2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election

The 2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election will take place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Nebraska. Incumbent Republican governor Pete Ricketts is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.^[1]

Republican primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Michael Connely, educational advisor, quality assurance director, small-scale agribusiness, USMC veteran (Aviation Communication and Navigation, Military Intelligence Security, Medical Laboratory)^[2]
Charles W. Herbster, farmer and candidate for governor in 2014^[1]^[3]
Brett Lindstrom, financial advisor, state senator, and candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2012^[1]^[4]^[5]^[6]
Jim Pillen, pig farmer, agribusinessman, and member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents^[7]
Breland Ridenour, Information Technology Manager^[8]
Theresa Thibodeau, former state senator (2017–2019) and former chair of the Douglas County Republican Party^[9]

Potential[]

Jeff Fortenberry, U.S. Representative for Nebraska's 1st congressional district (2005–present)^[4]
Greg Ibach, former U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (2017–2021) and former Nebraska Director of Agriculture (2005–2017)^[10]
Dave Nabity, financial adviser, talk show host, and candidate for governor in 2006^[4]
Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and candidate for governor in 2014^[1]
John Stinner, state senator (2015–present)^[4]

Declined[]

Don Bacon, U.S. Representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district (2017–present) (running for re-election)^[11]^[12]
Deb Fischer, U.S. Senator (2013–present)^[4]^[5]
Mike Flood, state senator (2005–2013, 2021–present), former Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature (2007–2013), and candidate for governor in 2014^[13]
Mike Foley, Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska (2015–present), former Nebraska State Auditor (2007–2015), and candidate for governor in 2014 (running for State Auditor)^[1]^[10]^[14]
Dave Heineman, former governor (2005–2015)^[4]^[15]^[16]
Mike Hilgers, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature (2021–present) (running for Attorney General)^[4]^[17]
Adrian Smith, U.S. Representative for Nebraska's 3rd congressional district (2007–present) (running for re-election)^[4]
Jean Stothert, Mayor of Omaha (2013–present)^[1]^[4]

Endorsements[]

Jim Pillen

Statewide officials

Kay A. Orr, 36th Governor of Nebraska (1987–1991)^[18]

State officials

Joni Albrecht, member of the Nebraska Legislature representing the 17th district (2017-present)^[19]
Dan Hughes, member and chair of the executive board of the Nebraska Legislature representing the 44th district (2014-present)^[20]
Tanya Storer, current member of Cherry County, Nebraska board of commissioners^[21]
Lou Ann Linehan, member of Nebraska Legislature representing the 39th district (2017-present)^[22]
Suzanne Geist, member of Nebraska Legislature representing the 25th district (2017-present)^[23]

Individuals

Tom Osborne, Nebraska Cornhuskers head football coach (1973–1997), former college athletics administrator, and former Congressman^[24]

Charles W. Herbster

Executive Branch officials

Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)^[25]

Democratic primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Carol Blood, state senator (2017–present)^[26]

Potential[]

Sara Howard, member of the Omaha Public Power District board (2021–present) and former state senator (2013–2021)^[4]
Steve Lathrop, state senator (2007–2015, 2019–present)^[1]

Withdrew[]

Bob Krist, former state senator (2009–2019) and nominee for governor in 2018^[27]

Declined[]

Alisha Shelton, Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 (running for U.S. House)^[28]
Tony Vargas, state senator (2017–present) (running for U.S. House)^[29]

Endorsements[]

Carol Blood

Organizations

Nebraska Democratic Party^[30]

Libertarian primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Scott Zimmerman, businessman, comedian, founder of Z-Trak Productions^[31]

General election[]

Predictions[]

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[32]	Solid R	October 5, 2021
Inside Elections^[33]	Solid R	September 29, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[34]	Safe R	September 15, 2021

