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34%
Nebraska Democratic Senate nominee?
$26.5K
MAY 13, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePastor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyConservative Democrat
LocationNebraska
BackgroundPastor
Show moreShow less
Notable personal detailsWilliam J. Forbes is a Democratic candidate who ran in the 2026 Nebraska Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. He is a pastor in Paxton, Nebraska, and has led New Life Lutheran Church there. Forbes filed as a challenger to incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts and established the authorized committee Bill Forbes for Nebraska in March 2026.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govsos.nebraska.govlcmc.netnebraskademocrats.orgen.wikipedia.orgnebraskaexaminer.comlgbtqnation.comketv.compolivion.comforbesfornebraska.comnewrepublic.comapnews.comindependentpoliticalreport.comreddit.comflatwaterfreepress.orgnebraskapublicmedia.orgarchive.liveaction.orgbreitbart.companhandle.newschannelnebraska.comlegislature.nebraska.govlaw.justia.comupload.wikimedia.orggovdocs.nebraska.govcongress.govarchives.cdn.sos.ca.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgfacebook.cominstagram.comnewsfromthestates.comnbcnews.comtheguardian.compeople.comusatoday.comforbes.comtiktok.commezha.netballotready.orghistory.house.govsenate.govfischer.senate.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Healthcare
Has taken positions opposing abortion access; other specific policy positions on health coverage, Medicaid, or broader healthcare reform are not clearly documented in public campaign or official materials available from identified sources.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
William (Bill) Forbes has organized and campaigned for local ordinances that would outlaw abortion within municipal limits and support private enforcement mechanisms; he has worked with national anti-abortion organizers to advance local bans. His activism includes collecting petition signatures and publicly advocating for ordinances that criminalize abortion and assistance to obtain abortions, with limited or narrow exceptions in some drafts.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
William Forbes was defeated by Cindy Burbank in Nebraska’s Democratic Senate primary, according to NBC News projections. The race has drawn attention because Nebraska Democrats were trying to clear the way for independent Dan Osborn, and Forbes has been described in reports as a possible spoiler in that strategy. Recent coverage also places his campaign in the broader context of a competitive 2026 Senate race where fundraising and ballot strategy are major issues.
fec.gov+40
Articles
NNNBC News3 months ago
Democrats pick Nebraska Senate nominee who could drop out and back independent Dan Osborn
Negative
AABC17News.com3 months ago
Nebraska Democrats are boosting a Senate candidate. Her pitch: Help someone else win
Negative
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
switch ploy to boost Nebraska independent bid
Negative
HCHartford Courant3 months ago
Californians are pouring money into Democrats’ Senate races in other states
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1K
$750
$500
$250
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.0K
$0.00
$1.0K
$58.82
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements