2024 Nebraska Legislature election explained

Election Name:2024 Nebraska Legislature election
Country:Nebraska
Type:legislative
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2022 Nebraska Legislature election
Previous Year:2022
Next Election:2026 Nebraska Legislature election
Next Year:2026
Seats For Election:25 of the 49 seats in the Nebraska Legislature
Majority Seats:25
Election Date:November 5, 2024
Color1:E81B23
Party1:Republican
Last Election1:32
Seats Before1:34
Image1: Rep
Color2:3333FF
Party2:Democratic
Last Election2:17
Seats Before2:14
Seats Needed2: 11
Party3:Independent Democrat
Last Election3:0
Seats Before3:1
Image3: Ind
Map Size:300px
Speaker
Before Election:John Arch
Before Party:Republican

The 2024 Nebraska State Legislature elections will take place as part of the biennial United States elections. Nebraska voters will elect state senators for the 25 odd-numbered seats of the 49 legislative districts in the Nebraska Unicameral. State senators serve four-year terms in the Nebraska Legislature. Note: All elections are technically non-partisan in the State Legislature; therefore, any parties listed are from candidates' websites and official party endorsement lists. Candidates all appear on the ballot as nonpartisan.

Overview

182416
RepublicanTo be electedIDemocratic
+ colspan=13 align=center
PartiesCandidatesVotesSeats
align=center align=center %align=center Beforealign=center Afteralign=center +/-
Republicanalign=right TBDalign=right align=right align=right 33align=right 34align=right 1
Democratalign=right TBDalign=right align=right align=right 15align=right 14align=right 1
Independent Democratalign=right 2align=right align=right align=right 1align=right 1align=right
Independentalign=right 1align=right align=right align=right 0align=right 0align=right
Libertarianalign=right 0align=right align=right align=right 0 align=right 0align=right
Greenalign=right 0align=right align=right align=right 0 align=right 0align=right
Write-insalign=right align=right align=right align=right 0align=right 0align=right
align=center colspan="2" Totalalign=center TBDalign=center align=center 100.00%align=center 49align=center 49align=center

Summary by district

In the 2020 Presidential Election, Republican Donald Trump received the most votes in 34 of Nebraska's legislative districts and Democrat Joe Biden received the most votes in 15 districts. Out of the 25 districts which have elections in 2024, there are three districts where Donald Trump won the most votes in 2020 that a Democrat currently represents: District 3, based in Sarpy County (Trump + 7%); District 15, based in Dodge County (Trump + 33%); and District 49, based in Sarpy County (Trump + 12%).

