Lynne
Walz
Democratic nominee for Nebraska Governor in 2026; former state senator and educator from Fremont
- sources
- 18
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 10
Background
Lynne Walz is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Nebraska in the November 2026 election, running alongside lieutenant governor candidate Ben Steffen. 111 She grew up on a small hog farm outside Fremont, Nebraska, and later earned an education degree from Midland Lutheran College (now Midland University). 25
Before entering politics, Walz worked as a caretaker for women with developmental disabilities, worked for a nonprofit supporting people with developmental disabilities, and taught fourth and fifth grade at Fremont Public Schools and Archbishop Bergan Catholic School. 2 She also served on Bergan's school board, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce Board, and as president of the Fremont Board of Realtors. 2
Walz served as a Nebraska state senator for District 15 from 2017 to 2025, having been elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020. During her tenure she chaired the Legislature's Education Committee. 25 Following her time in the legislature, she has worked as a real estate salesperson with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Don Peterson & Associates in Fremont. 14
Walz announced an exploratory committee for the governorship in mid-2026 and subsequently filed as the Democratic nominee for the 2026 general election. 61611
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- Governor, Nebraska
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- lynnewalz.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 9newsWalz and running mate Steffen hold property-tax roundtable with farmers and policy experts in Lincoln
Walz and running mate Ben Steffen met with farmers and policy experts to discuss property-tax relief. Walz said she wants to restore the school aid formula and expand the homestead exemption, and challenged Gov. Pillen's claim of a 40% property-tax reduction. She called for bringing stakeholders together to develop a lasting approach.
Lynne Walz holds roundtable on property tax relief · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsFundraising filings show Walz sets Democratic record in Nebraska but trails Pillen's war chest
Campaign finance filings showed Walz raised about $3.8 million for the election cycle and spent about $2.6 million—a record for a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Nebraska. Pillen raised about $12.7 million, spent about $5.8 million, and held roughly $7.5 million cash on hand.
Pillen holds war chest edge while Walz sets records for Dems · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6pollYouGov poll (Sept. 24–Oct. 3) shows Pillen at 44%, Walz at 43% among likely voters
A YouGov poll of 1,809 likely Nebraska voters conducted September 24–October 3 showed incumbent Republican Jim Pillen at 44% and Democrat Lynne Walz at 43%, a very close margin.
Politics & Poll Tracker on X: "YouGov poll | 9/24-10/3 LV Nebraska ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsTrump rallies for Pillen in Grand Island, attacks Walz and mistakenly calls her 'Jim Walz'
At a Grand Island rally, President Trump attacked Walz and mistakenly referred to her as 'Jim Walz,' also invoking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Walz responded that political attacks would not lower property taxes or reopen farm markets.
President Trump stumps for Republicans in Grand Island - KOLN · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28endorsementFormer Republican state senators Gragert, Stinner, and Kolterman endorse Walz at campaign event
Former Republican state senators Tim Gragert, John Stinner, and Mark Kolterman appeared at a Walz campaign event and endorsed her, praising her leadership and criticizing Gov. Pillen's handling of the budget, property taxes, and government accountability. Pillen's campaign responded by pointing to Walz's legislative voting record.
Pillen, Walz lean into conservative support in dueling endorsements for Nebraska governor · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 11filingNebraska Secretary of State certifies general-election ballot including Walz as Democratic gubernatorial candidate
Nebraska's Secretary of State certified the general-election candidate list. The governor's race ballot includes Republican incumbent Jim Pillen, Democrat Lynne Walz, Legal Marijuana NOW candidate Rick Beard, and America First candidate Brett Lindstrom. Election Day is November 3.
Secretary of State certifies ballot measures for 2026 general ... · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Nebraska Democratic Party Latino Caucus organizationListed in iVoterGuide profile; no dated announcement found in sources reviewed. ivoterguide.com
- Women Who Run Nebraska organizationLists Walz among its 2026 statewide endorsements; no specific announcement date given. womenwhorunne.org
- Nebraska Young Democrats organizationListed in iVoterGuide profile; no dated announcement found in sources reviewed. ivoterguide.com
- Sierra Club (Nebraska chapter) organizationReported in Flatwater Free Press Nebraska voter guide; no endorsement date given. voterguide.flatwaterfreepress.org
- Campaign for a Healthy Nebraska PAC organizationLists Walz as its 2026 gubernatorial endorsement; no specific date given. campaignforahealthynebraska.org
- Hillary Clinton (former U.S. Secretary of State and presidential candidate) officialAppeared at a Nebraska campaign event stumping for Walz on October 10, 2026; no separate endorsement statement provided in the source. wowt.com · Oct 10, 2026
- Tim Gragert (former Republican Nebraska state senator) officialAnnounced endorsement at a virtual event on September 28, 2026. northeast.newschannelnebraska.com · Sep 28, 2026
- John Stinner (former Republican Nebraska state senator) officialAnnounced endorsement at a virtual event on September 28, 2026. northeast.newschannelnebraska.com · Sep 28, 2026
- Nebraska Farmers Union PAC (NEBFARMPAC) organizationEndorsed Walz and her running mate on September 25, 2026. coyote105.com · Sep 25, 2026
- Mark Kolterman (former Republican Nebraska state senator) officialExact date in July 2026 not specified; reported as July 2026. Participated in Walz roundtable on September 28, 2026. northeast.newschannelnebraska.com · Jul 1, 2026
Sources 18
- [1] Election 2026: Hillary Clinton visits Nebraska to stump for Lynne Walz, Denise Powell(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Candidate Endorsement - Campaign for a Healthy Nebraska(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Democratic candidate for governor shares details of fiscal policy ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] Lynne Walz holds roundtable on property tax relief(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [6] Voter Guide Profile for NE Governor candidate - Lynne Walz(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [7] Pillen holds war chest edge while Walz sets records for Dems(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [8] Politics & Poll Tracker on X: "YouGov poll | 9/24-10/3 LV Nebraska ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [9] President Trump stumps for Republicans in Grand Island - KOLN(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [10] Lynne's Commitment to Nebraska(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [11] Lynne's Priorities(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [12] Pillen, Walz lean into conservative support in dueling endorsements for Nebraska governor(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [13] Two former Republican state senators endorse Lynne Walz ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [14] Nebraska Farmers Union PAC Endorses Lynne Walz for Governor(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [15] Governor - Nebraska Voter Guide - Flatwater Free Press(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [16] Secretary of State certifies ballot measures for 2026 general ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
- [17] Walz talks priorities, pivot from Nebraska primary election to Nov. 3 faceoff(opens in a new tab) Jul 16, 2026
- [18] Lynne Walz's positions on the issues - nebraskavoterguide.com(opens in a new tab) Mar 4, 2014