Democrats appear to make gains in Nebraska Legislature as vote counting continues
LINCOLN — Republicans' ability to push through contentious measures in the Nebraska Legislature appeared to be in the balance as votes were counted in 25 legislative races Tuesday night.
As of deadline, Democrats appeared to have a good chance of picking up a seat in Grand Island. That would be enough to frustrate GOP hopes of keeping hold of their current 33 seats, the number needed to end filibusters and pass measures such as switching back to a winner-take-all system for awarding electoral votes.
The Nebraska Legislature is nonpartisan, meaning that candidates appear on the ballot without a party designation and lawmakers serve without regard to party membership. In addition, political parties are not part of the legislative structure.
Douglas County
District 5 — Democrats picked up a seat as Margo Juarez, a Democrat, outpolled Gilbert Ayala, a frequent Republican candidate, in one of the lowest-spending legislative races. She will replace State Sen. Mike McDonnell, a term-limited Republican.
District 7 — Dunixi Guereca, executive director of Stand for Schools, won election over Tim Pendrell, a legislative committee clerk. Both men are Democrats, seeking to replace Sen. Tony Vargas, a term-limited Democrat.
District 9 — Incumbent Sen. John Cavanaugh, a Democrat, coasted to reelection against Republican Julia Palzer. Cavanaugh represents a midtown Omaha district.
District 11 — Sen. Terrell McKinney, a Democrat, won a second term representing North Omaha. He lost some votes to former Sen. Ernie Chambers, who ran neck and neck with him in the primary, withdrew from the race over the summer, then filed to run as a write-in candidate in an effort to encourage voter turnout.
District 13 — Nick Batter, a nonpartisan candidate, held a narrow lead over Ashlei Spivey, a Democrat, as of deadline. The two were competing to replace Sen. Justin Wayne, a term-limited Democrat, for the northeast Omaha and Douglas County district.
District 31 — Incumbent Sen. Kathleen Kauth, a Republican, outpolled Mary Ann Folchert, a Democrat, to win a full four-year term. Kauth was appointed to the Millard-area seat after Sen. Rich Pahls' death in 2022. She won election that year to finish out his term.
District 39 — Tony Sorrentino, a Republican business owner, had pulled in front of Allison Heimes, a nonpartisan attorney. The seat, which covers Elkhorn and southwestern Douglas County, is held by Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, a Republican who is term-limited.
Sarpy County
District 3 — Republicans had hoped to pick up the Bellevue-based district, but Democrat Victor Rountree was outpacing Republican Felix Ungerman as of deadline. The winner will replace Sen. Carol Blood, a Democrat who is term-limited.
District 45 — Sen. Rita Sanders, a Republican, appeared headed for reelection against Sarah Centineo, a Democrat. The district encompasses eastern Bellevue and part of Offutt Air Force Base.
District 49 — Incumbent Sen. Jen Day, a Democrat, looked likely to frustrate GOP hopes of flipping the district, which encompasses parts of Papillion, La Vista and rural Sarpy County. As of deadline, she had the edge over Bob Andersen, a Republican.
District 21 — Incumbent Republican Sen. Beau Ballard moved ahead of Democrat Seth Derner as of deadline. Ballard was making his first election bid after being appointed to the northwest Lincoln and Lancaster County seat when former Sen. Mike Hilgers was elected attorney general.
District 25 — Another Republican incumbent, Sen. Carolyn Bosn, had a narrow edge over Nicki Behmer Popp, a nonpartisan candidate. Bosn was named to the seat, representing southeast Lincoln and eastern Lancaster County, after former Sen. Suzanne Geist resigned to run for Lincoln mayor.
District 27 — Jason Prokop, a Democrat, claimed victory over Dawn Liphardt, a Republican, for the west Lincoln district. The winner will replace Sen. Anna Wishart, a term-limited Democrat.
District 29 — Sen. Eliot Bostar, a Democrat, won reelection in the only uncontested race of the year.
District 1 — Dennis Schaardt of Steinauer appeared to have outmatched Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse for the five-county southeast Nebraska district. The two Republicans sought to replace Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, a Republican who decided against seeking reelection.
District 15 — The GOP picked up a seat in this Fremont-based district, where both candidates to replace Sen. Lynne Walz, a Democrat, were Republicans. Roxie Kracl, a business executive, was locked in a tight race with Dave Wordekemper, a firefighter, as of deadline.
District 17 — Mike Albrecht of Thurston was trailing fellow Republican Glen Meyer of Pender, as of deadline, with one of four counties yet to report. Albrecht was seeking keep the northeast Nebraska district in the family. The incumbent is term-limited Sen. Joni Albrecht, also a Republican
District 19 — Robert Dover of Norfolk reversed the primary results and kept his Norfolk-based seat against Jeanne Reigle of Madison. Both are Republicans. Dover was making his first election bid after being appointed to replace former Sen. Mike Flood, who moved on to a congressional seat in 2022.
District 23 — Jared Storm of David City emerged on top in a Republican-vs-Republican battle with Dennis Fujan of Prague. The two were seeking a seat held by Sen. Bruce Bostelman, a term-limited Republican.
District 33 — Republican Dan Lonowski defeated Democrat Michelle Smith, both of Hastings, to claim the district representing Hastings and nearby counties. They were vying to replace Sen. Steve Halloran, a Republican.
District 35 — As of deadline, Democrat Dan Quick appeared on track to reverse the results of the 2020 election, when he was the incumbent and Sen. Ray Aguilar was the challenger. This time Aguilar, a Republican, is the incumbent holding the Grand Island-based seat.
District 37 — Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse claimed victory against Lana Peister, both Republicans, in a race for the Kearney-based district. The winner will replace Sen. John Lowe, a term-limited Republican.
District 41 — Ethan Clark of Ord had a lead over Daniel McKeon of Amherst to represent all or parts of eight central Nebraska counties, but with four counties yet to report. The two Republicans sought to replace Sen. Fred Meyer, a Republican appointed to replace Sen. Tom Briese, after he was tabbed as state treasurer.
District 43 — In the sprawling Sand Hills district, Tanya Storer of Whitman outpolled fellow Republican Tony Tangwall of Whitney. The winner will replace Sen. Tom Brewer, a term-limited Republican, who represents 11 northern and central counties.
District 47 — Paul Strommen, a Republican, handily bested Larry Bolinger, a Democrat, to represent nine Panhandle counties. He replaces Sen. Steve Erman, a term-limited Republican.
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