DistrictIncumbentCandidates[1]
Location[2] MemberPartyFirst
elected
Status
1data-sort-value=2019 2019 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
nowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Dennis Schaardt (Republican) 45.10%
  • Robert Hallstrom (Republican) 33.80%
  • Glenda Willnerd (Democratic) 16.49%
  • Bob Holman (Republican) 4.61%
  • General election:
  • Robert Hallstrom (Republican)
  • Dennis Schaardt (Republican)
32016Term-limitednowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Felix Ungerman (Republican) 53.06%
  • Victor Rountree (Democratic) 46.94%
  • General election:
  • Victor Rountree (Democratic)
  • Felix Ungerman (Republican)
52016Term-limitednowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Margo Juarez (Democratic) 37.68%
  • Gilbert Ayala (Republican) 35.95%
  • Flint Harkness (Democratic) 26.36%
  • General election:
  • Gilbert Ayala (Republican)
  • Margo Juarez (Democratic)
72016Term-limited
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
nowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Dunixi Guereca (Democratic) 34.02%
  • Tim Pendrell (Democratic) 24.56%
  • Ben Salazar (Independent) 22.31%
  • Christopher Geary (Democratic) 20.36%
  • General election:
  • Dunixi Guereca (Democratic)
  • Tim Pendrell (Democratic)
92020Incumbent runningnowrap
  • Primary election:
  • John Cavanaugh (Democratic) 70.09%
  • Julia Palzer (Republican) 29.91%[3]
  • General election:
  • John Cavanaugh (Democratic)
  • Julia Palzer (Republican)
112020Incumbent runningnowrap
132016Term-limitednowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Nick Batter (Independent) 37.94%
  • Ashlei Spivey (Democratic) 24.04%
  • Tracy Hightower-Henne (Democratic) 23.42%
  • Matthew Clough (Republican) 15.00%
  • General election:
  • Nick Batter (Independent)
  • Ashlei Spivey (Democratic)
152016Term-limited
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
nowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Dave Wordekemper (Republican) 43.76%
  • Roxie Kracl (Republican) 25.19%
  • Anthony Hanson (Republican) 18.92%
  • Scott Thomas (Republican) 6.21%
  • Peter Mayberry (Democratic) 5.92%
  • General election:
  • Dave Wordekemper (Republican)
  • Roxie Kracl (Republican)
172016Term-limited
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
nowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Mike Albrecht (Republican) 40.71%
  • Glen Meyer (Republican) 32.27%
  • Cindy Kai (Democratic) 27.02%
  • General election:
  • Mike Albrecht (Republican)
  • Glen Meyer (Republican)
19data-sort-value=2022 2022 Incumbent running
Republican hold.
nowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Jeanne Reigle (Republican) 38.88%
  • Rob Dover (Republican) 36.44%
  • Melissa Temple (Democratic) 24.68%
  • General election:
  • Jeanne Reigle (Republican)
  • Rob Dover (Republican)
21data-sort-value=2023 2023 Incumbent runningnowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Beau Ballard (Republican) 54.39%
  • Seth Derner (Democratic) 30.27%
  • Bryan Paseka (Democratic) 15.34%
  • General election:
  • Beau Ballard (Republican)
  • Seth Derner (Democratic)
232016Term-limited
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
nowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Jared Storm (Republican) 34.90%
  • Dennis Fujan (Republican) 24.60%
  • Allie French (Republican) 14.22%
  • Larissa Schultz (Democratic) 12.46%
  • Alan Zavodny (Republican) 7.86%
  • Jacob Wolff (Republican) 5.96%
  • General election:
  • Jared Storm (Republican)
  • Dennis Fujan (Republican)
25data-sort-value=2023 2023 Incumbent runningnowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Carolyn Bosn (Republican) 55.39%
  • Nicki Behmer Popp (Independent Democrat) 41.71%
  • Aurang Zeb (Democratic) 2.90%
  • General election:
  • Carolyn Bosn (Republican)
  • Nicki Behmer Popp (Independent Democrat)
272016Term-limitednowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Dawn Liphardt (Republican) 43.67%
  • Jason Prokop (Democratic) 56.33%[4]
  • General election:
  • Dawn Liphardt (Republican)
  • Jason Prokop (Democratic)
292020Incumbent re-elected
Democratic hold.
nowrap
31data-sort-value=2022 2022 Incumbent runningnowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Kathleen Kauth (Republican) 59.14%
  • Mary Ann Folchert (Democratic) 40.86%
  • General election:
  • Mary Ann Folchert (Democratic)
  • Kathleen Kauth (Republican)
332016Term-limitednowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Dan Lonowski (Republican) 39.94%
  • Michelle Smith (Democratic) 28.87%
  • Paul Hamelink (Republican) 18.33%
  • Joshua Frederick (Republican) 12.86%
  • General election:
  • Dan Lonowski (Republican)
  • Michelle Smith (Democratic)
352020Incumbent runningnowrap
372016Term-limited
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
nowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Stan Clouse (Republican) 57.77%
  • Lana Peister (Republican) 32.61%
  • Nathan Leach (Independent) 9.62%
  • General election:
  • Stan Clouse (Republican)
  • Lana Peister (Republican)
392016Term-limitednowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Tony Sorrentino (Republican) 51.90%
  • Allison Heimes (Independent Democrat) 48.90%
  • General election:
  • Allison Heimes (Independent Democrat)
  • Tony Sorrentino (Republican)
412023 Incumbent retiring[5]
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
nowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Dan McKeon (Republican) 45.19%
  • Ethan Clark (Republican) 39.21%
  • Nadine Bane (Republican) 15.60%
  • General election:
  • Dan McKeon (Republican)
  • Ethan Clark (Republican)
432016Term-limited
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
nowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Tanya Storer (Republican) 58.53%
  • Tony Tangwall (Republican) 41.47%
  • General election:
  • Tanya Storer (Republican)
  • Tony Tangwall (Republican)
452020Incumbent runningnowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Rita Sanders (Republican) 58.43%
  • Sarah Centineo (Democratic) 41.87%
  • General election:
  • Sarah Centineo (Democratic)
  • Rita Sanders (Republican)
472016Term-limitednowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Paul Strommen (Republican) 77.13%
  • Larry Bolinger (Democratic) 22.87%
  • General election:
  • Larry Bolinger (Democratic)
  • Paul Strommen (Republican)
492020Incumbent runningnowrap
  • Primary election:
  • Jen Day (Democratic) 42.87%
  • Bob Anderson (Republican) 34.67%
  • Caleb Muhs (Republican) 22.47%
  • General election:
  • Jen Day (Democratic)
  • Bob Anderson (Republican)

