2018 Nebraska gubernatorial election
{{Short description|none}}
{{see also|2018 United States gubernatorial elections}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial election
| country = Nebraska
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 2014
| next_election = 2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2022
| election_date = November 6, 2018
| image1 = File:Nebraska WWII veteran honored by France (5) (cropped).jpg
| image_size = x150px
| nominee1 = Pete Ricketts
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate1 = Mike Foley
| popular_vote1 = 411,812
| percentage1 = 59.00%
| image2 = File:Bob Krist photo.jpg
| nominee2 = Bob Krist
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate2 = Lynne Walz
| popular_vote2 = 286,169
| percentage2 = 41.00%
| map_image = {{switcher |300px |County results |300px |Congressional district results |300px |Precinct results|default=1}}
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = Ricketts: {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#D72F30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#A80000|>90%}}
Krist: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}
Tie: {{legend0|#ae8bb1|50%}} {{legend0|#808080|No votes}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = Pete Ricketts
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Pete Ricketts
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)|
}}
{{ElectionsNE}}
The 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the governor of Nebraska, concurrently with the election of Nebraska's Class I U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various Nebraska and local elections. Incumbent Republican governor Pete Ricketts won re-election to a second term.
Republican primary
=Candidates=
==Declared==
- Krystal Gabel, writer, candidate for Metropolitan Utilities District in 2016 and candidate for Omaha City Council in 2017{{cite web|url=http://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/omaha-writer-marijuana-advocate-announces-bid-for-governor-as-republican/article_1ff4b6c8-9235-5fba-a27b-9293329c118a.html|title=Omaha writer, marijuana advocate announces bid for governor as Republican|work=Lincoln Journal Star|date=July 22, 2017|access-date=September 13, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://nebraska.tv/news/local/omaha-writer-says-nebraskans-need-options-in-governors-race|title=Omaha writer says Nebraskans need options in governor's race|work=NTV News|last=Kirkley|first=Sara|date=August 28, 2017|access-date=September 13, 2017}}
- Pete Ricketts, incumbent governor{{cite web|url=http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/ricketts-ties-conservative-goals-to-two-terms/article_f1d4480a-a995-51ee-a8b7-bccc67415fd9.html|title=Ricketts ties conservative goals to two terms|work=Lincoln Journal Star|last=Walton|first=Don|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=July 7, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://journalstar.com/news/local/ricketts-embarks-on-re-election-campaign-promises-tax-relief-every/article_6f3e6282-788a-50e0-826a-0703cea05889.html|title=Ricketts embarks on re-election campaign, promises tax relief every year|work=Lincoln Journal Star|last=Walton|first=Don|date=June 4, 2017|access-date=June 29, 2017}}
:*Running mate: Mike Foley, incumbent lieutenant governor
==Declined==
- Mike Flood, former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/politics/after-heineman-says-mike-flood-would-make-an-outstanding-governor/article_26be93c8-5d00-11e7-9a75-5f33d809254d.html|title=After Heineman says Mike Flood would make an 'outstanding governor,' ex-speaker says it's not his time|work=Omaha World-Herald|last=Duggan|first=Joe|date=June 29, 2017|access-date=June 29, 2017}}
- Bob Krist, state senator (running as a Democrat){{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/state-sen-bob-krist-says-he-s-thinking-about-challenging/article_92e764a2-2f98-11e7-87e8-dfd5deeaf811.html|work=Omaha World-Herald|title=State Sen. Bob Krist says he's thinking about challenging Pete Ricketts for governor in 2018|date=May 3, 2017|access-date=May 5, 2017|first=Paul|last=Hammel}}{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/politics/nebraska-state-sen-bob-krist-to-leave-gop-try-to/article_49708893-def0-51ca-875d-a2251187aac0.html|title=Nebraska State Sen. Bob Krist to leave GOP, try to challenge Ricketts as third-party candidate|work=Omaha World-Herald|last=Konnath|first=Hailey|date=July 17, 2017|access-date=July 17, 2017}}
=Endorsements=
{{Endorsements box
