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.
2018 Nebraska Legislature election
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← 2016 |
November 6, 2018 Officially nonpartisan |
2020 → |
|
24 of the 49 seats in the Nebraska Legislature 25 seats needed for a majority |
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|
Majority party
|
Minority party
|
Third party
|
|
Rep
|
Dem
|
Ind
|
Party
|
Republican
|
Democratic
|
Independent Democrat
|
Last election
|
32
|
15
|
1
|
Seats before
|
31
|
16
|
1
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Seats won
|
30
|
18
|
1
|
Seat change
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
|
Fourth party
|
|
|
Lib
|
|
Party
|
Libertarian
|
|
Last election
|
0
|
|
Seats before
|
1
|
|
Seats won
|
0
|
|
Seat change
|
1
|
|
|
Democratic gain Republican gain Democratic hold Republican hold 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% >90% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% >90% |
|
A top two primary election on May 15, 2018, determined which candidates 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 1 seat each for Independent Sen. Ernie Chambers and Libertarian Sen. Laura Ebke. The Democrats net gained 2 seats, while the Republicans net lost 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 are not up for election until 2020.
Sources:[3][4]
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%
|
Sources:[5][6]
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
- ^ Although Nebraska's legislature is unicameral, the officeholders are called Senators.
- ^ The odd-numbered districts were elected in 2016 and will be up for election again in 2020.
- ^ Including Sen. Smith's vacated seat in the 14th legislative district.
- ^ "Sen. Krist makes it official: He's switching party affiliation..." Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ^ a b "Jim Smith Resigns as Senator; Ricketts Will Leave Seat Open". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ^ "Nebraska State Senate elections, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ^ "Official Results: Primary Election -- May 15, 2018". Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.