PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
May 13, 2026
Contacto: José Flores, Jr., Director de Comunicaciones
402-215-1052, jose@nebraskademocrats.org
***Nebraska Democratic Party News Press Release for 5-13-2026***
Nebraska Democratic Party Statement on the Democratic Primary Election Results
LINCOLN, NE – The Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb issues the following statement regarding the Nebraska Democratic Primary Election results:
“For the past 10 years, we have built our party at the state and local level to meet this moment. The enthusiasm of our base and the coalition we are building across party lines will deliver real results for Nebraskans. This cycle alone, the party and candidates knocked on 234k doors, made 94k phone calls, and texted over 1 million messages to deliver our message to voters.
The blue dot will deliver a strong NE02 nominee. The voters of the congressional district helped push state legislative candidates across the finish line – giving us a real path to end the GOP supermajority.
NE01 might not be on the national map yet, but we are confident Chris Backemeyer will defeat Mike Flood this November.
Pete Ricketts thought he could buy our Democratic ballot line for U.S. Senate. Voters soundly rejected his candidate, William Forbes. We look forward to sending a mechanic, Dan Osborn, to the U.S. Senate to replace Ricketts, the out-of-touch billionaire.
Nebraska is now represented by three strong women at the top of our statewide ticket – Lynne Walz, Sarah Slattery, and Jocelyn Brasher – running for Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. Gone are the days of Pillen and Hageman weaponizing their offices against Nebraskans. Democratic women will get things done for the people.”
Primary Election Result Highlights
The combined votes for all Democratic candidates in the NE02 race were over 51,000 compared to the Republican candidates at just over 37,000.
Democrats’ return rate for mail-in ballots was 76% compared to Republicans at 69%, showing the enthusiasm of our voters.
Nebraska Democrats delivered in the primary: 18 of 19 NDP-supported legislative candidates advanced to the general election — a 95% success rate. And 11 of them, 61%, are heading into November in the lead.
The legislative candidates supported by the Nebraska Democratic Party advanced in 18 competitive seats, giving us the chance to flip seats to break the GOP Supermajority.
Democratic and Independent Candidates Advancing to the General Election
Democratic and Independent (Non-Partisan/NP) candidates we are supporting heading to the Nebraska General Election include:
Senado de los Estados Unidos – Cindy Burbank
NE Congressional District 1 – Chris Backemeyer
NE Congressional District 2 – John Cavanaugh*
NE Congressional District 2 – Denise Powell*
NE Congressional District 3 – Becky Stille
Nebraska Governor – Lynne Walz
Nebraska Secretary of State – Sarah Slattery
Nebraska Attorney General – Jocelyn Brasher
Nebraska State Treasurer – Dan Ebers
State Board of Education Dist 5 – Michaela Conway
State Board of Education Dist 6 – Grady Erickson
State Board of Education Dist 8 – Sherrye Hutcherson (NP)
NE Board of Regents Dist 1 – Brent Comstock (NP)
NE Board of Regents Dist 2 – Elizabeth Butler (NP)
NE Board of Regents Dist 4 – Susanne Shore
NE Board of Regents Dist 4 – Justin Solomon
Public Service Commission Dist 2 – Wendy DeBoer
State Legislature Dist 2 – Caitlin Knutson
State Legislature Dist 4 – Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek (NP)
State Legislature Dist 6 – Nate Ostdiek
State Legislature Dist 6 – Patrick Leahy
State Legislature Dist 8 – Erin Feichtinger
State Legislature Dist 8 – Josh Livingston
State Legislature Dist 10 – Cindy Johnson
State Legislature Dist 12 – Christy Knorr
State Legislature Dist 14 – SuAnn Witt
State Legislature Dist 16 – Cindy Chatt
State Legislature Dist 18 – Jess Goldoni
State Legislature Dist 20 – John Fredrickson
State Legislature Dist 26 – George Dungan
State Legislature Dist 28 – Patty Pansing Brooks
State Legislature Dist 30 – Janet Bock
State Legislature Dist 32 – Shaylene Smith (NP)
State Legislature Dist 34 – Ben Blodgett
State Legislature Dist 36 – Darin Tompkins
State Legislature Dist 41 – Jeremy Heneger
State Legislature Dist 46 – Danielle Conrad
*The Associated Press has yet to call the race in NE02 at the time of this press release.
Final results are not certified by the Secretary of State until May 21.
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