2021 Omaha mayoral election

2021 Omaha mayoral election
Stothert: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%	Neary: 40–50% 50–60%
Mayor before election; Jean Stothert; Republican	Elected Mayor ; Jean Stothert; Republican

The 2021 Omaha mayoral election was held in 2021. Incumbent Republican mayor Jean Stothert was re-elected to a third term in office.^[1] Stothert is the first person elected to a third consecutive term as mayor of Omaha.^[2]

The position of mayor in Omaha is officially a non-partisan position. A blanket primary was held on April 6, 2021.^[3] The top two finishers in the primary moved on to the general election which was held on May 11, 2021.

Primary election[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Mark Gudgel, high school English teacher (Party preference: Democratic)^[3]
Jasmine Harris, public health official (Party preference: Democratic)^[4]
RJ Neary, real estate broker (Party preference: Democratic)^[5]
Kimara Snipes, member of the Omaha school board (Party preference: Democratic)^[6]
Jean Stothert, incumbent mayor (Party preference: Republican)^[1]

Failed to qualify[]

Dawaune Hayes, founder and director of North Omaha Information Support Everyone (Party preference: Democratic)^[7] (endorsed Harris, then Neary)

Declined[]

Jim Cavanaugh, Douglas County commissioner (Party preference: Democratic)^[8]

Debates[]

Host network	Date	Link(s)	Participants
Host network	Date	Link(s)	Mark Gudgel (D)	Jasmine Harris (D)	RJ Neary (D)	Kimara Snipes (D)	Jean Stothert (R)	Dawaune Hayes (D)
Hungry Club Mayoral Candidate Forum	March 31, 2021	^[9]	Present	Present	Present	Present	Present	Present

Endorsements[]

Kimara Snipes (D)

Federal officials

Ben Nelson, former U.S. Senator and former Governor of Nebraska^[10]

Local officials

Don Preister, Bellevue city councilor, former president of the Bellevue city council, and former state senator^[10]

Individuals

Ann Ashford, attorney, wife of former U.S. Representative Brad Ashford, and candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2020^[10]
Kara Eastman, nonprofit executive and nominee for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2018 and 2020^[10]

Jean Stothert (R)

Omaha Police Union^[11]

Individuals

Warren Buffett, investor, business tycoon, philanthropist, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and world's seventh-wealthiest person. (Democrat)^[12]

RJ Neary (D)^[13]

Federal officials

Bob Kerrey, former U.S. Senator and former Governor of Nebraska^[14]
John Joseph Cavanaugh III, former U.S. representative for NE-02 (1977-1981)^[15]

State officials

Burke Harr, former state senator^[16]

Local officials

Mike Fahey, former mayor^[17]
Jim Suttle, former mayor^[18]
Garry Gernandt, former Omaha City Councillor^[19]
Vinny Palermo, Omaha City Council

Organizations

Omaha Federation of Labor^[20]
Omaha Labor Council^[21]

Jasmine Harris (D)

Local officials

Dawaune Hayes^[7]

Mark Gudgel (D)

Individuals

Steven Bonnell II, popular Twitch streamer, political commentator, YouTube personality, and Omaha native^[22]

Results[]

Omaha mayoral primary results, April 6, 2021^[23]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jean Stothert (incumbent)	47,966	56.58
	Democratic	RJ Neary	13,162	15.52
	Democratic	Jasmine Harris	11,993	14.15
	Democratic	Kimara Snipe	7,469	8.81
	Democratic	Mark Gudgel	4,087	4.82
	Write-in		106	0.13
Total votes			84,783	100.00

General election[]

Candidates[]

Jean Stothert, incumbent mayor (Republican)
RJ Neary, real estate broker (Democratic)

Debate[]

Host	Date & Time	Link(s)	Participants
Host	Date & Time	Link(s)	Jean Stothert (R)	RJ Neary (D)
KFAB	May 6, 2021	^[24]	Present	Present
Omaha by Design	May 4, 2021	^[25]	Present	Present
KETV	May 2, 2021	^[26]	Present	Present
KMTV	April 26, 2021	^[27]	Present	Present
WOWT	April 22, 2021	^[28]	Present	Present

Endorsements[]

Jean Stothert (R)

U.S. Governors

Dave Heineman, former Governor and former Lieutenant Governor^[29]

