2018 Nebraska Legislature election

* * *

| ← 2016 | November 6, 2018
Officially nonpartisan | 2020 →

|
|

* * *

24 of the 49 seats in the Nebraska Legislature
25 seats needed for a majority
|   | Majority party  | Minority party  | Third party

|
|
|

Rep

Dem

Leader  | Jim Scheer | None  | Ernie Chambers
(de facto)
Party  | Republican | Democratic | Independent
Last election  | 32  | 15  | 1
Seats before  | 31  | 16  | 1
Seats won  | 30  | 18  | 1
Seat change  |  1  |  2  |

* * *

| Fourth party  |
|  |
Leader  | Laura Ebke
(de facto)  |
Party  | Libertarian |
Last election  | 0  |
Seats before  | 1  |
Seats won  | 0  |
Seat change  |  1  |

* * *

Results by gains and holds

Results by winning party vote share

Democratic gain      Republican gain
Democratic hold      Republican hold
50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%
50–60%      60–70%     70–80%      >90%

* * *

| Speaker before election

Jim Scheer
Republican

| Elected Speaker

Jim Scheer
Republican

|

Elections in Nebraska

Federal offices

|  Presidential elections

* 1868
* 1872
* 1876
* 1880
* 1884
* 1888
* 1892
* 1896
* 1900
* 1904
* 1908
* 1912
* 1916
* 1920
* 1924
* 1928
* 1932
* 1936
* 1940
* 1944
* 1948
* 1952
* 1956
* 1960
* 1964
* 1968
* 1972
* 1976
* 1980
* 1984
* 1988
* 1992
* 1996
* 2000
* 2004
* 2008
* 2012
* 2016
* 2020
* 2024

Presidential primaries

Democratic
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024

Republican
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
U.S. Senate elections

* 1867
* 1869
* 1870
* 1875
* 1877
* 1880
* 1883
* 1886
* 1888
* 1889
* 1893
* 1895
* 1899
* 1899 sp
* 1901
* 1901 sp
* 1905
* 1907
* 1911
* 1913
* 1916
* 1918
* 1922
* 1924
* 1928
* 1930
* 1934
* 1934 sp
* 1936
* 1940
* 1942
* 1946
* 1948
* 1952
* 1952 sp
* 1954
* 1954 Class 1 sp
* 1954 Class 2 sp
* 1958
* 1960
* 1964
* 1966
* 1970
* 1972
* 1976
* 1978
* 1982
* 1984
* 1988
* 1990
* 1994
* 1996
* 2000
* 2002
* 2006
* 2008
* 2012
* 2014
* 2018
* 2020
* 2024
* 2024 sp
* 2026

U.S. House of Representatives elections

* 1866
* 1868
* 1870
* 1872
* 1874
* 1876
* 1878
* 1880
* 1882
* 1884
* 1886
* 1888
* 1889
* 2nd sp
* 1890
* 1892
* 1894
* 1896
* 1898
* 1899
* 6th sp
* 1900
* 1902
* 1904
* 1905
* 1st sp
* 1906
* 1908
* 1910
* 1911
* 3rd sp
* 1912
* 1914
* 1916
* 1918
* 1920
* 1922
* 1st sp
* 6th sp
* 1924
* 1926
* 1928
* 1930
* 1932
* 1934
* 1936
* 1938
* 1940
* 1st sp
* 1942
* 1944
* 1946
* 1948
* 1950
* 1951
* 3rd sp
* 1952
* 1954
* 1956
* 1958
* 1960
* 1962
* 1964
* 1966
* 1968
* 1970
* 1972
* 1974
* 1976
* 1978
* 1980
* 1982
* 1984
* 1986
* 1988
* 1990
* 1992
* 1994
* 1996
* 1998
* 2000
* 2002
* 2004
* 2006
* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 1st sp
* 2024
* 2026

State government

|  State elections

* 2010
* 2012
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

Gubernatorial elections

* 1866
* 1868
* 1870
* 1872
* 1874
* 1876
* 1878
* 1880
* 1882
* 1884
* 1886
* 1888
* 1890
* 1892
* 1894
* 1896
* 1898
* 1900
* 1902
* 1904
* 1906
* 1908
* 1910
* 1912
* 1914
* 1916
* 1918
* 1920
* 1922
* 1924
* 1926
* 1928
* 1930
* 1932
* 1934
* 1936
* 1938
* 1940
* 1942
* 1944
* 1946
* 1948
* 1950
* 1952
* 1954
* 1956
* 1958
* 1960
* 1962
* 1964
* 1966
* 1970
* 1974
* 1978
* 1982
* 1986
* 1990
* 1994
* 1998
* 2002
* 2006
* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022
* 2026

