Mayoral election in Omaha, Nebraska (2021)

Nebraska 2021 elections

* * *

Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • Recalls • How to run for office |

|
|

* Related content:
* Nebraska
* Omaha, Nebraska
* Nebraska elections, 2021
* Public policy in Nebraska
* Influencers in Nebraska
* Local elections
* Municipal governments
* Local courts
* School boards
* Local ballot measures
* Recalls
* State elections
* State executives
* State legislatures
* State courts
* State ballot measures
* Federal elections
* Presidential Elections
* U.S. Congress

<- 2017

2021 Omaha elections

Election dates
Filing deadline: March 5, 2021
Primary election: April 6, 2021
General election: May 11, 2021
Election stats
Offices up: Mayor
Total seats up: 1 (click here for other city elections)
Election type: Nonpartisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2021

Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, Alabama (Mayor)Montgomery, AlabamaAnchorage, AlaskaTucson, ArizonaRiverside, CaliforniaOrange County, CaliforniaAurora, ColoradoColorado Springs, ColoradoDover, DelawareJacksonville, FloridaMiami, FloridaMiami, Florida (Mayor)Hialeah, FloridaHialeah, Florida (Mayor)Orlando, FloridaSt. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg, Florida (Mayor)Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia (Mayor)Boise, IdahoWichita, KansasBaton Rouge, LouisianaNew Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana (Mayor)Augusta, MaineAugusta, Maine (Mayor)Boston, MassachusettsBoston, Massachusetts (Mayor)Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan (Mayor)Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota (Mayor)St. Paul, Minnesota (Mayor)Jackson, MississippiJackson, Mississippi (Mayor)St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri (Mayor)Helena, MontanaHelena, Montana (Mayor)Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska (Mayor)Lincoln, NebraskaJersey City, New JerseyJersey City, New Jersey (Mayor)Essex County, New JerseyHudson County, New JerseyAlbuquerque, New MexicoAlbuquerque, New Mexico (Mayor)Santa Fe, New MexicoSanta Fe, New Mexico (Mayor)Bernalillo County, New MexicoNew York, New YorkNew York, New York (Mayor)Albany, New YorkAlbany, New York (Mayor)Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York (Mayor)Bronx County, New YorkErie County, New YorkKings County, New YorkNew York County, New YorkQueens County, New YorkRichmond County, New YorkDurham, North CarolinaDurham, North Carolina (Mayor)Columbus, OhioCleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio (Mayor)Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio (Mayor)Toledo, OhioToledo, Ohio (Mayor)Franklin County, OhioOklahoma City, OklahomaTulsa County, OklahomaMultnomah County, OregonPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Mayor)Allegheny County, PennsylvaniaProvidence, Rhode IslandColumbia, South CarolinaColumbia, South Carolina (Mayor)Pierre, South DakotaArlington, TexasArlington, Texas (Mayor)Dallas, TexasFort Worth, TexasFort Worth, Texas (Mayor)Garland, TexasGarland, Texas (Mayor)Irving, TexasPlano, TexasPlano, Texas (Mayor)San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas (Mayor)Collin County, TexasEl Paso County, TexasHarris County, TexasTarrant County, TexasChesapeake, VirginiaNorfolk, VirginiaVirginia Beach, VirginiaRichmond, VirginiaSeattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington (Mayor)Clallam County, WashingtonKing County, WashingtonMadison, WisconsinMilwaukee, WisconsinDane County, WisconsinMilwaukee County, WisconsinSubmit

Incumbent Jean Stothert (R) won re-election to a third term after defeating RJ Neary (D) in the nonpartisan mayoral general election in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 11, 2021. Stothert received 64% of the vote to Neary's 35%, with write-in votes accounting for the remaining 1%.[1] Ballotpedia determined candidates' party affiliations through the Nebraska Voter Information Lookup.

Stothert received 57% of the vote in the April 6 primary followed by Neary with 16%. In total, all five Democratic candidates in the primary, Neary included, received 43% of the vote. In response to the results, the Omaha World-Herald's Reece Ristau and Paul Goodsell wrote, "[Neary will] have to put together a broad coalition of voters, including some who sat out the primary, to overcome a massive advantage held by Stothert."[2]

Stothert was first elected mayor in 2013 with 57% of the vote. She was re-elected in 2017 with 53% of the vote. Before running for mayor, Stothert was a member of the Omaha City Council from 2009 to 2013 and the Millard Board of Education from 1998 to 2009.

Neary was the chairman of Investors Realty, a commercial real estate company. He was chairman of the Omaha Planning Board and involved with organizations such as the Urban Land Institute and Omaha Habitat for Humanity.[3]

Stothert and Neary offerred differing ideas regarding Omaha's future. Stothert emphasized her experience as mayor and priorities of public safety and infrastructure improvements, adding, "I want to continue all the great partnerships with so many people and business owners and organizations that make this city so successful."[4] Neary emphasized his professional experience with long-term real estate and development planning. Neary called "Omaha a great city but one that struggles with racial inequities," adding that he "envisions a more equal Omaha, with more and better affordable housing, and a more sustainable transportation system."[5]

At the time of the election, Stothert had served as Omaha's mayor for eight years, making her the city's longest-serving Republican mayor since 1906 when Frank E. Moores (R) died in office after serving for nine years. Before Stothert's election in 2013, Democrats had controlled Omaha's mayorship from 2001 to 2013.

Omaha is located primarily in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. During the 2020 election, the 2nd Congressional District voted for Joe Biden (D) after voting for Republicans Mitt Romney (R) and Donald Trump (R) in 2012 and 2016, respectively. From 2012 to 2020, the presidential election margin in the district shifted 13.7 percentage points from Republicans to Democrats. Romney won by 7.1 points, which decreased to a 2.2-point victory for Trump. Biden won by 6.6 percentage points in 2020.[6]

Click on candidate names below to view their key messages:

Stothert |
Neary

This page focuses on the general election for mayor of Omaha. For more in-depth information on the top-two nonpartisan primary, see the following page:

* Mayoral election in Omaha, Nebraska (April 6, 2021 primary election)

This election is a battleground race. Other 2021 battlegrounds include:

