Nebraska primaries reshape Senate race as Democrat backs independent; mixed House results and governor nominations

In Nebraska’s May 12 primaries, Democrat Cindy Burbank won the Democratic Senate nomination but pledged to drop out and endorse populist independent Dan Osborn if she advances to the general, as Republicans seek to flip incumbent Pete Ricketts’ seat. Ricketts won the GOP Senate primary. In the House, District 1 and 3 favored GOP incumbents Mike Flood and Adrian Smith, while Democrats Chris Backemeyer and Becky Stille won their districts; District 2’s race was not yet called as Denise Powell led over John Cavanaugh. Gov. Jim Pillen won the Republican nomination for governor, and Democrat Lynne Walz won her party’s nomination. Nebraska’s split electoral vote system adds twists to the state’s 2026-tinged politics.