Lieutenant Gubernatorial elections

* 1876
* 1878
* 1880
* 1882
* 1884
* 1886
* 1888
* 1890
* 1892
* 1894
* 1896
* 1898
* 1900
* 1902
* 1904
* 1906
* 1908
* 1910
* 1912
* 1914
* 1916
* 1918
* 1920
* 1922
* 1924
* 1926
* 1928
* 1930
* 1932
* 1934
* 1936
* 1938
* 1940
* 1942
* 1944
* 1946
* 1948
* 1950
* 1952
* 1954
* 1956
* 1958
* 1960
* 1962
* 1964
* 1966
* 1970

Secretary of State elections

* 2022

Attorney General elections

* 2022

State Treasurer elections

* 2022

State Legislature elections

* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

Ballot measures

|  2000

* Initiative 416

2008

* Initiative 424

2024

* Initiative 434
* Initiative 439

Bellevue

|  Mayoral elections

* 2022
* 2026

Grand Island

|  Mayoral elections

* 2022
* 2026

Lincoln

|  Mayoral elections

* 2007
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

Omaha

|  Mayoral elections

* 1997
* 2001
* 2005
* 2009
* 2011 (recall)
* 2013
* 2017
* 2021
* 2025

City council

* 2025

Government

* v
* t
* e

The 2018 Nebraska State Legislature elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Nebraska voters elected state senators[a] in the 24 even-numbered seats of the 49[b] legislative districts in the Nebraska Unicameral. Nebraska is unique among American states in that there is only one chamber in its state legislature, and this chamber is called the Unicameral and the State Legislature interchangeably. State senators serve four-year terms in the Nebraska Unicameral.

A top two primary election on May 15, 2018, determined which candidates would appear on the November 6 general election ballot. Each candidate technically runs as a non-partisan (i.e., no party preference).

Following the 2016 elections, Republicans maintained effective control of the Nebraska State Legislature with 32 seats. Democrats increased their numbers from 15 to 16 seats when State Senator Bob Krist of the 10th legislative district switched parties from Republican to Democrat.[1] Furthermore, Republican state senator Jim Smith resigned from office, leaving an open seat for Republicans to defend in the 14th legislative district.[2]

On election day 2018, the Unicameral consisted of 31 Republican seats,[c] 16 Democratic seats, and one seat each for Independent Sen. Ernie Chambers and Libertarian Sen. Laura Ebke. The Democrats gained a net two seats, while the Republicans lost net one and the chamber's lone Libertarian was defeated.

## Summary of results by district

[edit]

* Note: All Nebraska state legislative elections are technically non-partisan; therefore, parties listed here are from candidates' websites and official party endorsement lists. Candidates all appear on the ballot without party labels.
* Districts not shown were not up for election until 2020.

State Legislative district  | Incumbent | Party  | Elected Senator  | Party

|
|
|
|

2nd[3] | Robert Clements |  | Rep  | Robert Clements |  | Rep
4th[4] | Robert Hilkemann |  | Rep  | Robert Hilkemann |  | Rep
6th[5] | Theresa Thibodeau |  | Rep  | Machaela Cavanaugh |  | Dem
8th[6] | Burke Harr |  | Dem  | Megan Hunt |  | Dem
10th[7] | Bob Krist |  | Dem  | Wendy DeBoer |  | Dem
12th[8] | Merv Riepe |  | Rep  | Steve Lathrop |  | Dem
14th[9] | Vacant[2] |  | Rep  | John Arch |  | Rep
16th[10] | Lydia Brasch |  | Rep  | Ben Hansen |  | Rep
18th[11] | Brett Lindstrom |  | Rep  | Brett Lindstrom |  | Rep
20th[12] | John S. McCollister |  | Rep  | John S. McCollister |  | Rep
22nd[13] | Paul Schumacher |  | Rep  | Mike Moser |  | Rep
24th[14] | Mark Kolterman |  | Rep  | Mark Kolterman |  | Rep
26th[15] | Matt Hansen |  | Dem  | Matt Hansen |  | Dem
28th[16] | Patty Pansing Brooks |  | Dem  | Patty Pansing Brooks |  | Dem
30th[17] | Roy Baker |  | Rep  | Myron Dorn |  | Rep
32nd[18] | Laura Ebke |  | Lib  | Tom Brandt |  | Rep
34th[19] | Curt Friesen |  | Rep  | Curt Friesen |  | Rep
36th[20] | Matt Williams |  | Rep  | Matt Williams |  | Rep
38th[21] | John Kuehn |  | Rep  | Dave Murman |  | Rep
40th[22] | Tyson Larson |  | Rep  | Tim Gragert |  | Rep
42nd[23] | Mike Groene |  | Rep  | Mike Groene |  | Rep
44th[24] | Dan Hughes |  | Rep  | Dan Hughes |  | Rep
46th[25] | Adam Morfeld |  | Dem  | Adam Morfeld |  | Dem
48th[26] | John Stinner |  | Rep  | John Stinner |  | Rep