* Comptroller election in New York, New York (June 22, 2021, Democratic primary)
* Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District special election, 2021 (March 20 primary election)
* Louisiana's 5th Congressional District special election, 2021

|

## Contents

* 1 Candidates and election results
* 2 Partisanship
* 2.1 Candidates by party affiliation
* 3 Candidate profiles
* 3.1 Jean Stothert
* 3.2 RJ Neary
* 4 Campaign finance
* 5 Noteworthy endorsements
* 6 Timeline
* 6.1 2021
* 6.1.1 May
* 6.1.2 April
* 7 Campaign ads
* 7.1 Stothert
* 7.2 RJ Neary
* 8 Debates and forums
* 8.1 May 6 debate
* 8.2 May 4 candidate forum
* 8.3 April 26 debate
* 8.4 April 22 debate
* 8.5 March 31 candidate forum
* 8.6 KMTV 3 News Now candidate profiles
* 9 Campaign themes
* 9.1 Jean Stothert
* 9.1.1 Campaign website
* 9.2 RJ Neary
* 9.2.1 Campaign website
* 9.2.2 Candidate Connections
* 10 What was at stake?
* 10.1 Report a story for this election
* 10.2 Candidate survey
* 11 Additional elections on the ballot
* 12 About the city
* 12.1 City government
* 12.2 Demographics
* 13 See also
* 14 External links
* 15 Footnotes

## Candidates and election results[edit]

General election

##### General election for Mayor of Omaha

Incumbent Jean Stothert defeated RJ Neary in the general election for Mayor of Omaha on May 11, 2021.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)  |

64.4

| 62,646

| RJ Neary (Nonpartisan) |

34.8

| 33,822
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.9

| 859

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 97,327

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

##### Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Omaha

The following candidates ran in the primary for Mayor of Omaha on April 6, 2021.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)  |

56.6

| 47,976
✔ |

| RJ Neary (Nonpartisan) |

15.5

| 13,166

| Jasmine Harris (Nonpartisan) |

14.2

| 12,002

| Kimara Snipes (Nonpartisan)  |

8.8

| 7,472

| Mark Gudgel (Nonpartisan)  |

4.8

| 4,087

| Jerome Wallace Sr. (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)  |

| 0
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.1

| 106

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 84,809

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

## Partisanship[edit]

Omaha has a Republican mayor. As of November 2021, 64 mayors in the largest 100 cities by population are affiliated with the Democratic Party, 25 are affiliated with the Republican Party, four are independents, and seven identify as nonpartisan or unaffiliated. While most mayoral elections in the 100 largest cities are nonpartisan, most officeholders are affiliated with a political party. Click here for a list of the 100 largest cities' mayors and their partisan affiliations.

### Candidates by party affiliation[edit]

Mayoral elections in Omaha are officially nonpartisan. Using publicly available voter information provided by the Nebraska Voter Information Lookup, Ballotpedia has identified the party affiliations for Omaha's mayoral candidates in 2021. The table below shows the party with which each candidate was registered at the time of the March 5, 2021, filing deadline.[7][8]

Partisan affiliation of Omaha mayoral general election candidates, 2021

Candidate  |  Party affiliation
Jean Stothert |  Republican
RJ Neary |  Democratic
Partisan affiliation of Omaha mayoral primary election candidates

Candidate  |  Party affiliation
Mark Gudgel |  Democratic
Jasmine Harris |  Democratic
Kimara Snipes |  Democratic
Jerome Wallace Sr. |  Democratic

## Candidate profiles[edit]

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[9] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.

###  Jean Stothert[edit]

Jean Stothert

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office:

* Mayor of Omaha (Assumed office: 2013)
* Omaha City Council (2009-2013)
* Millard Board of Education (1997-2009)

Biography: Stothert received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Seattle Pacific University. Before running for public office, Stothert worked as a critical care nurse, nursing manager, and head of the cardiovascular surgery department at St. Louis University. At the time of the election, Stothert was a member of the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency Board of Directors and the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

* * *

Key Messages

* * *

Stothert referenced her experience as mayor and defined the following issues as her priorities: "public safety, job growth and economic development, improving our roadways, managing the city budget, and improving taxpayer experience when interacting with city government."

* * *

Stothert highlighted projects that began during her tenure, saying, "Omaha Together is how we will push ahead on the many initiatives that we've started that must be completed successfully." She referenced the pothole repair bond issue, the addition of 100 new police officers, and ongoing large business developments.

* * *

Stothert mentioned her role during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, "We have got the City of Omaha through all of that and we have fared much better than most cities." Stothert said she negotiated with state and county governments to address budget issues without significantly cutting city services.

* * *

Sources: Facebook, "Jean Stothert for Mayor," Nov. 18, 2020, Facebook, "Jean Stothert for Mayor," Jan. 7, 2021; LinkedIn, "Jean Stothert," accessed March 16, 2021, Jean Stothert's campaign website, "About Mayor Jean Stothert," accessed March 16, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Omaha in 2021

###  RJ Neary[edit]

RJ Neary

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "Omaha is a city rooted in strong family values, hard work, and candor. Prior to moving to Omaha at age ten, RJ lived in Armstong Iowa on a farm with his five siblings. RJ learned the importance of these values quickly through his chores on the farm, his paperboy route in Dundee, and his own lawn mowing service throughout high school. He then graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and shortly after, opened his own bar in Omaha, continuing his journey of entrepreneurship. RJ started at Investors Realty in 1987 and is still there over 30 years later. RJ attributes his success to his dedication, honesty, and the team of good people that support him. He has been happily married to his wife, Liz, since 1985. Together they have two children, Nell and Nora, as well as two dogs, Sailor and Cade. In his spare time, RJ is an avid biker and traveler."

* * *

Key Messages

The messages below are the candidate’s own.

* * *

Omaha is a great city but it struggles with racial inequity. Racial inequities have been embedded in housing and the economy long before COVID-19, although COVID has made the situation even more challenging. Redlining, racialized zoning, segregation, predatory lending and exclusions in federal programs are examples of public policies that have produced the racial disparities that permeate housing and economic policy today. Omaha can do better and I am committed to meaningful racial equity as your next mayor.

* * *

Addressing the changing climate should be a priority for Omaha. The United Nations estimates that nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. It is imperative that we leave Omaha and all our cities better for the next generation. A healthier community and a city working toward a sustainable future will also help retain and attract young families and young workers.

