Incumbents weather challenges in Nebraska primary

By Andrew Rice
The Center Square

Voters in Nebraska elected incumbent candidates in races throughout the state on Tuesday.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts was nominated in the Republican primary, and he will likely face off against Dan Osborn, a labor leader and independent candidate, in November. Candidates also secured partisan victories in the race to fill Rep. Don Bacon’s seat and Gov. Jim Pillen advanced to the general election.

Here are some unofficial results from Nebraska.

U.S. Senate

Republican incumbent Ricketts held out against five primary challengers to keep the party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, according to multiple outlets. Ricketts was endorsed by President Donald Trump in April 2025.

Trump endorsed Ricketts and slammed Dan Osborn, an independent candidate who was not on the ballot Tuesday. Osborn has made waves saying that he will challenge Ricketts in the November general election.

“Pete is one of the strongest Senators in the Country on Border Security, whereas his potential Opponent, Dan Osborn, is a Radical Left Open Border Extremist, who will put our Country, and Safety, LAST,” Trump wrote on social media.

Cindy Burbank secured the Democratic nomination on Tuesday, despite announcing she would drop out of the race if she won the primary to make a pathway for Osborn in November’s general election. Osborn must gather enough signatures by July 2 to run in the general election.

According to the latest campaign filings, Osborn has raised more than $3.8 million. Ricketts has collected more than $4.8 million, according to campaign filings.

Tuesday’s primary results set up a unique challenge in November for Ricketts as he looks to defend his seat.

Governor

Incumbent Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen fended off four challengers for the GOP nomination on Tuesday night. He is set to face off against Democrat Lynne Walz in November, according to multiple outlets.

Pillen, a Trump-endorsed governor, has seen tough competition from Walz, who has criticized him for his immigration policies and financial integrity.

“Our elected leaders need to lead with honesty and integrity, not looking to line the pockets of themselves and their buddies,” Walz wrote.

Voters in the Cornhusker State will head to the polls again in November to select candidates who will represent them across the state and decide the partisan makeup of Congress.