Sources:[27][28]

## Close races

[edit]

District  | Winner  | Party  | Margin

|
|
|

6  | Machaela Cavanaugh  | Democratic (flip)  | 1.9%
10  | Wendy DeBoer  | Democratic  | 0.64%
18  | Brett Lindstrom  | Republican  | 7.2%
30  | Myron Dorn  | Republican  | 5.96%

## Predictions

[edit]

Source  | Ranking  | As of

|
|

Governing[29] | Safe R  | October 8, 2018

## Detailed results

[edit]

District 2 • District 4 • District 6 • District 8 • District 10 • District 12 • District 14 • District 16 • District 18 • District 20 • District 22 • District 24 • District 26 • District 28 • District 30 • District 32 • District 34 • District 36 • District 38 • District 40 • District 42 • District 44 • District 46 • District 48

Sources:[30][31]

### District 2

[edit]

Nebraska's 2nd Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Robert Clements (incumbent)  | 2,867  | 47.81
Susan D. Lorence  | 2,252  | 37.55
James Bond  | 878  | 14.64
Total votes  | 5,997  | 100.0
General election
Robert Clements (incumbent)  | 7,965  | 56.96
Susan D. Lorence  | 6,019  | 43.04
Total votes  | 13,984  | 100.0

### District 4

[edit]

Nebraska's 4th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Bob Hilkemann (incumbent)  | 2,842  | 56.70
Shannon Coryell  | 2,170  | 43.30
Total votes  | 5,012  | 100.0
General election
Bob Hilkemann (incumbent)  | 8,964  | 60.95
Shannon Coryell  | 5,743  | 39.05
Total votes  | 14,707  | 100.0

### District 6

[edit]

Nebraska's 6th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent)  | 3,641  | 51.30
Machaela Cavanaugh  | 3,027  | 42.65
Ricky Fulton  | 429  | 6.04
Total votes  | 7,097  | 100.0
General election
Machaela Cavanaugh  | 7,733  | 50.95
Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent)  | 7,445  | 49.05
Total votes  | 15,178  | 100.0

### District 8

[edit]

Burke Harr (incumbent) was term-limited.

Nebraska's 8th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Megan Hunt  | 3,284  | 56.38
Mina Davis  | 1,299  | 22.30
Josh Henningsen  | 1,242  | 21.32
Total votes  | 5,825  | 100.0
General election
Megan Hunt  | 7,634  | 64.11
Mina Davis  | 4,274  | 35.89
Total votes  | 11,908  | 100.0

### District 10

[edit]

Bob Krist (incumbent) was term-limited.

Nebraska's 10th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Wendy DeBoer  | 3,253  | 57.31
Matt Deaver  | 2,423  | 42.69
Total votes  | 5,676  | 100.0
General election
Wendy DeBoer  | 8,306  | 50.32
Matt Deaver  | 8,201  | 49.68
Total votes  | 16,507  | 100.0

### District 12

[edit]

Nebraska's 12th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Steve Lathrop  | 2,658  | 53.47
Merv Riepe (incumbent)  | 2,313  | 46.53
Total votes  | 4,971  | 100.0
General election
Steve Lathrop  | 7,030  | 55.84
Merv Riepe (incumbent)  | 5,559  | 44.16
Total votes  | 12,589  | 100.0

### District 14

[edit]

Jim Smith (incumbent) was term-limited.

