Nebraska Governor Election 2026: Live Results
The Nebraska Governor Election 2026 is on November 3, 2026. Lynne Walz (Democrat) faces Republican Jim Pillen (incumbent). The seat is currently held by Republicans. VoteTide rates the race Likely R. Prediction markets give Jim Pillen a 89% chance of winning. The average of the last 5 polls has Jim Pillen ahead by 5.2 points. The last polls in Nebraska close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
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Updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 14:53:26 GMT
Results
No votes have been reported yet. Polls close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Candidates
- Lynne Walz (Democrat)
- Jim Pillen (Republican, incumbent)
Odds
- Kalshi: Democrat 11%, Republican 89%
- Polymarket: Democrat 12%, Republican 89%
Rating: Likely R
Latest polls
| Pollster | Dates | Walz | Pillen |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouGov | October 26–29, 2026 | 47% | 50% |
| New York Times/Siena University | October 23–29, 2026 | 40% | 53% |
| Echelon Insights (R) | October 16–23, 2026 | 40% | 47% |
| Concord Public Opinion Partners (D) | October 15–18, 2026 | 43% | 40% |
| National Public Affairs (R) | October 15–18, 2026 | 41% | 47% |
| Global Strategy Group (D) | October 13–18, 2026 | 39% | 40% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | October 13–14, 2026 | 46% | 48% |
| National Public Affairs (R) | October 2–5, 2026 | 40% | 44% |
| YouGov | September 24 – October 3, 2026 | 43% | 44% |
| co/efficient (R) | September 28–30, 2026 | 38% | 43% |
What's at stake
For the country
- Governors don't vote in Congress, but they run elections, carry out federal programs like Medicaid, and often lead their party nationally.
- A Democratic win would be a flip from Republican control.
For Nebraska
- The governor signs or vetoes state laws, writes the state budget, runs state agencies, appoints officials and judges in many states, and in many states shapes how district maps are drawn.
- For Nebraska, the result decides whether the governor's party matches the legislature's, which shapes what can pass in the next four years.
- Jim Pillen is the incumbent. Incumbents bring seniority, name recognition and committee roles; challengers argue for a fresh start.
Lynne Walz
- Supporters say a Democratic governor would invest in public schools and expand health coverage.
- They argue for protecting abortion access at the state level and raising wages.
Jim Pillen
- Supporters say a Republican governor would cut state income taxes and limit state spending.
- They argue for school choice, public-safety funding and fewer business regulations.
Arguments are summarised at party level from each side's stated priorities, not quotes from the candidates.
Frequently asked questions
Who is running in the Nebraska Governor Election 2026?
Lynne Walz (D), Jim Pillen (R, incumbent).
Who is favored to win the Nebraska governor race?
Prediction markets give Jim Pillen a 89% chance. VoteTide's rating is Likely R.
When do polls close in Nebraska?
On November 3, 2026, the last polls in Nebraska close at 9 p.m. Eastern. The first results usually appear within an hour.
Where do these Nebraska results come from?
Vote counts come from official election sources as they are published (and from the AP when configured). Odds come from Kalshi and Polymarket, and polls from public polling tables. The page refreshes every minute.
Nebraska at a glance
- 2024 presidential result: Trump +20.5
- Electoral votes: 5
- U.S. House seats: 3