* * *

The Coronavirus pandemic demonstrated even more clearly the direct relationship between economic and public health in Omaha. Just over half of Americans polled in September 2020 by the Pew Research Center reported that they expect their lives will still be changed in major ways after the pandemic. We need a plan that includes future stimulus packages and funding and we need Greater Omaha Chamber and city-led partnerships between Omaha financial institutions and small business owners. This targeted reset plan does just that and will ensure that Omaha’s economy bounces back faster, stronger, fairer, and healthier.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Omaha in 2021

## Campaign finance[edit]

## Noteworthy endorsements[edit]

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes links to endorsement lists published on campaign websites, if available. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.

Click the links below to see endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites, if available.

* RJ Neary

Noteworthy endorsements

Endorsement  |  Stothert |  Neary
Newspapers and editorials
Omaha World-Herald[10] |  ✔  |
Elected officials
Douglas County Commissioner Mike Boyle (D)[11][12] |  |  ✔
Individuals
Frmr. Gov. Dave Heineman (R)[13] |  ✔  |
Frmr. Mayor Mike Fahey (D)[12] |  |  ✔
Frmr. Mayor Jim Suttle (D)[12] |  |  ✔
Investor Warren Buffett[14] |  ✔  |
Omaha Federation of Labor President Emeritus Terry Moore[15] |  ✔[16] |
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer[17] |  ✔  |
Organizations
Fraternal Order of Police[18] |  ✔  |
Nebraska Chapter Sierra Club[19] |  |  ✔
Omaha City Employees Local 251[15] |  ✔  |
Omaha Federation of Labor[20][21] |  |  ✔
Omaha Police Officer's Association[22] |  ✔  |

Click here to see a list of endorsements in the April 6 top-two primary|

|

|  |  Top-two primary endorsements

Endorsement  |  Stothert |  Harris |  Neary |  Snipes
Elected officials
State Sen. Megan Hunt (D)[23] |  |  ✔  |  |
State Sen. Steve Lathrop (D)[12] |  |  |  ✔  |
City Councilman Ben Gray (D)[24] |  |  |  ✔  |
City Councilman Chris Jerram (D)[24] |  |  |  ✔  |
City Councilman Vinny Palermo (D)[12] |  |  |  ✔  |
Douglas County Commissioner Mike Boyle (D)[25][12] |  |  |  ✔  |
Douglas County Attorney Donald Kleine (R)[18] |  ✔  |  |  |
Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr. (D)[12] |  |  |  ✔  |
Individuals
Frmr. U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey (D)[12] |  |  |  ✔  |
Frmr. U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson (D)[26] |  |  |  |  ✔
Frmr. U.S. Rep. John Cavanaugh (D)[12] |  |  |  ✔  |
Frmr. Mayor Mike Fahey (D)[12] |  |  |  ✔  |
Frmr. Mayor Jim Suttle (D)[12] |  |  |  ✔  |
Ann Ashford (D)[27][26] |  |  |  |  ✔
Kara Eastman (D)[28][26] |  |  |  |  ✔
Omaha Federation of Labor President Emeritus Terry Moore[29] |  |  ✔  |  |
Alisha Shelton (D)[30][31] |  |  ✔  |  |
Organizations
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Local 388[32] |  |  |  ✔  |
Fraternal Order of Police[18] |  ✔  |  |  |
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 22[32] |  |  |  ✔  |
Nebraska Alliance for Retired Americans[33] |  |  |  ✔  |
Nebraska Chapter Sierra Club[19] |  |  |  ✔  |
Nebraska Unity PAC[34] |  |  ✔  |  |
Omaha Federation of Labor[35] |  |  |  ✔  |
Omaha Police Officer's Association[22] |  ✔  |  |  |
Run for Something[36] |  |  ✔  |  |
Women Who Run Nebraska[37] |  |  ✔[38] |  |  ✔[39]

## Timeline[edit]

### 2021[edit]

* May 2021 (click to collapse)

#### May[edit]

* May 6, 2021: Neary and Stothert participated in a debate hosted by NewsRadio 1110 KFAB.[40]
* May 4, 2021: Neary and Stothert participated in a candidate forum hosted by Omaha by Design.[41]
* May 1, 2021: The Omaha Federation of Labor (OFL) endorsed Neary. The OFL also endorsed Neary during the mayoral primary.[21]

* April 2021 (click to expand)

#### April[edit]

* April 28, 2021: The Omaha City Employees Local 251 and Omaha Federation of Labor President Emeritus Terry Moore endorsed Stothert.[15] Moore previously endorsed Kimara Snipes (D) in the mayoral primary.
* April 26, 2021: Neary and Stothert participated in a debate hosted by KMTV 3 News Now.[42]
* April 25, 2021: The Omaha World-Herald endorsed Stothert.[10]
* April 22, 2021: Neary and Stothert participated in a debate hosted by WOWT 6 News.[43]
* April 16, 2021: Investor Warren Buffett endorsed Stothert.[14]
* April 14, 2021: Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer endorsed Stothert.[17]
* April 6, 2021: Stothert and Neary advanced from the primary election as the top two vote-getters. Stothert received 57% of the vote followed by Neary with 16%. Four other Democratic candidates participated in the primary.

## Campaign ads[edit]

This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.

###  Stothert[edit]

"Our Mayor" - Stothert campaign ad, released March 17, 2021[44]

* "Future" - Stothert campaign ad, released April 28, 2021
* "Public Safety" - Stothert campaign ad, released April 28, 2021
* "Town Hall" - Stothert campaign ad, released April 14, 2021
* "Tony's Recovery" - Stothert campaign ad, released April 5, 2021
* "Tough Calls" - Stothert campaign ad, released March 29, 2021

###  RJ Neary[edit]

"Path Forward" - Neary campaign ad, released March 4, 2021[45]

## Debates and forums[edit]

### May 6 debate[edit]

On May 6, 2021, Neary and Stothert participated in a debate hosted by NewsRadio 1110 KFAB.[40]

### May 4 candidate forum[edit]

On May 4, 2021, Neary and Stothert participated in a candidate forum hosted by Omaha by Design.[41]

### April 26 debate[edit]

On April 26, 2021, Neary and Stothert participated in a debate hosted by KMTV 3 News Now.[42]

Click on the link below to view a summary of the forum:

* KMTV 3 News Now

### April 22 debate[edit]

On April 22, 2021, Neary and Stothert participated in a debate hosted by WOWT 6 News at the Omaha Press Club.[43]

Click on the link below to view a summary of the forum:

* WOWT 6 News

### March 31 candidate forum[edit]

On March 31, 2021, Neary and Stothert participated in a candidate forum hosted by Big Mama's Kitchen and Black Men United.[46] This forum took place before the April 6, 2021, primary and also featured the following primary candidates: Mark Gudgel (D), Jasmine Harris (D), and Kimara Snipes (D).

