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L Legal Marijuana NOW · Governor, Nebraska · Nov 3, 2026

Rick
Beard

Rick Beard is the Legal Marijuana NOW party candidate for Nebraska Governor in the November 3, 2026 general election.

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
11
positions
11
endorsements
0
rickforgov.org ↗(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Jim Pillen R+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Rick Beard is a Legal Marijuana NOW (LMN) party candidate for Governor of Nebraska in the November 3, 2026 general election, challenging incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen. His campaign describes him as a "non-politician" and Omaha native who has been a Nebraskan since 1972. 12

Beard's career has centered on the food and wine industry. He founded Omaha Wine Company in 1995 and later moved to Napa Valley in 1997, where he owned and operated a wine store for approximately 19 years. Nebraska Public Media describes him as having owned and consulted for businesses in the food and wine industry in both California and Nebraska. 211

Beard attended Burke High School in Omaha, according to Nebraska Public Media. The sources reviewed do not identify any prior elected or government office; Flatwater Free Press lists his past government service as "N/A." 26

Beard's campaign platform includes a pro-cannabis legalization position, which has drawn coverage alongside other candidates who share similar views in the 2026 Nebraska governor's race. 5 He and his wife Marion are listed as residing in Omaha, Nebraska. 12

At a glance

Party
Legal Marijuana NOW
Running for
Governor, Nebraska
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Food and wine business owner; founder of Omaha Wine Company
Website
rickforgov.org(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Sep 29
    poll
    Poll shows Beard at 4% in four-way Nebraska governor race

    A poll attributed to Lake Research, conducted September 14 and reported in a September 29 social-media post, showed Beard at 4%, with Jim Pillen at 40%, Lynne Walz at 40%, and Brett Lindstrom at 9%. Full methodology and sample size were not available.

    Polling USA · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Sep 29
    filing
    Beard has no campaign-finance filing for the June 17–September 29 reporting period

    Nebraska Examiner reported that Beard had no campaign filings for the June 17–September 29 reporting period, indicating he raised and spent less than the $5,000 threshold that triggers a required campaign disclosure committee filing.

    Update: Lindstrom reports $16,049.50 spent in 2026 NE gubernatorial campaign - NewsBreak · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 21
    news
    Beard states support for easier voter registration in email interview with OnTheIssues

    An OnTheIssues page attributes the position 'Make voter registration easier' to an email interview with Beard dated September 21, 2026, under the government-reform topic.

    Rick Beard on Government Reform · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 18
    news
    Beard selects Keenya 'Ruby' Barnes as his running mate for lieutenant governor

    Rick Beard announced the selection of Keenya 'Ruby' Barnes as his lieutenant governor running mate. The announcement was reported by 1st Sky Omaha on September 19.

    Afroman sues deputy who sued him after winning defamation case · Sep 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 17
    filing
    Beard and running mate Keenya Barnes listed on Deuel County general-election notice

    Deuel County's official notice for the November 3 general election listed 'Rick Beard/Keenya Barnes (Legal Marijuana NOW)' on the governor/lieutenant governor ticket.

    Notice of Election – Deuel County · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 15
    news
    Voter guide covers Beard's policy positions including cannabis-funded property-tax relief

    The Flatwater Free Press voter guide reported Beard's stated approach to property taxes: establish a state-run cannabis program and use its revenue for property-tax relief. The guide also summarized his answers on corporate influence, abortion, and other state issues.

    Governor - Nebraska Voter Guide · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. May 12
    filing
    Rick Beard wins Legal Marijuana NOW gubernatorial primary with ~69% of the vote

    Beard won the Legal Marijuana NOW party's gubernatorial nomination, receiving approximately 69% (69.1% per one source) of the primary vote, securing his place as the party's candidate for Nebraska governor.

    Governor - Nebraska Voter Guide · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Sources 11

  1. [1] Update: Lindstrom reports $16,049.50 spent in 2026 NE gubernatorial campaign - NewsBreak(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  2. [2] Rick Beard for Governor(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  3. [3] Polling USA(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  4. [4] Rick Beard on Abortion(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  5. [5] Rick Beard on Foreign Policy(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  6. [6] Rick Beard on Government Reform(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  7. [7] Rick Beard on Gun Control(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  8. [8] Afroman sues deputy who sued him after winning defamation case(opens in a new tab) Sep 19, 2026
  9. [9] Notice of Election – Deuel County(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  10. [10] Governor - Nebraska Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  11. [11] Beard talks priorities, pivot from Nebraska primary election to Nov. 3 faceoff(opens in a new tab) Jul 27, 2026
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