| title = Pete Ricketts
| list =
;Organizations
- Nebraska Farm Bureau{{cite web|url=https://www.theindependent.com/news/local/pete-ricketts-receives-ne-farm-bureau-endorsement/article_f7858f96-a97d-11e8-821a-8f3589b850c1.html|title=Pete Ricketts receives NE Farm Bureau endorsement|work=Grand Island Independent|last=Koeller|first=Austin|date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827014930/https://www.theindependent.com/news/local/pete-ricketts-receives-ne-farm-bureau-endorsement/article_f7858f96-a97d-11e8-821a-8f3589b850c1.html|archive-date=August 27, 2018|url-status=live}}{{Subscription required|date=July 2023}}
- NRA Political Victory Fund{{cite web|title=NRA Endorses Ricketts, Evnen, Murante for Top State Offices in Nebraska|url=https://www.nraila.org/articles/20180425/nra-endorses-ricketts-evnen-murante-for-top-state-offices-in-nebraska|work=NRA-ILA|date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425181054/https://www.nraila.org/articles/20180425/nra-endorses-ricketts-evnen-murante-for-top-state-offices-in-nebraska|archive-date=April 25, 2018|quote=National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) proudly announces its endorsement of Pete Ricketts for Governor of Nebraska}}
}}
=Results=
[[File:2018 Nebraska gubernatorial Republican primary election results map by county.svg|thumb|300px|Results by county:
{{legend|#800000|Ricketts—>90%}}
{{legend|#aa0000|Ricketts—80–90%}}
{{legend|#d40000|Ricketts—70–80%}}
{{legend|#cc2f4a|Ricketts—60–70%}}
]]
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary results{{cite book|last1=Gale|first1=John A.|title=Official Report of the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers, Primary Election, May 15, 2018|date=2018|url=https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2018/2018-canvass-book.pdf}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Pete Ricketts (inc.)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 138,292
| percentage = 81.42%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Krystal Gabel
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 31,568
| percentage = 18.58%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 169,860
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Democratic primary
=Candidates=
==Declared==
- Tyler Davis, University of Nebraska, Omaha instructor{{Cite news |url=http://columbusnewsteam.com/local-news/democrats-short-list-for-governor-slowly-emerging/ |title=Democrats Short List for Governor Slowly Emerging |last=Jordan |first=Joe |date=October 26, 2017 |work=News Channel Nebraska |access-date=December 20, 2017}}
- Bob Krist, state senator{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/nebraska/articles/2018-02-12/nebraska-governor-hopeful-krist-joins-democratic-party|title=Nebraska Governor hopeful joins Democratic Party|work=USNews|last=Schulte |first=Grant|date=February 12, 2018|access-date=May 2, 2018}}
:* Running mate: Lynne Walz, state senator{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/politics/elections/state-sen-lynne-walz-chosen-as-democrat-bob-krist-s/article_227d8f0d-c285-5856-8a86-7b0fb668eaa8.html|title=State Sen. Lynne Walz chosen as Democrat Bob Krist's running mate|work=Omaha World Herald|last=Gaardner |first=Nancy|date=April 30, 2018|access-date=May 2, 2018}}
==Declined==
- Chuck Hassebrook, former regent of the University of Nebraska and nominee for governor in 2014 (running for the legislature){{cite web|url=http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/don-walton-good-week-for-ricketts-in-political-terms/article_66083d03-9d43-53d9-9097-36817e66f245.html|title=Good week for Ricketts in political terms|work=Lincoln Journal Star|last=Walton|first=Don|date=July 2, 2017|access-date=July 17, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://journalstar.com/legislature/chuck-hassebrook-seeks-seat-in-legislature/article_ac15a153-6bc9-581d-9d33-6b3604413cc8.html|title=Chuck Hassebrook seeks seat in Legislature|work=Lincoln Journal Star|last=Walton|first=Don|date=August 30, 2017|access-date=August 30, 2017}}
- Steve Lathrop, former state senator (running for the legislature){{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/ex-state-sen-steve-lathrop-plans-to-run-for-his/article_90258f15-e413-5a96-b00f-0b277592be53.html|title=Ex-State Sen. Steve Lathrop plans to run for his old seat, challenging incumbent Merv Riepe|work=Omaha World-Herald|last=Hammel|first=Paul|date=August 29, 2017|access-date=August 29, 2017}}
=Endorsements=
{{Endorsements box
| title = Bob Krist
| list =