Click on the link below to view a summary of the forum:

* KMTV 3 News Now

### KMTV 3 News Now candidate profiles[edit]

Beginning March 24, 2021, KMTV 3 News Now began publishing profiles of the mayoral candidates, including Neary and Stothert, shown below:[47]

"Omaha mayoral candidate profile: RJ Neary," released March 31, 2021
Link to article[48]

"Omaha mayoral candidate profile: Jean Stothert," released April 2, 2021
Link to article[49]

## Campaign themes[edit]

See also: Campaign themes

###  Jean Stothert[edit]

#### Campaign website[edit]

Stothert's campaign website stated the following:

“  |

You’ve made clear what’s important to you. We have learned so much after hundreds of neighborhood and community meetings, and our Town Hall listening meetings.

These issues will always be our focus. Here is some of what we’ve accomplished together, and where we are headed next.

COVID Response and Recovery
While our city has weathered the pandemic better than most, we still have much work to do. My 2021 Priority List for COVID Recovery provides a framework to get us there. The best part? Most of this work is already underway.

My 10-Point Pandemic Recovery 2021 Priorities

My priorities for COVID recovery include advocacy and support for vaccine distribution and an extended mask ordinance. As a former critical care nurse, I know how important the vaccine is and I look forward to getting the shots when it’s my turn. Additional priorities include support for job training and work transition efforts, as well as significant financial assistance for those with housing insecurity.

I will also continue working with the Mayor’s COVID Advisory Board, which has been operational since March 2020. This group of community leaders and health experts has provided pivotal guidance in decision-making and best practices for all of Omaha. Our 2021 priorities include youth services, small business support, mental health and health equity.

We have already used various funding sources for rent and mortgage assistance, food distribution, mental health services and emergency shelter for people impacted by COVID. We will continue aligning resources with needs as we move into the closing stages of the pandemic. You can read and print copies of the checklist HERE.

What we’ve done so far

We activated our COVID Advisory Board in March 2020. Since then, we’ve worked closely with the Douglas County Health Department, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and many other local partners and leaders to make the best decisions for the safety and well-being of our residents and community.

From March until now, I’ve held over 25 news conferences with Douglas County Health Director Adi Pour to keep you informed about how COVID was impacting our community and steps we must all take to keep our community as safe as possible.

Our unemployment rate has dropped below 3.5% after jumping to over 9% last summer, but too many people are now underemployed or working multiple jobs to make ends meet. In 2021 and beyond, we will continue expanding support for job training programs and work transition efforts.

We know our restaurants and small businesses have been seriously damaged by the pandemic, and to provide some relief, we waived all late fees on the city restaurant tax from March through December, 2020. I was delighted when we were able to provide a gift to the Food Bank of over $105,000, money from swimming pool admission fees, made possible by private donor support.

Safer Neighborhoods and More Confidence in Public Safety
No issue is more important than the safety and security of everyone who calls Omaha home. The majority of our city general fund budget is dedicated to public safety, namely the police and fire departments.

Public Safety Budget Allocation

Percent of Omaha General Fund Budget Dedicated to Public Safety:

Omaha Police Department - 36.7%
Omaha Fire Department - 26.4%
Total \- 63.1

Increasing Safety

One of our initial goals was to add nearly 100 new police officers for a total of 902 budgeted officers. We have now met this important milestone and we’ve done it without increasing the city property tax rate.

We built and staffed a new police precinct in Elkhorn to improve response times and provide better service citywide. Our department leadership has worked hard to build community trust by working with neighborhood and volunteer groups. These partners are critical to our work in reducing crime and supporting our youth.

Together, We’ve Made Great Progress

* More highly trained police officers are on the job now than ever before
* Annual crime numbers for the most serious crimes (Part 1 offenses) are the lowest in a * decade, even as our city has grown.
* More crimes are being solved now than in the past.
* Police response times for 911 calls have improved and are now better than we’ve seen in over 10 years.
* Officer-involved shootings are the lowest on record

Going forward, our goal is to make a very good police department even better.

How We Will Increase Safety

* Further reducing the incidence of crime, especially violent crime,
* Expanding the department’s mental health co-responder program so more resources are directed at mental illness and its impact on illegal behavior.
* Providing the best equipment possible, like body-worn cameras, so officers can do their job effectively and with greater transparency,
* Hiring a more diverse police force,
* Building stronger community/officer relationships, and,
* Providing citizens a better way to voice issues regarding law enforcement conduct.

In addition to Omaha’s 902 sworn police officers, our city has 663 committed employees in the fire department. These men and women dedicate themselves to public safety through lifesaving responsibilities like firefighting, training, education, and ambulance and emergency services.

Doubling Road Repair Work for Safer Driving and a Better City
Omaha’s decades-long frustration with potholes and rough roads, especially each spring when the freeze/thaw cycle damages roads quickly, required a bold initiative and the leadership to get it enacted.

Road Map to Better Streets

Voter approval of our “Road Map to Better Streets” plan in 2020 has provided funds for the start of new and significant road repair work that will continue for many years to come.

We had to move away from temporary road patching and commit to a long-term, comprehensive plan to dedicate more resources to finally fix the roads we all drive on each day.

Our plan was developed after extensive public input and community meetings. We knew Omaha taxpayers had to be partners in the solution from day one.

Working together, we proposed one of the most significant financial and community improvement initiatives in history. Omaha voters overwhelmingly approved our new roads program and a future levy increase to pay for it.

Our Focus for the Years Ahead

Here is what we are focused on in the years ahead:

* Managing city finances well so we can postpone the voter-approved levy increase for street repair as long as possible,
* Doubling the amount of road repair work done in Omaha each and every year,
* Requiring reliable and competitive bids so more road repairs and resurfacing can be accomplished with the funding available,
* Providing $6 million in new funding each year to address Omaha’s “unimproved streets”. These are streets that were not initially built to current city standards by subdivision developers,
* Eliminating government regulations that slow down road repair projects, and,
* Ensuring faster approvals and more funding for unimproved street repairs in high poverty areas.