Nebraska's 14th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
John Arch  | 3,462  | 60.02
Jeff Parris  | 2,306  | 39.98
Total votes  | 5,768  | 100.0
General election
John Arch  | 7,625  | 55.82
Jeff Parris  | 6,035  | 44.18
Total votes  | 13,660  | 100.0

### District 16

[edit]

Lydia Brasch (incumbent) was term-limited.

Nebraska's 16th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Ben Hansen  | 4,620  | 58.77
Chuck Hassebrook  | 3,241  | 41.23
Total votes  | 7,861  | 100.0
General election
Ben Hansen  | 9,109  | 61.59
Chuck Hassebrook  | 5,680  | 38.41
Total votes  | 14,789  | 100.0

### District 18

[edit]

Nebraska's 18th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Brett Lindstrom (incumbent)  | 2,922  | 56.15
Scott Winkler  | 1,937  | 37.22
Austin Hennrich  | 345  | 6.63
Total votes  | 5,204  | 100.0
General election
Brett Lindstrom (incumbent)  | 6,874  | 53.60
Scott Winkler  | 5,950  | 46.40
Total votes  | 12,824  | 100.0

### District 20

[edit]

Nebraska's 20th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
John S. McCollister (incumbent)  | 4,213  | 63.23
Jackie Collett  | 1,968  | 29.54
Chris Anne Dienstbier  | 482  | 7.23
Total votes  | 6,663  | 100.0
General election
John S. McCollister (incumbent)  | 8,689  | 58.80
Jackie Collett  | 6,089  | 41.20
Total votes  | 14,778  | 100.0

### District 22

[edit]

Paul Schumacher (incumbent) was term-limited.

Nebraska's 22nd Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Mike Moser  | 3,578  | 56.12
Doug Oertwich  | 1,366  | 21.42
Francis P. Kuehler  | 1,102  | 17.28
Kenneth G. Leischner  | 330  | 5.18
Total votes  | 6,376  | 100.0
General election
Mike Moser  | 7,896  | 64.30
Doug Oertwich  | 4,383  | 35.70
Total votes  | 12,279  | 100.0

### District 24

[edit]

Nebraska's 24th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Mark A. Kolterman (incumbent)  | 3,795  | 72.07
Stephanie Nantkes  | 1,471  | 27.93
Total votes  | 5,266  | 100.0
General election
Mark A. Kolterman (incumbent)  | 9,501  | 73.46
Stephanie Nantkes  | 3,433  | 26.54
Total votes  | 12,934  | 100.0

### District 26

[edit]

Nebraska's 26th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Matt Hansen (incumbent)  | 4,223  | 76.96
Bob Van Valkenburg  | 1,264  | 23.04
Total votes  | 5,487  | 100.0
General election
Matt Hansen (incumbent)  | 9,046  | 73.16
Bob Van Valkenburg  | 3,319  | 26.84
Total votes  | 12,365  | 100.0

### District 28

[edit]

Nebraska's 28th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Patty Pansing Brooks (incumbent)  | 6,263  | 100.0
Total votes  | 6,263  | 100.0
General election
Patty Pansing Brooks (incumbent)  | 11,717  | 100.0
Total votes  | 11,717  | 100.0

### District 30

[edit]

Roy Baker (incumbent) retired.

Nebraska's 30th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Myron Dorn  | 3,161  | 40.50
Don Schuller  | 2,977  | 38.15
Joe Murray  | 1,666  | 21.35
Total votes  | 7,804  | 100.0
General election
Myron Dorn  | 7,923  | 52.98
Don Schuller  | 7,032  | 47.02
Total votes  | 14,955  | 100.0

### District 32

[edit]

Nebraska's 32nd Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Tom Brandt | 3,514  | 44.45
Laura Ebke (incumbent)  | 2,612  | 33.04
Al Riskowski  | 1,780  | 22.51
Total votes  | 7,906  | 100.0
General election
Tom Brandt | 8,154  | 56.42
Laura Ebke (incumbent)  | 6,299  | 43.58
Total votes  | 14,453  | 100.0

### District 34

[edit]

Nebraska's 34th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Curt Friesen (incumbent)  | 5,784  | 100.0
Total votes  | 5,784  | 100.0
General election
Curt Friesen (incumbent)  | 10,796  | 100.0
Total votes  | 10,796  | 100.0

### District 36

[edit]

Nebraska's 36th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Matt Williams (incumbent)  | 4,520  | 100.0
Total votes  | 4,520  | 100.0
General election
Matt Williams (incumbent)  | 9,816  | 100.0
Total votes  | 9,816  | 100.0

### District 38

[edit]

John Kuehn (incumbent) retired.