Retirements

Fifteen incumbents will not seek re-election.

Democrats

  1. District 3: Carol Blood is term-limited (running for U.S. Representative).[6]
  2. District 7: Tony Vargas is term-limited (running for U.S. Representative).[7]
  3. District 13: Justin Wayne is term-limited.
  4. District 15: Lynne Walz is term-limited.
  5. District 27: Anna Wishart is term-limited.

Republicans

  1. District 1: Julie Slama is retiring.
  2. District 5: Mike McDonnell is term-limited.
  3. District 17: Joni Albrecht is term-limited.
  4. District 23: Bruce Bostelman is term-limited.
  5. District 33: Steve Halloran is term-limited.
  6. District 37: John Lowe is term-limited.
  7. District 39: Lou Ann Linehan is term-limited.
  8. District 41: Fred Meyer is retiring.
  9. District 43: Tom Brewer is term-limited.
  10. District 47: Steve Erdman is term-limited.

Race by district

District 1

Declared

Withdrawn

Results

District 3

Declared

Results

District 5

Declared

Withdrawn

Results

District 7

Declared

Results

District 9

Declared

Results

District 11

Declared

Results

District 13

Declared

Results

District 15

Declared

Potentially Withdrawn

Results

District 17

Declared

Results

District 19

Declared

Results

District 21

Declared

Results

District 23

Declared

Results

District 25

Declared

Results

District 27

Declared

Results

District 29

Declared

Results

District 31

Declared

Results

District 33

Declared

Results

District 35

Declared

Results

District 37

Declared

Results

District 39

Declared

Results

District 41

Declared

Results

District 43

Declared

Results

District 45

Declared

Potentially Withdrawn

Results

District 47

Declared

Results

District 49

Declared

Results

Notes and References

  1. https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-state-legislature-primary-results-2024/60584282
  2. Web site: NE 2022 State Senate. Dave's Redistricting. July 11, 2023.
  3. News: Nebraska legislative races draw more candidates as 2024 approaches. Martha. Stoddard. Omaha World-Herald. November 16, 2023. December 1, 2023.
  4. Web site: Jason Prokop. Jason. Prokop. jasonprokop.com.
  5. News: Wendling. Zach. Pillen appoints Fred Meyer to replace Tom Briese in Nebraska Legislature. November 15, 2023. Nebraska Examiner. March 12, 2024. Meyer and Pillen have agreed the St. Paul resident will fill the final 13 months of Briese’s term, through 2024, but not run for election..
  6. News: Sanderford. Aaron. Nebraska State Sen. Carol Blood to run against Rep. Mike Flood for Congress. January 23, 2024. Nebraska Examiner. March 12, 2024.
  7. News: Jones. Vonn. Omaha State Senator Tony Vargas announces second bid for US Congress. July 5, 2023. KETV. March 12, 2024.
  8. Web site: 2024 Democratic Candidates . . February 21, 2024.
  9. News: Schaardt announces campaign for state Legislature. Dan. Swanson. New Channel Nebraska. February 20, 2024. February 21, 2024.
  10. Julie. Slama. SenatorSlama. 1740472407893385475. Grateful to be kicking off my 2024 cycle with a common-sense pledge for term limits in Congress!. December 28, 2023. December 28, 2023.
  11. News: State Sen. Slama decides against re-election bid at the last moment. Aaron. Sanderford. Nebraska Examiner. February 15, 2024. February 15, 2024.
  12. Web site: Victor Rountree for State Legislature. February 21, 2024.
  13. Web site: Felix Ungerman for Legislature. August 27, 2023.
  14. News: The District 5 legislature race between Mike McDonnell and Gilbert Ayala. KETV. Quanecia. Fraser. October 7, 2020. February 15, 2024.