All of the long overdue work on our roads will require our patience and it will take some time to feel like we are really catching up.

This new program will require daily management and oversight to get the work done right. I am proud to have proposed this successful initiative and I would be even more proud to manage it for Omaha for the next four years!

Job Growth & Economic Development
While most of the economic news focuses on the many large and important development projects currently underway in our city, I am just as excited about the small businesses that are hiring, relocating, and growing right here in Omaha.

Omaha Ranked #5 in the Country

A recent study ranked Omaha #5 in the country in their report “Best Cities for Young Professionals”. The work ethic, low unemployment, cost of living, exciting downtown, professional growth opportunities, and recreational and entertainment options in Omaha are hard to beat.

Welcoming Small Businesses

One of the best parts of being mayor is welcoming small businesses as they take on new employees, expand their business, or build an addition. Supporting entrepreneurs and witnessing their passion to compete in our free enterprise system is very exciting!

Workforce Bouncing Back After the Pandemic

Omaha has bounced back faster than most after a rough start nationally due to the pandemic. Employment and building projects have restarted quickly and I know 2021 will be a great year for our Omaha workforce.

How We Will Support Job Growth

Our work to support job growth and development will include:

* Providing high quality support and services to the many individuals and companies we work with, from issuing building permits to providing inspection services. In 2019 alone we issued building permits exceeding $1 billion in value,
* Meeting the commitments we have made to the many large scale construction projects that are underway in every part of our city. These include the redevelopment of Crossroads, the Blackstone District in midtown, the 500-acre Heartwood Preserve project west and south of 144th and West Dodge Road, Avenue One at 192nd and West Dodge Road, Millwork Commons, the Builder’s District, and Capitol District projects in our downtown core.
* Expanding support for job training programs and work transition efforts led by many of our local non-profit organizations.
* Promoting our business incentives, reducing government barriers and regulations that stifle business growth, and helping our business organizations recruit business and talent to Omaha, and,
* Enhancing the appeal of Omaha to young professionals who want an exciting urban setting that offers entertainment, retail services, social and recreation spaces, and low-cost transit options.

Tax Less and Manage the Money

My commitment to providing high quality city services to taxpayers – while keeping taxes as low as possible – is clear.

Keeping the City Property Tax Rate as Low as Possible

There are two primary sources of city revenue, the city sales tax and the city’s portion of the local property tax.

The sales tax rate remains unchanged since I first became mayor and we have lowered the city property tax rate twice. While the city portion of your property tax is smaller than some other taxing entities (and some of them have increased their rates) we are doing all we can to run Omaha efficiently and keep rates at the lowest possible level.

We’ve grown the economy, expanded city boundaries, added to critical efforts like public safety, and started transportation initiatives and park improvements, all while experiencing minimal growth in the city budget and reducing the tax rate twice. That’s a record I’m proud of!

My Commitment for the Next Four Years

My commitment to you for the next four years includes:

* Preparing every city budget with transparency,
* Adhering to and exceeding the best financial practices for government entities,
* Reducing expenses when certain city functions can be merged, reduced, or eliminated.
* Keeping all tax rates as low as possible while still providing the responsive services you expect, and,
* Delaying, until absolutely required, the voter-approved levy change that is allowing our city to double road repairs every year.

The Omaha Image – A More Welcoming City
Over the last twenty years, Omaha has established a national reputation that should make us all proud. I know I am!

The reputation we have all worked hard to earn was built on the rich history and tradition of the hardworking and dedicated people before us. Over decades, these individuals and families laid the foundation for a great and growing city and they have earned our respect and thanks.

A More Engaging City

Today, Omaha is a more engaging city with an even brighter future. We are a leader in business, medical services, transportation, finance, insurance and amateur athletics.

I love meeting people who have just moved to Omaha and those individuals and families who have moved back after once leaving. Their impressions of Omaha are so positive and encouraging. We have all worked hard to make Omaha the best it can be.

My Focus for Growth

In the coming years, I’ll work hard with you to advance our growth and positive image. Here is what I believe we need to focus on:

* Becoming an even more welcoming city for all people and all lifestyles. Our younger workforce is especially focused on a more inclusive and open city that welcomes everyone, and where everyone feels at home.
* Translating our enormous success as a host city for sporting events, especially amateur athletics, into the #1 city in the country for our level of community support, well-managed events and happy teams and fans.
* Encouraging development in all areas of our city to expand employment, housing, and retail services in economically challenged areas of Omaha and in our many historically unique neighborhoods,
* Promoting Omaha’s special talents in business sectors where we excel, like our quickly growing reputation as a leader in technology.
* Hosting more regional and national conventions and events, an especially important goal as more travel is booked in 2021 after a pandemic-impacted 2020,
* Expanding entertainment and recreational opportunities, especially in our downtown. One of the projects underway is “The RiverFront” which will completely rebuild Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing, and now includes an impressive new science museum. Including the new science museum, this $400 million project – of which 90% is funded by private donations – will forever change our city. It will be our St. Louis Arch; our Chicago Millennium Park. It will start to open in 2022 and I can’t wait!

[50]

|  ”

|
|

—Jean Stothert's campaign website (2021)[51]

###  RJ Neary[edit]

#### Campaign website[edit]

Neary's campaign website stated the following:

“  |

RJ's Pathway to the Future
Omaha needs a leader with vision. A leader that looks to the future and prepares our great city for the next generation. I believe that I am that leader, and I ask for your support.

Under my leadership, I will make Omaha a city of the future. I will correct the city services, and make sure that we get the basics done right. I will improve our processes and bring new programs and initiatives that provide Omahans with the changes that they want to see in our city.

My Pathway to the Future will serve as what you can expect from me as the next mayor of Omaha. My Pathway includes my plans, my commitments and my promises for the future of Omaha.

My Pathway to the Future includes plans for:

COVID Reset Plan
The Coronavirus pandemic demonstrated even more clearly the direct relationship between economic and public health in Omaha.

Just over half of Americans polled in September 2020 by the Pew Research Center reported that they expect their lives will still be changed in major ways after the pandemic.

