Lynne Walz Wins Nebraska Democratic Governor Primary, Challenging Jim Pillen After His 23-Point 2022 Victory
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 13
Lynne Walz Wins Nebraska Democratic Governor Primary, Challenging Jim Pillen After His 23-Point 2022 Victory
11 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 13
Lynne Walz, a former state legislator, won Nebraska’s Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday, setting up a general-election challenge to Republican Gov. Jim Pillen.
23 percentage points is the margin Pillen won by in 2022, underscoring the steep climb for Walz in a state where Democrats have not held the governorship since the 1990s.
Walz has tried to broaden her appeal beyond Omaha and Lincoln by stressing her farm upbringing, support for police, Lutheran faith and working-class background.
Pillen enters the race with Donald Trump’s endorsement and a record closely aligned with the president, though his first term also brought setbacks on Electoral College changes and scrutiny over a no-bid $2.5 million contract.
Nebraska Democrats still see openings this year, including a competitive Omaha-area House race and an independent Senate bid against Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts.
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