;State legislators
- Burke Harr, Nebraska Legislature 8th District{{cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/politics/gubernatorial-candidate-bob-krist-switches-to-democratic-party/article_51cf6228-a252-5ce5-b00b-47c8ecc46f91.html|title=Gubernatorial candidate Bob Krist switches to Democratic Party|work=Omaha World-Herald|author=Roseann Moring}}
;Mayors
- Chris Beutler, Lincoln
;Federal-level politicians
- Brad Ashford, former congressman}}
=Results=
[[File:2018 Nebraska gubernatorial Democratic primary election results map by county.svg|thumb|300px|Results by county:
{{legend|#1666cb|Krist—70–80%}}
{{legend|#4389e3|Krist—60–70%}}
{{legend|#86b6f2|Krist—50–60%}}
{{legend|#b9d7ff|Krist—40–50%}}
{{legend|#d3e7ff|Krist—<40%}}
{{legend|#646464|Tie}}
{{legend|#ffb380|Ward—40–50%}}
{{legend|#ff9955|Ward—50–60%}}
]]
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Bob Krist
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 54,992
| percentage = 59.81%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Vanessa Gayle Ward
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 26,478
| percentage = 28.80%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Tyler A. Davis
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 10,472
| percentage = 11.39%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 91,942
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Independents
State Senator Bob Krist announced in September 2017 that he had left the Republican Party in order to mount a third party challenge against Governor Ricketts. Krist planned to create a new party in order to run, which would require submitting 5,000 signatures to qualify the party for the ballot. However, in February 2018 he abandoned his independent candidacy and became a Democrat.
=Candidates=
==Withdrawn==
- Bob Krist, state senator (running as a Democrat)
General election
=Predictions=
{{smalldiv|1=;Notes
{{notelist}}}}
=Debates=
| class="wikitable"
|+ ! rowspan="2" |Host ! rowspan="2" |Date ! rowspan="2" |Link(s) ! colspan="3" |Participants |
| Bob Krist (D) !Pete |
|---|
| align="center" |KMTV-TV
| align="center" |August 30, 2018 | {{Yes|Invited}} | {{Yes|Invited}} |
=Results=
{{Election box begin
| title=2018 Nebraska gubernatorial election{{cite book|last1=Gale|first1=John A.|title=Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers, General Election, November 6, 2018|date=2018|url=https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2018/2018-general-election-official-results.pdf}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Pete Ricketts (inc.)
|votes = 411,812
|percentage = 59.00%
|change = +1.85%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Bob Krist
|votes = 286,169
|percentage = 41.00%
|change = +1.77%
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 125,643
|percentage = 18.00%
|change = +0.08%
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 697,981
|percentage = 100.0%
|change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
|loser = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
==Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican==
== Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic ==
==By congressional district==
Rickets won two of three congressional districts, with Krist winning the remaining one, which elected a Republican.https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::a2b03bdb-525c-4082-945f-1150528ec151
| class=wikitable
! District ! Ricketts ! Krist ! Representative |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Nebraska|1|1st}} | 56% | 44% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Jeff Fortenberry |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Nebraska|2|2nd}} | 49% | 51% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Don Bacon |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Nebraska|3|3rd}} | 74% | 26% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Adrian Smith |
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://votesmart.org/election/2018/G/NE/2018-gubernatorial Candidates] at Vote Smart
- [https://ballotpedia.org/Nebraska_gubernatorial_election,_2018 Candidates] at Ballotpedia
Official campaign websites
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180815044720/http://www.kristfornebraska.com/ Bob Krist (D) for Governor]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180901024758/https://petericketts.com/ Pete Ricketts (R) for Governor]
{{2018 United States elections}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nebraska Gubernatorial Election, 2018}}