Local officials

Donald Kleine, Douglas County Attorney, and former sheriff^[30]

Organization

Omaha Police Union^[31]
Omaha World-Herald^[32]

Individual

Warren Buffett, investor and fifth-richest man in the world^[33] (Democrat)

RJ Neary (D)^[13]

U.S. Senators

Bob Kerrey, former U.S. Senator and former Governor of Nebraska^[34]

U.S. Representatives

John Joseph Cavanaugh III, former U.S. representative for NE-02 (1977-1981)^[35]

State Senator

Burke Harr, former state senator^[36]
Steve Lathrop, state senator^[37]

County commission

Mike Boyle, Douglas County Commissioner, former mayor^[38]

Country Treasurer

John Ewing, Douglas County Treasurer^[39]

Local officials

Ben Gray, Omaha City Council^[40]
Chris Jerram, Omaha City Council^[40]
Dawaune Hayes, founder and director of North Omaha Information Support Everyone^[40]
Garry Gernandt, former Omaha City Councillor^[41]
Jasmine Harris, public health official^[40]
Jim Suttle, former mayor^[42]
Mark Gudgel, high school English teacher^[40]
Mike Fahey, former mayor^[43]
Vinny Palermo, Omaha City Council^[40]

Organizations

Omaha Federation of Labor^[44]
Omaha Labor Council^[45]
Nebraska Democratic Party^[46]

Individuals

Jane Kleeb, Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party^[47]

Results[]

Omaha mayoral election results, May 11, 2021^[48]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jean Stothert (incumbent)	62,646	64.37
	Democratic	RJ Neary	33,822	34.75
	Write-in		859	0.88
Total votes			97,327	100.00

Results by city council district[]

District	Jean Stothert		RJ Neary		Write-ins		Total
District	Votes	Percent	Votes	Percent	Votes	Percent	Total
1	8,538	56.36%	6,424	42.41%	186	1.23%	15,148
2	3,101	40.51%	4,433	57.92%	120	1.57%	7,654
3	6,345	48.72%	6,425	49.34%	253	1.94%	13,023
4	4,563	64.13%	2,485	34.93%	67	0.94%	7,115
5	12,195	75.23%	3,959	24.42%	56	0.35%	16,210
6	15,389	74.96%	5,058	24.64%	83	0.40%	20,530
7	12,515	70.92%	5,038	28.55%	94	0.53%	17,647

^[49]

References[]

