Incumbent: Jim Pillen (Republican) · Incumbent renominated
General election Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026
Incumbent governor (2023–present).
Former state senator from the 15th district (2017–2025) and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018.
Private chef, winemaker, and former farmer.
Former state senator from the 18th district (2015–2023), Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2012 and 2026, and Republican candidate for governor in 2022.
Candidates checked against the official list: state election office source. Candidate list compiled from the Wikipedia race page and the sources on each profile. Check your official sample ballot before voting.
Topic rows are grouped by Vote Book; the headings and quoted words are each candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” means a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote. A yellow tag means no public position was found on that topic.
| Abortion | |
|---|---|
| Pillen Protecting Life I am proudly prolife . I believe life begins at conception and that Nebraska should advance a culture of life and protect the unborn. I am committed to protecting Nebraska’s most vulnerable. I oppose taxpayer money funding organizations that commit abortions, and support adoption options for mothers and families in … Original: jimpillen.com/issues (accessed Oct 16, 2026) I am proudly prolife I believe life begins at conception and that Nebraska should advance a culture of life and protect the unborn. I am committed to protecting Nebraska’s most vulnerable. I oppose taxpayer money funding organizations that commit abortions, and support adoption options for mothers and families in crisis Original: jimpillen.com/issues (accessed Oct 16, 2026) | WalzNo public position found |
| Education | |
| Pillen Education My parents insisted that education would open doors for our future. They sacrificed so we would have the opportunity to pursue our dreams. One of the reasons I am running for governor is to give every child the chance to pursue their dreams right here in Nebraska. Original: jimpillen.com/issues (accessed Oct 16, 2026) I am fully committed to K-12 education in Nebraska. Our schools must prepare our kids to compete in a global workforce. I support options for parents and making sure our students have a pathway to a great job in Nebraska's workforce upon graduation. That could mean learning a trade or getting a degree at NU or one of our great state or private colleges Original: jimpillen.com/issues (accessed Oct 16, 2026) | WalzNo public position found |
| Taxes & spending | |
| Pillen Property Taxes We have to fix our broken property tax system. Governor Ricketts has made good on his promise to address property taxes every year he has been in office, putting hundreds of millions of dollars into the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund. And yet property taxes are still too high and remain a top concern for families and … Original: jimpillen.com/issues (accessed Oct 16, 2026) How would you manage the state budget while protecting services that support Nebraska families and communities? As Governor, I've made it my mission to run government like a business. That means cutting spending while improving services. In my first year in office, I worked with the Legislature to pass and sign historic tax relief for Nebraskans, and we're taking aggressive steps to solve the property tax crisis. I'm proud that during my time as Governor our state has achieved the highest credit rating possible (AAA) and been consistently graded highly for fiscal responsibility. With another term, our administration will continue to prioritize rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, so that we can deliver the efficiency and effectiveness in government that Nebraskans demand, deserve, and model in their own lives. Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411 | Walz A Fair Tax System Property taxes and taxes in general are too high. I will responsibly look at ways to cut taxes while ensuring vital services remain strong and that we can balance our budget. That relief needs to be more targeted so it helps the working families, not just the state’s top earners. I have a proven track record of producing bipartisan plans to help all Nebraskans. Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia How would you manage the state budget while protecting services that support Nebraska families and communities? In the past three years, we have gone from a $1.2 billion surplus to a $656 million dollar deficit. During that time, costs of everything have gone up and property taxes are still too high. Families have already tightened their belts and government is failing them. While I agree that government should cut waste where it exists, these cuts go beyond that. Our state is cutting funds for survivors of domestic violence, veterans, people with disabilities, and more. We all want lower taxes. We also all need clean drinking water, the police to show up when you need them, and nice roads. The way to stabilize our budget and economy is to grow Nebraska by bringing in more business, creating more high paying jobs, and building our workforce. Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411 |
| Jobs, wages & cost of living | |