Nebraska's 38th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Dave Murman  | 3,206  | 45.76
Marsha Fangmeyer  | 1,633  | 23.31
Thomas Osborn  | 1,059  | 15.12
Ronald L. Johnson  | 416  | 5.94
Michael D. Combs  | 391  | 5.58
Andrew Murphy  | 301  | 4.30
Total votes  | 7,006  | 100.0
General election
Dave Murman  | 9,114  | 64.27
Marsha Fangmeyer  | 5,067  | 35.73
Total votes  | 14,181  | 100.0

### District 40

[edit]

Tyson Larson (incumbent) was term-limited.

Nebraska's 40th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Timothy J. Gragert  | 1,666  | 20.38
Keith F. Kube  | 1,590  | 19.45
Shane Greckel  | 1,487  | 18.19
Thomas E. Ferry  | 1,331  | 16.28
Michael A. Sobotka  | 1,151  | 14.08
Julie Thomsen  | 951  | 11.63
Total votes  | 8,176  | 100.0
General election
Timothy J. Gragert  | 7,222  | 51.63
Keith F. Kube  | 6,767  | 48.37
Total votes  | 13,989  | 100.0

### District 42

[edit]

Nebraska's 42nd Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Mike Groene (incumbent)  | 4,242  | 100.0
Total votes  | 4,242  | 100.0
General election
Mike Groene (incumbent)  | 8,180  | 67.13
Judy Pederson  | 4,005  | 32.87
Total votes  | 12,185  | 100.0

### District 44

[edit]

Nebraska's 44th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Dan Hughes (incumbent)  | 5,251  | 76.23
Stephanie L. Malcolm  | 1,637  | 23.77
Total votes  | 6,888  | 100.0
General election
Dan Hughes (incumbent)  | 9,872  | 77.31
Stephanie L. Malcolm  | 2,898  | 22.69
Total votes  | 12,770  | 100.0

### District 46

[edit]

Nebraska's 46th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
Adam Morfeld (incumbent)  | 2,360  | 100.0
Total votes  | 2,360  | 100.0
General election
Adam Morfeld (incumbent)  | 5,776  | 100.0
Total votes  | 5,776  | 100.0

### District 48

[edit]

Nebraska's 48th Legislative District election, 2018  Primary election

Candidate  | Votes  | %
John P. Stinner (incumbent)  | 3,773  | 100.0
Total votes  | 3,773  | 100.0
General election
John P. Stinner (incumbent)  | 9,041  | 100.0
Total votes  | 9,041  | 100.0

1. ^ Although Nebraska's legislature is unicameral, the officeholders are called senators.
2. ^ The odd-numbered districts were elected in 2016 and would be up for election again in 2020.
3. ^ Including Sen. Smith's vacated seat in the 14th legislative district.

## See also

[edit]

* United States elections, 2018
* United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2018
* United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2018
* Nebraska gubernatorial election, 2018
* Nebraska Attorney General election, 2018
* Nebraska Secretary of State election, 2018
* Nebraska elections, 2018

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Sen. Krist makes it official: He's switching party affiliation..." Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
2. ^ a b "Jim Smith Resigns as Senator; Ricketts Will Leave Seat Open". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
3. ^ 2nd
4. ^ 4th
5. ^ 6th
6. ^ 8th
7. ^ 10th
8. ^ 12th
9. ^ 14th
10. ^ 16th
11. ^ 18th
12. ^ 20th
13. ^ 22nd
14. ^ 24th
15. ^ 26th
16. ^ 28th
17. ^ 30th
18. ^ 32nd
19. ^ 34th
20. ^ 36th
21. ^ 38th
22. ^ 40th
23. ^ 42nd
24. ^ 44th
25. ^ 46th
26. ^ 48th
27. ^ "Nebraska State Senate elections, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
28. ^ "Official Results: Primary Election -- May 15, 2018". Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
29. ^ Jacobson, Louis (October 8, 2018). "A Month Before Election Day, Democrats Poised for Legislative Gains". Governing. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
30. ^ Nebraska Secretary of State (June 11, 2018). "Official Report of the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers – May 15, 2018 Primary Election" (PDF). Retrieved November 23, 2021.
31. ^ Nebraska Secretary of State (December 11, 2018). "Official Report of the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers – November 6, 2018 General Election" (PDF). Retrieved November 23, 2021.

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template