We need a plan that includes future stimulus packages and funding and we need Greater Omaha Chamber and city-led partnerships between Omaha financial institutions and small business owners. This targeted reset plan does just that and will ensure that Omaha’s economy bounces back faster, stronger, fairer, and healthier.

As mayor I will:

* Appoint a pandemic czar who will provide key metrics for Omaha’s COVID recovery and coordinate with UNMC, federal government, public health officials, academic institutions, employers, and other key stakeholders to provide all Omahan’s with access to resources for COVID-19 recovery

* Reallocate 5% of the restaurant tax into the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote Omaha attractions for 2 years up to $4,000,000.00

* Advocate from the mayor's office for any and all future stimulus funding to include cities of Omaha's size to the direct city funding criteria, and allocate the funds properly to local businesses and toward rent and utility relief programs

* Develop a small business recovery task force that will build a city-led partnership between Greater Omaha Chamber, Omaha financial institutions, and Omaha's commercial property landlords that will support the growth of local restaurants, start-ups theaters, mom and pop shops, etc., are not left behind and are able to thrive in 2021 and beyond

Climate and Sustainability Plan
Addressing the changing climate should be a priority for Omaha. The United Nations estimates that nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. It is imperative that we leave Omaha and all our cities better for the next generation. A healthier community and a city working toward a sustainable future will also help retain and attract young families and young workers.

As mayor I will:

* Implement a Climate Action Plan for Omaha in my first 12 months

* Appoint a Sustainability Officer to my cabinet

* Become a member of Climate Mayors - a bipartisan network of mayors showing climate leadership

* Join OPPD’s net-zero carbon goal for electricity generation and work with them to set goals for carbon reduction, responsible growth, and waste reduction by 2050

* Build a more sustainable transportation system and decrease the city's wasteful consumption

* Increase commercial recycling and access to recycling in all areas of the city, and increase the types of materials accepted

Equity Plan
Omaha is a great city but it struggles with racial inequity. Racial inequities have been embedded in housing and the economy long before COVID-19, although COVID has made the situation even more challenging. Redlining, racialized zoning, segregation, predatory lending and exclusions in federal programs are examples of public policies that have produced the racial disparities that permeate housing and economic policy today. Omaha can do better and I am committed to meaningful racial equity as your next mayor.

As mayor I will:

* Develop a 4 year plan to expand and correct city services so that they are equitable and accessible to all parts of Omaha

* Elevate the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Manager to a cabinet-level position: This will ensure all major decisions are made through the lens of equity and will help build a more diverse City Hall that reflects all of Omaha. Produce a report card on the city’s progress toward equity

* Directly address the impact of redlining in communities of color through targeted housing programs and incentives that provide a pathway to homeownership and rebuilds our struggling neighborhoods

* Commit to hosting bi-monthly “Community Conversations” throughout the city where the community can voice their concerns to the mayor

* Work to remedy inequities in public health through partnerships with Douglas County Health Department, UNMC, OneWorld, Charles Drew and others

Talent Retention Plan
The City of Omaha is a great place to live and to raise a family, with numerous amenities and a good quality of life. However, over the past eight years, Omaha has struggled to attract and retain young people, especially young professionals. While many mid-size cities have successfully drawn talent from bigger coastal cities, under the current mayor Omaha has unfortunately not kept pace with places like Milwaukee, Cleveland, or even Kansas City in the competition for the next generation. I am committed to reversing brain drain and will work tirelessly to improve our city so that it attracts and retains new talent.

As mayor I will:

* Offer grants of $5-10,000 to young individuals who relocate to Omaha from cities like Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles

* Empower and appoint younger people to boards that will shape the future of Omaha

* Invest in and promote multi-modal transportation, creative neighborhoods and opportunities for younger developers, businesses and creatives.

* Improve coordination with relevant players (business, academic, medicine, entrepreneur, tech) benefitting from the presence of talent in Omaha

* Identify and support key driving sectors for retaining/attracting talent, and report on metrics

* Mitigate/remove structural impediments/barriers to attracting talent

* Integrate these efforts with Cabinet-level Equity Officer to ensure growth of young professionals of color and LGBTQIA professionals in Omaha

Public Safey Plan
To create a city that is safe for everyone, we must have a focus on the root causes of crime and violence and provide community-based public health and youth development programs.

To rebuild the trust of all communities in our Police Department, we must have an open dialogue between our communities and our Police as well as reform and accountability. Omaha’s fire department needs to be fully staffed and needs the necessary equipment to keep response times low and provide the best care and protection during emergencies. And our police officers need additional training and resources to do their job most effectively.

As mayor I will:

* Increase evidence-based de-escalation and anti-bias training and incorporate it into the policy academy education

* Roll out a crisis intervention program that will send social services unit to assist emergency responders for non-violent 911 calls ​

* Increase support for P.A.C.E. programs and other community-building projects in Omaha

* Invest in trauma-based crime prevention resources for Omaha youth

City Services & Roads Plan
City services from trash pickup to snow removal to sidewalk repair should be distributed across Omaha equitably. You should always count on your trash getting picked up and your snow being removed effectively and efficiently.

The streets crisis has cost the city hundreds of millions of dollars, and an Omaha-World Herald analysis revealed more needs to be done. Only 125 miles of streets are resurfaced every year according to the OWH, half of what is needed. In 2015 the World Herald reported that roads were worsening. I will enforce more equitable cost-sharing solutions that are innovative, and does not increase tax burdens of the citizens of Omaha and fixes our streets for good.