  15. News: Former fire chief, relative newcomer in race for Neb. Legislature's District 5 seat. Alexandra. Stone. KETV. October 18, 2016. February 15, 2024.
  16. News: "We want success for all the students": Margo Juarez joins OPS Board of Education. Bridget. Fogarty. El Perico. April 6, 2022. January 5, 2024.
  17. Web site: Tim Benak for Legislature. August 26, 2023.
  18. News: Nebraska legislative races draw more candidates as 2024 approaches. Martha. Stoddard. Omaha World-Herald. November 16, 2023. December 1, 2023.
  19. Web site: January 17, 2024. January 12, 2024. Statewide Candidate List. Nebraska Secretary of State.
  20. Web site: Nebraska Unicameral Legislature 2024 Roster. 2024. Nebraska Legislature. 5. February 21, 2024.
  21. Web site: Ben Salazar. Humanities Nebraska. February 29, 2024.
  22. News: Ernie Chambers will seek return to Nebraska legislative seat heheld for 46 years. Chris. Dunker. Andrew. Wegley. February 27, 2024. February 27, 2024. Lincoln Journal Star.
  23. Web site: Nick Batter. February 19, 2024.
  24. Web site: Leader of state's largest agency leaves behind accomplishments, complaints. Lincoln Journal Star. JoAnne. Young. October 15, 2018. February 29, 2024.
  25. Web site: Tracy Hightower-Henne. August 26, 2023.
  26. News: 'I Be Black Girl' awarded funds for north Omaha birthing center. KETV. September 13, 2022. February 28, 2024.
  27. News: February 28, 2024 . March 25, 2022 . Tammy . Greunke . Fremont Tribune . Dodge County Republicans elect new county chair .
  28. News: Wordekemper announces bid for Legislative District 15. Jeff. Forward. February 21, 2024. Fremont Tribune. February 21, 2024.
  29. News: Rob Dover, Norfolk real estate developer/manager, is Nebraska’s newest state senator. Paul. Hammel. July 22, 2022. Nebraska Examiner. August 26, 2023. Dover will serve until January 2025, and the governor said Dover has pledged to run for election to the seat in 2024..
  30. News: College governor announces campaign for District 19 legislative seat. Nejla. Muminovic. Norfolk Daily News. December 2, 2023. December 4, 2023.
  31. News: Lower Elkhorn NRD welcomes new board member. Jon. Humphries. Norfolk Daily News. January 14, 2023. February 15, 2024.
  32. News: Newest Nebraska state senator very familiar with Lancaster County district. Paul. Hammel. December 22, 2022. Nebraska Examiner. August 26, 2023. Ballard ...will stand for election in two years..
  33. News: Lincoln business owner Seth Derner enters race for Legislative District 21 seat. Andrew. Wegley. Lincoln Journal Star. September 19, 2023. September 19, 2023.
  34. Web site: Allie French: Conservative Republican for District 23. August 26, 2023.
  35. News: 2 candidates announce bids for District 23 seat in Nebraska Legislature. Martha. Stoddard. Lincoln Journal Star. July 13, 2023. August 26, 2023.
  36. Web site: Dennis Fujan for Legislature. August 26, 2023.
  37. News: Larissa Schultz announces run for District 23 Legislative Seat. August 25, 2023. August 26, 2023. KTIC.
  38. News: Legislative candidate announces run. Now he needs to move into the district.. Paul. Hammel. July 12, 2023. August 26, 2023.
  39. Web site: Jacob Wolff Legislature. August 26, 2023.
  40. News: Former mayor of David City plans run for District 23 legislative seat. Chris. Dunker. July 17, 2023. August 26, 2023.
  41. News: Gov. Pillen announces Carolyn Bosn as new state senator, replacing Geist. KMTV News Now Omaha. April 6, 2023. August 26, 2023. Bosn will finish out the four-year term, which runs through the end of 2024, and said she would seek election to the seat next year..
