across Nebraska favored keeping all 48 of the judges who faced up-or-down votes on remaining in office for an additional six years, keeping alive a 16-year streak of no booted jurists.
The 2026 candidates for the Nebraska Legislature arranged by district. (Photos courtesy of the candidates/campaigns | Nebraska Capitol photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ICYMI
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.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Walz concedes Nebraska governor’s race to Gov. Jim Pillen | Zach Wendling
Republicans sweep State Board of Education races | Zach Wendling
COMMENTARY
Sounds of silence return after costly campaigns | George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Scenes from Election Day | Nebraska Examiner staff
Denise Powell becomes the first Democrat in a decade to represent Nebraska's 2nd District | Juan Salinas II and Cindy Gonzalez
Nebraska icon on the move: Relocation set for historic Bryan mansion, to let hospital grow | Cindy Gonzalez
Thanks for reading Examiner Today. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.