As mayor I will:

* Build better streets by implementing cost-friendly solutions to fixing deteriorating roads that use sustainable and long lasting concrete to build better streets

* Increase traffic flow and critical infrastructure by reorienting the overall budget to divert wasteful spending into innovative technology

* Increase the number of recycling centers across Omaha

* Initiate a 4 year plan to repair and fill in gaps of sidewalks on a consistent basis to improve city walkability and to minimize the Omahans walking in streets

* Ensure city services are distributed equitably across Omaha

* Employ best available technology for snow removal to minimize disruption for businesses, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles

* Ensure that sustainability best practices are incorporated into all major roads projects moving forward

Neighborhoods
As Mayor I will:

* Create 1,600 additional affordable housing units in the first 4 years

* Empower neighborhood associations, for example changing the $250,000 neighborhood snow-watching contracts from engineers to One Omaha

* Initiate innovative city-led programs that provide incentives and second mortgages to spark interest in neighborhoods that need it and create homeownership opportunities

* Provision more available and entitled sites for workforce housing units

* Revitalize targeted communities with HILC (High Impact Low Cost) projects every year

* Create a partnership with Omaha Realtors for an initiative that will flag and provide attention to houses that are eligible for renovation and city-support

* Provide support to current programs that renovate existing housing stocks in order to keep elderly and low-income homeowners in their homes[50]

|  ”

|
|

—RJ Neary's campaign website (2021)[52]

#### Candidate Connections[edit]

#### Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

RJ Neary completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Neary's responses.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Omaha is a city rooted in strong family values, hard work, and candor. Prior to moving to Omaha at age ten, RJ lived in Armstong Iowa on a farm with his five siblings. RJ learned the importance of these values quickly through his chores on the farm, his paperboy route in Dundee, and his own lawn mowing service throughout high school. He then graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and shortly after, opened his own bar in Omaha, continuing his journey of entrepreneurship. RJ started at Investors Realty in 1987 and is still there over 30 years later. RJ attributes his success to his dedication, honesty, and the team of good people that support him. He has been happily married to his wife, Liz, since 1985. Together they have two children, Nell and Nora, as well as two dogs, Sailor and Cade. In his spare time, RJ is an avid biker and traveler.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

* Omaha is a great city but it struggles with racial inequity. Racial inequities have been embedded in housing and the economy long before COVID-19, although COVID has made the situation even more challenging. Redlining, racialized zoning, segregation, predatory lending and exclusions in federal programs are examples of public policies that have produced the racial disparities that permeate housing and economic policy today. Omaha can do better and I am committed to meaningful racial equity as your next mayor.

* Addressing the changing climate should be a priority for Omaha. The United Nations estimates that nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. It is imperative that we leave Omaha and all our cities better for the next generation. A healthier community and a city working toward a sustainable future will also help retain and attract young families and young workers.

* The Coronavirus pandemic demonstrated even more clearly the direct relationship between economic and public health in Omaha. Just over half of Americans polled in September 2020 by the Pew Research Center reported that they expect their lives will still be changed in major ways after the pandemic. We need a plan that includes future stimulus packages and funding and we need Greater Omaha Chamber and city-led partnerships between Omaha financial institutions and small business owners. This targeted reset plan does just that and will ensure that Omaha’s economy bounces back faster, stronger, fairer, and healthier.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

76% of those living in poverty live in poor quality housing or pay more than 30% of their income towards housing. Priority needs to be on reconnecting Omaha's neighborhoods and investing in and improving North and South Omaha that have been left behind. This plan will work to eliminate substandard housing, create affordable housing at a faster pace, rebuild neighborhoods that are blighted, measure neighborhoods before they dilapidated, and make sure that neighborhood associations in our diverse communities have more of a voice in proposals.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I am a big fan of Bobby Kennedy. He was inspiring and committed to bring all types of folks under the tent of the Democratic party. He was passionate about equity, justice, and opportunity.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

My favorite recent political book has been _Why We're Polarized_ by Ezra Klein.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I think its important for a mayor to NOT be a polarizing figure, one who settles scores instead of bringing people together. I think our next mayor must be someone who can work with diverse constituencies to solve problems and get things done.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a problem-solver who can bring people together to get things done.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

We need to focus on a prosperous, safe, and sustainable future for Omaha.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope to move the city of Omaha forward and make it more equitable for all residents.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember JFK's assassination like it was yesterday. I was 10 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I opened the Howard Street Tavern after I graduated from College, and ran that for four years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

A prayer book

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Imagine by John Lennon

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I always want to work harder to benefit our community.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

I see myself as a problem-solver. I don't like temporary fixes; my job as mayor will be to identify problems and put solutions into place immediately--working with key stakeholders--with a focus on equity and sustainability.

Mayors have many responsibilities, which vary from city to city. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your city?

I think our city needs a vision on key areas like equity/diversity, climate, public services and transportation. My job as mayor will be develop and promote a vision for those key areas and hire the right people to get it done, and then measure their success.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

N/A

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

I do see it as a partnership between the mayor and the city council. In Omaha, the mayor has a lot of power, but city council members bring a lot to the table in terms of diverse shared experiences.

What do you love most about your city?

I love Omaha because we have had strong neighborhoods. I want to be part of re-energizing our neighborhoods and reconnecting them.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

I think our big challenges are (1) economically recovering from COVID, especially restaurants and small businesses; (2) racial inequities; (3) streets; and (4) climate.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

Ideally, there's a partnership between Omaha, it's elected state legislators, and the governor in a way that benefits Omaha and its citizens.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

Hopefully, we can maximize the resources from federal government to benefit Omaha and its citizens.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I love Irish jokes

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

## What was at stake?[edit]

### Report a story for this election[edit]

Ballotpedia researches issues in local elections across the United States, but information availability is a challenge for us in many areas. Please contact us about the issues that impact your local election. Note that not all submissions may meet Ballotpedia's coverage requirements for inclusion.

### Candidate survey[edit]

Ballotpedia invites candidates to participate in its annual survey.
Click here to fill out the survey.

|

## Additional elections on the ballot[edit]

See also: Nebraska elections, 2021

What's on your ballot?

Click here to find out using My Vote

##### April 6, 2021

* City elections in Omaha, Nebraska (2021)
* Mayoral election in Omaha, Nebraska (2021)

##### May 11, 2021

* City elections in Omaha, Nebraska (2021)
* Mayoral election in Omaha, Nebraska (2021)

##### October 12, 2021

* Ralston Public Schools, Nebraska, Bond Issue and Property Tax (October 2021)
* Westside Community Schools, Nebraska, Property Tax Measure (October 2021)

## About the city[edit]

See also: Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha is a city in Douglas County, Nebraska. As of 2013, its population was 434,353.[53]

### City government[edit]

See also: Mayor-council government

The city of Omaha uses a strong mayor and city council system. In this form of municipal government, the city council serves as the city's primary legislative body while the mayor serves as the city's chief executive.[54]

