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Nebraska, Governor

Incumbent Pete Ricketts (R) defeated state Sen. Bob Krist (D) in the general election on November 6, 2018, for governor of Nebraska.

Ricketts was first elected in 2014 by a margin of 18 percentage points. Of the 10 preceding gubernatorial elections, a Republican candidate won seven—including Ricketts' victory in 2014—and a Democratic candidate won three. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) carried the state by a margin of 25 percentage points.

Ricketts' victory preserved the state's Republican trifecta. At the time of the election, Nebraska had been a Republican trifecta since Gov. Mike Johanns (R) took office in 1999. The winner of this election stood to influence the state's redistricting process following the 2020 census. Under Nebraska state law, the governor may veto congressional and state legislative district maps proposed by the state legislature.

Nebraska was one of 36 states that held an election for governor in 2018. Democrats gained seven previously Republican-held seats, and Republicans gained one previously independent-held seat. Heading into the 2018 elections, there were 16 Democratic governors, 33 Republican governors, and one independent governor. In 2018, 26 of the 33 states with a Republican governor held a gubernatorial election, while nine out of the 16 states with a Democratic governor held a gubernatorial election. Seventeen of the 36 seats up for election were open seats (four Democratic, 12 Republican, and one independent), meaning that the sitting governor was not seeking re-election.

Polls

If you are aware of polls conducted in this race, please email us.

Race ratings

The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage. Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Nebraska gubernatorial election, 2018

Race trackerRace ratings
November 5, 2018October 30, 2018October 23, 2018October 16, 2018
The Cook Political ReportSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe Republican

Election history

2014

In the 2014 gubernatorial election, Pete Ricketts (R) defeated Chuck Hassebrook (D).

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngPete Ricketts/Mike Foley 57.2% 308,751
Democratic Chuck Hassebrook/Jane Raybould 39.3% 211,905
Libertarian Mark G. Elworth Jr./Scott Zimmerman 3.5% 19,001
Total Votes 539,657
Election results via Nebraska Secretary of State

2010

On November 2, 2010, Dave Heineman won re-election to the office of Governor of Nebraska. He defeated Mike Meister in the general election.

Governor of Nebraska, 2010

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDave Heineman Incumbent 73.9% 360,645
Democratic Mike Meister 26.1% 127,343
Total Votes 487,988
Election results via Nebraska office of the Secretary of State.

2006

On November 7, 2006, Dave Heineman won election to the office of Governor of Nebraska. He defeated David Hahn, Barry Richards, and Mort Sullivan in the general election.

Governor of Nebraska, 2006

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDave Heineman 73.7% 430,578
Democratic David Hahn 24.1% 141,091
Nebraska Barry Richards 1.5% 8,953
Democratic Mort Sullivan 0.6% 3,782
Total Votes 584,404
Election results via Nebraska office of the Secretary of State.

2002

On November 5, 2002, Mike Johanns won re-election to the office of Governor of Nebraska. He defeated Stormy Dean and Paul Rosberg in the general election.

Governor of Nebraska, 2002

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMike Johanns Incumbent 68.4% 325,453
Democratic Stormy Dean 27.8% 132,348
Nebraska Paul Rosberg 3.8% 18,294
Total Votes 476,095
Election results via Nebraska office of the Secretary of State.

Demographics

Demographic data for Nebraska

NebraskaU.S.
Total population:1,893,765316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):76,8243,531,905
Gender
Female:50.3%50.8%
Race and ethnicity**
White:88.1%73.6%
Black/African American:4.7%12.6%
Asian:2%5.1%
Native American:0.9%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.1%0.2%
Two or more:2.2%3%
Hispanic/Latino:10%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:90.7%86.7%
College graduation rate:29.3%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$52,997$53,889
Persons below poverty level:14.6%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Nebraska.

As of July 2017, Nebraska had a population of approximately 1,920,000 people, with its three largest cities being Omaha (pop. est. 450,000), Lincoln (pop. est. 280,000), and Bellevue (pop. est. 54,000).