^ ^a ^b "Harris announces mayoral bid to challenge Stothert in 2021". KMTV. October 20, 2020.
^ Bandur, Michelle (13 May 2021). "'It definitely was historic,' Mayor Jean Stothert celebrates unprecedented third consecutive term in office". KETV. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Local teacher running for Omaha mayor". KETV. September 29, 2020.
^ Mastre, Brian. "Jasmine Harris declares candidacy for Omaha mayor". wowt.com.
^ Sanderford, Aaron. "Local developer RJ Neary steps into Omaha mayor's race to challenge Stothert". Omaha.com.
^ "Kimara Snipes for Mayor". www.kimarasnipes.com.
^ ^a ^b "This Election Could Transform Policing in Omaha". The Appeal Political Report. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
^ "Cavanaugh says no to bid for Omaha Mayor". KETV. February 10, 2021.
^ "Hungry Club Mayoral Candidate Forum". www.facebook.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Lundgren, Harper. "Kimara Snipes formally announces candidacy for Omaha mayor". www.wowt.com.
^ Mastre, Brian. "Omaha Police Union endorses Mayor Stothert". www.wowt.com.
^ Henry Codes (April 16, 2021). "Warren Buffett endorses Jean Stothert for third term as Omaha mayor". Omaha World-Herald.
^ ^a ^b "Rj Neary for Mayor - Endorsements".
^ Ristau, Reece. "Former Rep. Cavanaugh, previous mayors endorse RJ Neary in Omaha mayor's race". www.omaha.com.
^ Neary, Rj. "John Cavanaugh is have backed Rj Neary". Rj Neary for mayor.
^ Neary, Rj. "Burke Harr Endorses..." Rj Neary for mayor.
^ Ryan, Matt. "Democratic candidate R.J. Neary kicked off his campaign along with former Omaha mayor Mike Fahey who introduced him via zoom". KMTV.
^ sambel, john. "Jim Suttle is have backed Rj Neary for mayor". Reddit.
^ Neary, Rj. "Garry Gernandt endorses rj Neary for mayor". Rj Neary for mayor.
^ Jordan, Joe. "City's police union backs Stothert, Federation of Labor sides with Neary". News Channel Nebraska.
^ Dvorak, Gina. "Omaha labor council endorses mayoral candidate RJ Neary". wowt.
^ "This Week In Omaha - Episode 17"
^ "2021 Primary Election Official Results" (PDF). Douglas County Election Commission. April 9, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
^ "WATCH: The NewsRadio 1110 KFAB Mayoral Debate with Jean Stothert and RJ Neary!". https:Facebook. 2021-05-06.
^ "2021 Omaha by Design Mayoral Forum". https:Facebook. 2021-05-04.
^ "KETV to host Omaha Mayoral Debate Sunday evening". KETV. 2021-05-02.
^ "LIVE:OMAHA MAYORAL DEBATE". KMTV. 2021-04-26.
^ "Omaha mayoral debate". WOWT. 2021-04-22.
^ "Primary Night". Retrieved April 6, 2021.
^ "Mayor Stothert receives endorsements from FOP, Douglas County Attorney, and former sheriff". ketv.com.
^ Mastre, Brian. "Omaha Police Union endorses Mayor Stothert". www.wowt.com.
^ "Editorial stothert is an effective leader who deserves reelection". Omaha.com.
^ "Warren Buffett endorses Jean Stothert for third term as Omaha mayor". Omaha.com.
^ Ristau, Reece. "Former Rep. Cavanaugh, previous mayors endorse RJ Neary in Omaha mayor's race". www.omaha.com.
^ Neary, Rj. "John Cavanaugh is have backed Rj Neary". Rj Neary for mayor.
^ Neay, Rj. "Burke Harr Endorses..." Rj Neary for mayor.
^ Neary, RJ. "Steve Lathrop endorsed Neary for mayor". www.nearyforomaha.com/.
^ "Noteworthy endorsements". ballotpedia.org.
^ "Here is a list of our endorsements:". www.nearyforomaha.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Democratic Party, Nebraska. "Neary for Omaha Virtual Campaign Kick Off!". nebraskademocrats.org/.
^ Neary, Rj. "Garry Gernandt endorses rj Neary for mayor". Rj Neary for mayor.
^ sambel, john. "Jim Suttle is have backed Rj Neary for mayor". Reddit.
^ Ryan, Matt. "Democratic candidate R.J. Neary kicked off his campaign along with former Omaha mayor Mike Fahey who introduced him via zoom". KMTV.
^ Jordan, Joe. "City's police union backs Stothert, Federation of Labor sides with Neary". News Channel Nebraska.
^ Dvorak, Gina. "Omaha labor council endorses mayoral candidate RJ Neary". wowt.
^ Democratic Party, Nebraska. "2021 Candidates". nebraskademocrats.org/.
^ Kleed, Jane. "Congrats! We move forward together as a Democratic family". Twitter.
^ "2021 General Election Official Results" (PDF). Douglas County Election Commission. May 27, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
^ "Douglas County Election Commission | May 11, 2021 City of Omaha General Election | Official Results". Douglas County Election Commission. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.

External links[]

Official websites for mayoral candidates

[stothert-1] "Harris announces mayoral bid to challenge Stothert in 2021". KMTV. October 20, 2020.

[2] Bandur, Michelle (13 May 2021). "'It definitely was historic,' Mayor Jean Stothert celebrates unprecedented third consecutive term in office". KETV. Retrieved 14 May 2021.

[gudgel-3] "Local teacher running for Omaha mayor". KETV. September 29, 2020.

[4] Mastre, Brian. "Jasmine Harris declares candidacy for Omaha mayor". wowt.com.

[5] Sanderford, Aaron. "Local developer RJ Neary steps into Omaha mayor's race to challenge Stothert". Omaha.com.

[6] "Kimara Snipes for Mayor". www.kimarasnipes.com.

[The_Appeal-7] "This Election Could Transform Policing in Omaha". The Appeal Political Report. Retrieved 2021-06-09.

[8] "Cavanaugh says no to bid for Omaha Mayor". KETV. February 10, 2021.

[9] "Hungry Club Mayoral Candidate Forum". www.facebook.com.