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Hammel, Paul. "Candidates exploring runs in 2022 governor's race; Ricketts can't run due to term limits". omaha.com. Omaha World Herald. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
^ "Lincoln veteran Michael Connely seeking state senate seat, announces 2022 Governor run". www.1011now.com. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
^ "Herbster files, 2022 Governor's race off and running".
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Sanderford, Aaron (January 31, 2021). "The race to replace Ricketts: Who's in, who's thinking, who's out of campaign for governor". Omaha.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Hammel, Paul. "Sen. Deb Fischer says she won't run for Nebraska governor, likes being a legislator". Omaha.com. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
^ Walton, Don. "Regent Jim Pillen says he's running for governor of Nebraska". JournalStar.com. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
^ KETV Staff Report (April 7, 2021). "University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen announces he is running for governor". KETV. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
^ KETV Staff Report (May 12, 2021). "Another Republican enters the race for Nebraska governor". KETV. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
^ Stoddard, Martha (October 28, 2021). "Omahan Theresa Thibodeau exploring run for Nebraska governor to give GOP options". Omaha World-Herald (published October 21, 2021). Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Governor's race in 2022 appears to be wide open".
^ "Bacon says he is considering race for governor".
^ Editor, Randy Essex World-Herald Executive. "Don Bacon won't run for Nebraska governor; looks forward to congressional roles". Omaha.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
^ Hammel, Paul (August 17, 2019). "Former Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood seeks to reclaim District 19 seat". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
^ Bureau, Paul Hammel World-Herald. "Nebraska auditor not running for reelection; lieutenant governor will seek his old job". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
^ Bureau, Paul Hammel World-Herald. "Former Gov. Dave Heineman said to be seriously considering run for his old office in 2022". Omaha.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
^ "Former Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman announces he will not be running in 2022". KMTV. December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
^ Walton, Don (December 15, 2021). "Hilgers announces Republican candidacy for attorney general". Lexington Clipper-Herald. Lincoln Journal Star. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
^ "Governor Orr endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". LJS. April 29, 2021.
^ "Senator Albrecht endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". YouTube. November 22, 2021.
^ "Senator Hughes endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". McCook Gazette. June 3, 2021.
^ "Tanya Storer endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". YouTube. August 25, 2021.
^ "Lou Ann Linehan endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". Lincoln Journal Star. June 16, 2021.
^ "Suzanne Geist endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". YouTube. June 11, 2021.
^ "Coach Osborne endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". Custer County Chief. April 23, 2021.
^ "Trump endorses Herbster for Nebraska governor". WOWT. October 27, 2021.
^ "Carol Blood formally enters race for Nebraska Governor". KETV. September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
^ "Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission". nadc.nebraska.gov. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
^ "Alisha Shelton announces run for Nebraska's 2nd District Congressional seat". KMTV. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
^ Walton, Don. "Sen. Tony Vargas will seek metro Omaha House seat". JournalStar.com. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ "State Sen. Carol Blood announces run for Nebraska governor". September 14, 2021.
^ "Libertarian candidate for governor pledges less government". Norfolk Daily News. September 11, 2021.
^ "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
^ "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

External links[]

Official campaign websites

[potentials-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Hammel, Paul. "Candidates exploring runs in 2022 governor's race; Ricketts can't run due to term limits". omaha.com. Omaha World Herald. Retrieved March 4, 2020.

[2] "Lincoln veteran Michael Connely seeking state senate seat, announces 2022 Governor run". www.1011now.com. Retrieved April 17, 2021.

[3] "Herbster files, 2022 Governor's race off and running".

[Omaha-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Sanderford, Aaron (January 31, 2021). "The race to replace Ricketts: Who's in, who's thinking, who's out of campaign for governor". Omaha.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.

[:0-5] Hammel, Paul. "Sen. Deb Fischer says she won't run for Nebraska governor, likes being a legislator". Omaha.com. Retrieved April 1, 2021.

[6] Walton, Don. "Regent Jim Pillen says he's running for governor of Nebraska". JournalStar.com. Retrieved April 7, 2021.

[7] KETV Staff Report (April 7, 2021). "University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen announces he is running for governor". KETV. Retrieved April 7, 2021.

[8] KETV Staff Report (May 12, 2021). "Another Republican enters the race for Nebraska governor". KETV. Retrieved May 12, 2021.

[9] Stoddard, Martha (October 28, 2021). "Omahan Theresa Thibodeau exploring run for Nebraska governor to give GOP options". Omaha World-Herald (published October 21, 2021). Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.

[journalstar-10] "Governor's race in 2022 appears to be wide open".

[11] "Bacon says he is considering race for governor".

[12] Editor, Randy Essex World-Herald Executive. "Don Bacon won't run for Nebraska governor; looks forward to congressional roles". Omaha.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)

[13] Hammel, Paul (August 17, 2019). "Former Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood seeks to reclaim District 19 seat". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved September 5, 2020.

[14] Bureau, Paul Hammel World-Herald. "Nebraska auditor not running for reelection; lieutenant governor will seek his old job". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved November 11, 2021.

[15] Bureau, Paul Hammel World-Herald. "Former Gov. Dave Heineman said to be seriously considering run for his old office in 2022". Omaha.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.

[16] "Former Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman announces he will not be running in 2022". KMTV. December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.

[17] Walton, Don (December 15, 2021). "Hilgers announces Republican candidacy for attorney general". Lexington Clipper-Herald. Lincoln Journal Star. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.

[18] "Governor Orr endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". LJS. April 29, 2021.

[19] "Senator Albrecht endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". YouTube. November 22, 2021.

[20] "Senator Hughes endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". McCook Gazette. June 3, 2021.

[21] "Tanya Storer endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". YouTube. August 25, 2021.

[22] "Lou Ann Linehan endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". Lincoln Journal Star. June 16, 2021.

[23] "Suzanne Geist endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". YouTube. June 11, 2021.

[24] "Coach Osborne endorses Pillen for Nebraska Governor". Custer County Chief. April 23, 2021.

[25] "Trump endorses Herbster for Nebraska governor". WOWT. October 27, 2021.

[26] "Carol Blood formally enters race for Nebraska Governor". KETV. September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.

[27] "Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission". nadc.nebraska.gov. Retrieved July 15, 2021.

[28] "Alisha Shelton announces run for Nebraska's 2nd District Congressional seat". KMTV. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.

[29] Walton, Don. "Sen. Tony Vargas will seek metro Omaha House seat". JournalStar.com. Retrieved July 13, 2021.

[30] "State Sen. Carol Blood announces run for Nebraska governor". September 14, 2021.

[31] "Libertarian candidate for governor pledges less government". Norfolk Daily News. September 11, 2021.

[Cook_PR-32] "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

[Inside_Elections-33] "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

[Sabato's_Crystal_Ball-34] "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

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