  42. News: Lincoln Realtor, airport authority member, announces run for Nebraska Legislature. Andrew. Wedley. July 11, 2023. August 26, 2023. Lincoln Journal Star.
  43. News: Aurang Zeb. Shelly. Kulhanek. March 20, 2021. February 15, 2024. Lincoln Journal Star.
  44. News: Nebraska legislative races start heating up as more candidates file. Martha. Stoddard. Omaha World-Herald. February 13, 2024. February 15, 2024.
  45. Web site: Elect Mary Ann Folchert. August 26, 2023.
  46. News: Nebraska legislative candidates include former Westside teacher challenging controversial lawmaker. Martha. Stoddard. September 6, 2023. September 8, 2023. Omaha World-Herald.
  47. Web site: Frontpage - Kathleen Kauth. September 9, 2023.
  48. News: Four candidates vie to represent District 33 in the Neb. Legislature. Sara. Kirkley. Nebraska TV. December 13, 2023. February 2, 2024.
  49. Web site: Joshua Frederick for Legislature District 33. February 2, 2024.
  50. Web site: Conservative Republican Paul Hamelink for Legislative District 33. February 2, 2024.
  51. Web site: Lonowski for Legislature. February 2, 2024.
  52. Web site: Michelle Smith for Legislature. August 26, 2023.
  53. News: Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse will run for Legislature. Mike. Konz. August 29, 2023. Kearney Hub. September 1, 2023.
  54. News: Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse announces run for Legislature. Brian. Neben. August 29, 2023. September 1, 2023.
  55. Nathan. Leach. N4thanLeach. 1762273743139745950. I put in the paperwork today to be a candidate for the Nebraska Legislature’s 37th District (encompassing Kearney, Gibbon and Shelton). Working on the issue for more than 7yrs, I am uniquely positioned to fight tooth and nail to keep the #neleg #nonpartisan. 1/2 #unicam. February 26, 2024. February 27, 2024.
  56. Web site: Nathan Leach. February 27, 2024.
  57. News: Peister wants Lowe's seat when he terms out. Mike. Konz. June 14, 2023. September 1, 2023. Kearney Hub.
  58. Web site: Lana Peister for Legislature. September 1, 2023.
  59. Web site: Allison Heimes for Legislature. August 26, 2023.
  60. Web site: Tony Sorrentino for Legislature. January 25, 2024.
  61. News: Scotia woman running for Nebraska Legislature. Jeff. Bahr. July 23, 2023. Grand Island Independent. September 2, 2023.
  62. Web site: About "Husker Dan". https://web.archive.org/web/20240117180638/https://thedanmckeon.com/. dead. 17 January 2024.
  63. News: Tanya Storer announces run for state legislature. New Channel Nebraska. January 21, 2024. January 27, 2024.
  64. News: Tanya Storer files for Legislative District 43 against Tom Brewer. KVSH Radio. February 10, 2020. January 27, 2024.
  65. Web site: Dawes County. Nebraska GOP. January 27, 2024.
  66. News: Nebraska Sen. Rita Sanders announces reelection bid. December 11, 2023. December 14, 2023. 6 News WOWT.
  67. Web site: 2024 Democratic Candidates. Nebraska Democratic Party. https://web.archive.org/web/20230827001318/https://nebraskademocrats.org/2024candidates/. August 27, 2023.
  68. Web site: Larry Bolinger for Legislature District 47. August 26, 2023.
  69. News: Sidney man files for Legislative District 47 seat. Scottsbluff Star-Herald. January 5, 2024. January 5, 2024.
  70. News: Candidates start emerging for 2024 Nebraska legislative races. Martha. Stoddard. Omaha World-Herald. June 11, 2023. August 26, 2023.
  71. Web site: Jen Day Legislature. August 26, 2023.
  72. News: More candidates launch bids for the Nebraska Legislature. Martha. Stoddard. Omaha World-Herald. December 13, 2023. January 25, 2024.
  73. Web site: Caleb Muhs for Legislature. January 25, 2024.