[snipes_endorsements-10] Lundgren, Harper. "Kimara Snipes formally announces candidacy for Omaha mayor". www.wowt.com.

[11] Mastre, Brian. "Omaha Police Union endorses Mayor Stothert". www.wowt.com.

[12] Henry Codes (April 16, 2021). "Warren Buffett endorses Jean Stothert for third term as Omaha mayor". Omaha World-Herald.

[nearyendorsements-13] "Rj Neary for Mayor - Endorsements".

[14] Ristau, Reece. "Former Rep. Cavanaugh, previous mayors endorse RJ Neary in Omaha mayor's race". www.omaha.com.

[15] Neary, Rj. "John Cavanaugh is have backed Rj Neary". Rj Neary for mayor.

[16] Neary, Rj. "Burke Harr Endorses..." Rj Neary for mayor.

[17] Ryan, Matt. "Democratic candidate R.J. Neary kicked off his campaign along with former Omaha mayor Mike Fahey who introduced him via zoom". KMTV.

[18] sambel, john. "Jim Suttle is have backed Rj Neary for mayor". Reddit.

[19] Neary, Rj. "Garry Gernandt endorses rj Neary for mayor". Rj Neary for mayor.

[20] Jordan, Joe. "City's police union backs Stothert, Federation of Labor sides with Neary". News Channel Nebraska.

[21] Dvorak, Gina. "Omaha labor council endorses mayoral candidate RJ Neary". wowt.

[22] "This Week In Omaha - Episode 17"

[23] "2021 Primary Election Official Results" (PDF). Douglas County Election Commission. April 9, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.

[24] "WATCH: The NewsRadio 1110 KFAB Mayoral Debate with Jean Stothert and RJ Neary!". https:Facebook. 2021-05-06.

[25] "2021 Omaha by Design Mayoral Forum". https:Facebook. 2021-05-04.

[26] "KETV to host Omaha Mayoral Debate Sunday evening". KETV. 2021-05-02.

[27] "LIVE:OMAHA MAYORAL DEBATE". KMTV. 2021-04-26.

[28] "Omaha mayoral debate". WOWT. 2021-04-22.

[29] "Primary Night". Retrieved April 6, 2021.

[30] "Mayor Stothert receives endorsements from FOP, Douglas County Attorney, and former sheriff". ketv.com.

[31] Mastre, Brian. "Omaha Police Union endorses Mayor Stothert". www.wowt.com.

[32] "Editorial stothert is an effective leader who deserves reelection". Omaha.com.

[33] "Warren Buffett endorses Jean Stothert for third term as Omaha mayor". Omaha.com.

[34] Ristau, Reece. "Former Rep. Cavanaugh, previous mayors endorse RJ Neary in Omaha mayor's race". www.omaha.com.

[35] Neary, Rj. "John Cavanaugh is have backed Rj Neary". Rj Neary for mayor.

[36] Neay, Rj. "Burke Harr Endorses..." Rj Neary for mayor.

[37] Neary, RJ. "Steve Lathrop endorsed Neary for mayor". www.nearyforomaha.com/.

[38] "Noteworthy endorsements". ballotpedia.org.

[39] "Here is a list of our endorsements:". www.nearyforomaha.com.

[NFOVCKO-40] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Democratic Party, Nebraska. "Neary for Omaha Virtual Campaign Kick Off!". nebraskademocrats.org/.

[41] Neary, Rj. "Garry Gernandt endorses rj Neary for mayor". Rj Neary for mayor.

[42] sambel, john. "Jim Suttle is have backed Rj Neary for mayor". Reddit.

[43] Ryan, Matt. "Democratic candidate R.J. Neary kicked off his campaign along with former Omaha mayor Mike Fahey who introduced him via zoom". KMTV.

[44] Jordan, Joe. "City's police union backs Stothert, Federation of Labor sides with Neary". News Channel Nebraska.

[45] Dvorak, Gina. "Omaha labor council endorses mayoral candidate RJ Neary". wowt.

[46] Democratic Party, Nebraska. "2021 Candidates". nebraskademocrats.org/.

[47] Kleed, Jane. "Congrats! We move forward together as a Democratic family". Twitter.

[48] "2021 General Election Official Results" (PDF). Douglas County Election Commission. May 27, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.

[49] "Douglas County Election Commission | May 11, 2021 City of Omaha General Election | Official Results". Douglas County Election Commission. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.

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