With the primary election now just shy of five weeks away, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen has certified the statewide ballot, and the candidates are in place. While there are not many contested races on the local level, there are a couple at the state and federal levels that could be interesting.

Republican Congressman Adrian Smith of Gering has served as the District 3 representative in the House of Representatives for 10 straight terms and is seeking his 11th this year. The United States House of Representatives does not have term limits. Representatives serve two-year terms and may be re-elected to office indefinitely, as federal law does not restrict the number of terms a person can serve in Congress.

Three contenders will be challenging Smith for the District 3 seat. They are Republican David P. Huebner of North Platte, Democrat Becky Kelly Stille of South Sioux City, and Legal Marijuana NOW candidate David J. Else of Overton. District 3 encompasses basically the entire state outside of the Omaha/Lincoln metro area.

Republican Pete Ricketts, former Governor of Nebraska, holds one of the two Senate seats after being appointed to that position in 2023 and elected in 2024.

Trying to unseat Ricketts will be Republicans Eric Mortimore of Kearney, Todd Knobel of Lincoln, Mac Stevens of Bushnell, and Debb Axtell Schultz of Grand Island. Also running against Ricketts areDemocrats William J. Fores of Paxton, and Cindy Burbank of Omaha; and Legal Marijuana NOW candidates Earl Starkey of Minatare, and Mike Marvin of Omaha. The Senate seat is a 6-year term.

Looking at races of interest at the state level, Gov. Jim Pillen of Columbus will be seeking his second term in office. Challenging Pillen to become the next Governor of Nebraska will be Republicans Sheila Korth-Focken of Long Pine, Gary Rogge of Auburn, Jacy Todd of York, Sal Holguin of Omaha, and John Walz of Hastings. Also throwing their hats in the ring for the seat are Democrats Lynne Walz and Larry Marvin, both of Fremont, and Legal Marijuana NOW candidate Rick Beard of Omaha and James Charvat III of Valley. The gubernatorial seat is a 4-year term.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen of Lincoln will also be looking to retain his seat in the 2026 election for a third term. Evnen will be challenged by Republicans Scott Petersen of Omaha, and Democrats Lee Cimfel of Lincoln and Sarah Slattery of Plattsmouth.

Nebraskans are served by 49 Senators in the State Legislature, the smallest legislature in the nation. Nebraska also has the distinction of being the only unicameral state in the country and is non-partisan. The Senate seats are 4-year terms, and elections rotate between odd-numbered and even-numbered districts. A constitutional amendment passed in 2000 limits senators to two consecutive terms.

However, a former senator is re-eligible for election after four years.

Dawson County is in District 44 and is currently represented by Theresa Ibach.

This is the year for even-numbered Senate elections; however, Ibach is running unopposed to retain her seat.

April 13 is the first day of early voting in Nebraska, and must be done in person at the county clerk’s office. The deadline to register to vote in the 2026 primary is May 1.