In unofficial election results from Tuesday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts held off a challenge from Independent candidate Dan Osborn by a margin of 50% to 44%.
Gov. Jim Pillen and Lt. Gov Joe Kelly had 51% of the votes compared to 42% for Lynne Walz and Ben Steffen.
In a statement Wednesday morning, Lynne Walz said she called Governor Jim Pillen to congratulate him and wish him well in his continued service to the state. Walz said her campaign focused on bringing Nebraskans together and pledged to continue advocating for families she said are struggling to keep up economically. “This isn’t the result we hoped for, but this campaign was always about bringing Nebraskans together, and that work doesn’t end today,” Walz said
Scott Petersen who defeated incumbent Bob Evnen in the Primary Election, led Democrat Sarah Slattery, 54% to 40%.
Joey Spellerberg, who was appointed State Treasurer earlier this year, won election with 59% to 41% for Daniel Ebers.
For Attorney General Mike Hilgers won reelection over Democrat Jocelyn Brasher, 56% to 44%.
Mike Foley was reelected Auditor of Public Accounts, 75% over John Knight 25%.
In Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, incumbent Mike Flood defeated a challenge from Democrat Chris Backemeyer 50% to 46%.
Brinker Harding conceded his loss to Democrate Denise Powell in the 2nd Congressional District race to succed Don Bacon. The margin was 56% to Powell and 41% to Harding.
Adrian Smith easily won reelection at 71% over Democratic challenger Becky Kelly Stille 20%.
Nebraska voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed state senators to serve up to 12 consecutive years in the Legislature. Unofficial election results show voters defeated the measure by an 80 percent to 20 percent margin. The proposal, known as LR19CA, would have increased legislative term limits from two consecutive four-year terms to three consecutive four-year terms.
Nebraska voters rejected Initiative Measure 440, the constitutional amendment that would have allowed online sports wagering through licensed racetrack casinos. The measure failed with 55% voting against the proposal and 45% in favor. Because the amendment did not pass, efforts to expand sports betting to mobile and internet-based platforms in the state will not move forward. The result also effectively blocks implementation of the related regulatory framework proposed under Initiative Measure 441
Voters approved Initiative Measure 442, “Fairness for Girls,” with 68% voting in favor and 32% voting against the proposal. The measure requires school athletic teams to be designated as male, female, or coeducational and prohibits biological males from participating on female school sports teams. Supporters said the measure protects opportunities for girls’ athletics, while opponents argued it excludes transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity.