### Demographics[edit]

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Demographic data for Omaha, Nebraska (2015)

| Omaha| Nebraska
Total population:| 440,034| 1,893,765
Land area (square miles):| 127| 76,824
Race and ethnicity[55]
White:| 76.8%| 88.1%
Black/African American:| 12.8%| 4.7%
Asian:| 3.1%| 2%
Native American:| 0.7%| 0.9%
Pacific Islander:| 0%| 0.1%
Two or more:| 2.9%| 2.2%
Hispanic/Latino:| 13.7%| 10%
Education
High school graduation rate:| 88%| 90.7%
College graduation rate:| 34.1%| 29.3%
Income
Median household income:| $49,896| $52,997
Persons below poverty level:| 16.7%| 14.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)

## See also[edit]

Omaha, Nebraska | Nebraska | Municipal government | Other local coverage

|
|
|

* 2017 Omaha mayoral election

* Omaha, Nebraska
* Cities in Nebraska
* Douglas County, Nebraska

* 2021 Nebraska elections
* Public policy in Nebraska
* Influencers in Nebraska
* Nebraska

* Top counties
* 100 largest cities
* Current mayors
* Current council officials

* 2021 municipal elections
* 2021 school board elections
* 2021 local ballot measure elections
* 2021 local judicial elections

## External links[edit]

* Search Google News for this topic
* City of Omaha

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Douglas County Election Commission, "Official Results," May 27, 2021
2. ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Stothert dominated Omaha's mayoral primary. Can Neary overcome the deficit?," April 22, 2021
3. ↑ RJ Neary's campaign website, "About RJ," accessed March 16, 2021
4. ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Jean Stothert says Omaha needs her experience, tenacity to continue building 'dynamic' city," April 25, 2021
5. ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "RJ Neary says his experience in business, civic life prepares him to lead Omaha forward," April 25, 2021
6. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," Nov. 19, 2020
7. ↑ Nebraska Voter Information Lookup, "Registration Information," accessed March 10, 2021
8. ↑ The Nebraska Voter Information Lookup requires a voter's first and last name and county of registration. Candidates' full names were gathered using Ballotpedia data and filing information. Omaha is located in Douglas County.
9. ↑ In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Omaha World-Herald, "Editorial: Stothert is an effective leader who deserves reelection," April 25, 2021
11. ↑ Boyle was also a former mayor of Omaha
12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `nearye`
13. ↑ Facebook, "Jean Stothert for Mayor," April 6, 2021
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Jean Stother's campaign website, "Warren Buffett Endorses Mayor Stothert," April 16, 2021
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Facebook, "Jean Stothert for Mayor," April 28, 2021
16. ↑ Moore endorsed Kimara Snipes (D) in the primary.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Jean Stothert's campaign website, "Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer makes rare endorsement," April 14, 2021
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 KETV, "Mayor Stothert receives endorsements from FOP, Douglas County Attorney, and former sheriff," April 1, 2021
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Facebook, "RJ Neary for Mayor," March 11, 2021
20. ↑ Facebook, "RJ Neary for Mayor," March 3, 2021
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 KETV, "Omaha Federation of Labor announces endorsement for mayor," May 1, 2021
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `opoa`
23. ↑ Jasmine Harris' campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed March 14, 2021
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Omaha World-Herald, "Former Rep. Cavanaugh, previous mayors endorse RJ Neary in Omaha mayor's race," Feb. 22, 2021
25. ↑ Boyle was also a former mayor of Omaha
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Omaha World-Herald, "Omaha mayoral candidate Kimara Snipes gets endorsements from four key Democrats," Feb. 5, 2021
27. ↑ Ashford ran for the U.S. House in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District's 2020 Democratic primary where she placed second with 31.2 percent of the vote.
28. ↑ Eastman was the Democratic nominee in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District's 2020 election. She lost to incumbent Don Bacon (R), receiving 46.2 percent of the vote.
29. ↑ Twitter, "Bobby Larsen," Feb. 17, 2021
30. ↑ Shelton ran for U.S. Senate in the 2020 Democratic primary where she placed third with 22.7 percent of the vote. The Nebraska Democratic Party later rescinded its endorsement of primary winner Chris Janicek (D) following allegations of sexual harrassment and endorsed Shelton to replace him on the ticket if he chose to withdraw from the race, which he did not.
31. ↑ Facebook, "Jasmine L. Harris for Mayor," March 17, 2021
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Facebook, "RJ Neary for Mayor," March 18, 2021
33. ↑ Facebook, "RJ Neary for Mayor," March 3, 2021
34. ↑ Facebook, "Jasmine L. Harris for Mayor," March 22, 2021
35. ↑ Facebook, "RJ Neary for Mayor," March 3, 2021
36. ↑ Facebook, "Jasmine L. Harris for Mayor," March 17, 2021
37. ↑ Women Who Run Nebraska, "Meet the Candidates," accessed March 22, 2021
38. ↑ Facebook, "Jasmine L. Harris for Mayor," March 18, 2021
39. ↑ Facebook, "Kimara Snipes," March 18, 2021
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Facebook, "NewsRadio 1110 KFAB," May 6, 2021
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Facebook, "Omaha by Design," May 4, 2021
42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Facebook, "KMTV 3 News Now," April 26, 2021
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Facebook, "WOWT 6 News," April 22, 2021
44. ↑ YouTube, "Our Mayor," March 17, 2021
45. ↑ YouTube, "RJ Neary: Path Forward," March 4, 2021
46. ↑ Facebook, "Hungry Club Mayoral Candidate Forum," March 31, 2021
47. ↑ YouTube, "KMTV 3 News Now," accessed March 29, 2021
48. ↑ KMTV 3 News Now, "Omaha mayoral candidate profile: RJ Neary," March 31, 2021
49. ↑ KMTV 3 News Now, "Omaha mayoral candidate profile: Jean Stothert," April 2, 2021
50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
51. ↑ Jean Stothert's campaign website, “Issues,” accessed March 14, 2021
52. ↑ RJ Neary's campaign website, “RJ's Pathway to the Future,” accessed March 14, 2021
53. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, State and County Quick Facts," accessed October 22, 2014
54. ↑ City of Omaha, "About our Government," accessed October 22, 2014
55. ↑ Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

v • e

2021 Municipal Elections

Local Elections|

Municipal Government • Local Courts • School Boards • Local Ballot Measures

Ballotpedia Coverage|

Federal Politics • State Politics • Local Politics • Public Policy • Influencers • Fact check • The Tap

v • e

State of Nebraska
Lincoln (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2021 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy