Former state Sen. Lynne Walz formally announced her bid for governor against Republican Gov. Jim Pillen after a two-month-long exploratory committee and statewide listening tour.
"After two months of traveling and listening to Nebraskans across the state, I decided to enter the race for Governor," Walz said in a news release Wednesday.
"Nebraska is full of possibilities, and we need a governor who will focus on creating and attracting good-paying jobs, supporting our public schools, and lowering the cost of food, health care, and daycare. I believe we have more in common than what divides us, and I assure you I will be a governor who is focused on Nebraska's future."
In November, Walz had said she was exploring a run for governor. Since then, the Democrat has conducted a statewide listening tour and launched a campaign website featuring a “Lynne Walz for Governor” logo.
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Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
The Democrat has said she wants to hear directly from Nebraskans about the issues that matter most to them before making an official decision early this year on whether to formally enter the race.
"Too many people feel like government isn't working for them. I promise to be a governor who listens, tells the truth and works hard every day to make life better for families across our state," Walz said in Wednesday's news release.
Walz, 62, served in the Legislature from 2017 to 2024. She represented District 15, which includes Dodge County and northwest Douglas County. The Fremont native served on the Education Committee for all eight years and was chair in 2021 and 2022.
In 2018, Walz appeared on a statewide ballot as the running mate of Bob Krist in the gubernatorial election. Krist lost to incumbent Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts by 18 percentage points.
If elected governor, Walz would be the first Democrat to hold the office since Ben Nelson, who served from 1991 to 1999. Pillen is running for a second term.
Walz will hold a press conference in Fremont on Wednesday as part of her campaign launch.
Pillen's campaign issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, painting Walz as a candidate that is "out of step with hardworking Nebraskans" and who is "at home with today's radical national Democrat party."
"We look forward to reminding Nebraskans about her record in the Legislature. She fought to allow sex change surgeries on children, expanded abortion, opposed tax relief, opposed Second Amendment rights and voted for free needles to drug addicts," the statement read.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Photos: Lynne Walz brings listening tour to Lincoln
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, left, listens to a woman in the crowd after asking what issues Lincolnites find important during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, left, listens to a woman in the crowd after asking what issues Lincolnites find important during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont addresses a crowd during a listening tour stop at the IBEW Local 265 office on Saturday.
Contact the writer at akleiber@journalstar.com or 402-473-7223. On X @annakleiber03
