Nebraska legislative races to watch for 2026 primary as fundraising exceeds $4.1 million
OMAHA — The 2026 elections for 25 Nebraska legislative seats could end up among the most expensive legislative races in state history, with Omaha-area races appearing likely to decide the partisan split in the officially nonpartisan Nebraska Unicameral.
Between Jan. 1, 2025, and April 27, across 61 legislative candidates, campaigns had already directly raised more than $4.1 million and spent $2.25 million. There is one more reporting period for the primary season: April 28 through June 16. Fundraising patterns usually show a large influx of funds raised and spent in that period. These reported totals do not include outside spending, such as from political action committees.
In 17 of the 25 races this year, candidates combined have already exceeded six figures in funds raised for a part-time position that pays $12,000 a year, and nine of those have already combined to spend at least six figures.
The Nebraska Legislature offers a tool for Nebraskans to identify their local state senator at https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php.
The most expensive race so far is in west Omaha and the Elkhorn area, a Legislative District 4 rematch between incumbent State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, a Republican, and Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek of Omaha, a nonpartisan progressive. The duo reported raising nearly $386,000 and spending almost $310,000 by the end of April.
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/11/nebraska-legislative-races-to-watch-for-2026-primary-as-fundraising-exceeds-4-1-million/