| Pillen How would you pitch Nebraska to a business looking to locate here? There's no place like Nebraska and no one can outcompete Nebraskans. Over the last three years, we've made major strides in attracting businesses to and investment in our state and in keeping born and bred Nebraskans here at home for the long-term. Our economy grew by 5% in the latter quarter of 2025 and through initiatives like our Grow the Good Life Incentive are rewarding companies for hiring top talent for good-paying jobs. Nebraska is blessed with tremendous natural resources and recently became #1 in ethanol and #1 in cattle. The sky is the limit for our business-friendly economic environment, and that means better affordability and increased standard of living for all of our people. Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411 | Walz Respecting the Will of the Voters Nebraskans have had their voices heard on key issues, like medical marijuana, paid sick leave, minimum wage, school vouchers, and more. When the voters speak, our job as representatives is to listen. Unfortunately, our current leadership believes their personal stances on specific issues supersedes Nebraskans. That’s wrong and disqualifying. Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia Grow Nebraska Nebraska has so much potential. We are in the center of the country and can be a hub for transportation, manufacturing, and so much more. I will provide tools to grow and support businesses and attract new businesses to our state. I will grow our rural communities by investing in broadband, agriculture, and small businesses on Main Street. I will create an environment that keeps our young people and families here. Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia |
| Farms & rural | |
| Pillen Describe your top three Nebraska values. Kids - Our kids are our future and they must be the center of our focus in government. As Governor, I've signed legislation protecting the unborn, banning sex changes for minors, and keeping boys out of girls' sports - we lead with common sense and are building a culture of life and love. Taxes - I believe in low taxes so that Nebraskans keep more of their hard-earned income. We're running government like a business and maximizing efficiency in our state agencies. Agriculture - Nebraska farmers and ranchers feed and fuel the world. As the first farmer Governor in over 100 years, I'm proud to advance policies that bolster our agriculture industry - from prohibiting foreign adversaries from buying land here to banning bioreactor-grown "meat." Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411 | WalzNo public position found |
| Elections, ethics & government | |
| Pillen What is your approach to balancing states’ rights and federal authority? I believe in state solutions and local control - especially when it comes to education. We were the first state in the nation to opt-in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, opening the door for Nebraskans to send their kids to the school that best fits them and helps unlock their potential. As Governor, I've also developed relationships and partnerships with President Trump and his team. It's made a real difference for Nebraska, from bringing over $200 million in federal funding for rural healthcare (the 8th highest in the country) as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program to meaningful relief in disaster aid after last year's destructive storms. Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411 | Walz Honesty & Transparency in Government Nebraskans deserve honest leaders who will tell people what they need to know, not just what they want to hear. I will fight for an honest, transparent government. It’s time to provide full transparency to Nebraskans and stop corruptive behaviors. Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia Protecting Freedom The government should be protecting our freedoms, not taking them away. I believe that our elected leaders should not be telling people how to live their lives, raise their children, or take care of their own health and well-being. My focus won’t be on policing our personal lives: instead, it’ll be to grow Nebraska’s economy. Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia |
| Other priorities | |
| PillenNo public position found | Walz Unifying Nebraska The things that bring us together are far stronger than what divides us. I believe in freedom, hard work, and personal responsibility. I want a better life for our families. I want low taxes, strong schools, and a bustling economy where we have opportunities to get ahead. I cannot let political elites and large tech and media companies continue to divide us. Nebraska can once again rise above the dysfunction. I am a … Campaign-website text via Ballotpedia |
How would you manage the state budget while protecting services that support Nebraska families and communities?
State auditor Mike Foley surfaced that corporations receiving million$ in tax incentives are no longer providing any jobs whatsoever in Nebraska. Sections 33, 37, and 66 of the ImagiNE Nebraska Act clearly state that if a corporation receiving tax credits is not fulfilling their requirements (jobs for Nebraskans), ALL of their current and previous tax incentives are due back to the state immediately. We will have Mike Foley run full audits on all corporations receiving incentives through the ImagiNE Nebraska Act to recapture funds owed to the state for failing to provide jobs to Nebraskans. I will implement a state run cannabis program that is estimated to make Nebraska upwards of $500,000,000 dollars annually in new state revenue.
What is your approach to balancing states’ rights and federal authority?
My platform centers on local autonomy, protecting voters' rights, ending federal overreach, and stopping special interest influence in our politics. But first, we have to end the corruption in Nebraska that's criminalizing massive economic opportunities that voters approved. Through state cannabis revenue and fairly taxing corporations we can ensure the means to have federal partnerships with matching funds that support local and state programs. We're entering an era where states increasingly have to solve their own problems, with or without federal assistance. We need to utilize all the powers granted to states while we solve the problems our federal government has left us...like a demolished cattle and agricultural market for example.
No public position found
The same nine Senate votes (or three House votes) are shown for every current member of Congress running, so records can be compared across races. Click a roll call for the official tally.
No congressional voting record for: Rick Beard, Brett Lindstrom, Jim Pillen, Lynne Walz. State legislative or local records are not yet compiled.