Public Policy Polling
50%40%30%20%10%0%
38%
Nebraska Republican Governor nominee?
$9.4K
MAY 13, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age70 years old (Dec 31, 1955)
GenderMale
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LocationNebraska
BackgroundGovernor of Nebraska
EducationUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln (B.S., Animal Science)
Notable personal detailsJames Douglas Pillen is an American politician, veterinarian, and livestock producer who has served as the 41st governor of Nebraska since 2023. He previously served on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents (2013–2023). He founded Pillen Family Farms and is associated with DNA Genetics. He earned a B.S. in animal science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University.
SourcesShowHide
governor.nebraska.govnebraskalegislature.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgjimpillen.comupdate.legislature.ne.goves.wikipedia.orgcongress.govcommons.wikimedia.orgseattletimes.comsengov.comczech.wikinepower.orggovdocs.nebraska.govarxiv.orgapnews.comnebraskaexaminer.comdhhs.ne.govhrc.orgethanol.nebraska.govrenewablefuelsne.orgdnr.nebraska.govfirearmspolicy.orgassets.apnews.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgballotpedia.orgnga.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgricketts.senate.govballotready.orgnass.orggovinfo.govtransportation.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports reducing income and property taxes and pursuing tax reform to provide tax relief for Nebraskans while holding overall growth in the state budget; has proposed shifting some school funding to the state to lower property taxes and backing measures that expand tax-advantaged school choice.
Healthcare
Jim Pillen supports policies that restrict and condition public health program eligibility while also pursuing targeted expansions of services; as governor he has pursued Medicaid work requirements and actions limiting funding for certain providers, and has supported state actions to secure additional federal hospital funding and extend postpartum Medicaid coverage. His enacted and proposed measures emphasize work requirements, restrictions on some reproductive and gender-affirming care providers, and state-driven funding/waiver strategies for hospitals and Medicaid programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports stronger immigration enforcement and state cooperation with federal immigration policies, including backing deportation of criminals and actions to secure the southern border. He has directed state support for federal immigration policy implementation and backed converting a state facility to an ICE immigration detention center.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports significant restrictions on abortion access, including a law banning elective abortions after 12 weeks with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, and has taken executive actions to limit taxpayer funding and other support for abortion providers. Has stated a goal of reducing and ultimately ending abortion in Nebraska while supporting protections for certain exceptions.
Climate & Energy
Supports growth of biofuels, hydrogen and other renewable-fuel development and has taken administrative actions creating a state energy/environment agency; at the same time has backed keeping traditional fossil-fuel power online and applauded efforts to prevent coal-plant closures. Policy emphasis appears to prioritize Nebraska’s bioeconomy and energy reliability rather than aggressive emissions-reduction or Green New Deal–style phaseouts.
Public Safety & Guns
Jim Pillen supports Second Amendment rights, signed Nebraska’s permitless/constitutional carry law, and has opposed new gun restrictions such as red-flag laws. He has also promoted the firearm industry and owners' rights at industry events.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 12, 2026
Jim Pillen won Nebraska’s Republican gubernatorial primary and will move on to the general election. He is now set to face Democrat Lynne Walz, who won her party’s nomination. The reports also note Pillen’s alignment with Donald Trump and place his win in the context of Nebraska’s broader primary elections.
governor.nebraska.gov+36
Articles
TNThe New York Times1 month ago
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen to Face Democrat Lynne Walz
Positive
CNCBS News1 month ago
What to know about today's primaries in Nebraska and West Virginia
Neutral
BDBoulder Daily Camera1 month ago
Nebraska Democrats in tight primary race for state’s ‘blue dot’ US House seat
Positive
OWOmaha World-Herald1 month ago
Lancaster County voter registration deadline May 12 primary
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising