These are the past 11 governors of Nebraska
Nebraskans will head to the polls in less than a year to elect a governor.
Gov. Jim Pillen will be seeking a second term. As of late November, no Democrat officially has declared. Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont has formed an exploratory committee as she considers challenging Pillen.
Gov. Jim Pillen smiles during the applause after his inauguration ceremony on Jan. 5, 2023, at the Nebraska Capitol. The state's 41st governor grew up on a farm in Platte County and raised pigs with his father, Dale.He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from UNL. Read more.
Governor-elect Pete Ricketts takes the oath of office before Chief Justice Mike Heavican and his wife Suzanne on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, at the State Capitol. Ricketts attended the University of Chicago where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and an MBA in marketing and finance. He returned to Omaha and worked for Union Pacific before going to work in the family business, which would become Ameritrade. Read more.
First lady Sally Ganem and Gov. Dave Heineman take their seats during the Governor's Inauguration Ball at the Devaney Sports Center in 2007. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served five years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of captain. He is also a graduate of the Army’s Airborne and Ranger Schools. Read more.
Gov. Mike Johanns and first lady Stephanie Johanns are all smiles as they make their entrance during the Governor's Inaugural Ball on Jan. 8, 1999, at the Devaney Sports Center. He was elected mayor of Lincoln in 1991 and reelected in 1995. Johanns became the first Republican governor to be re-elected in 2002. Read more.
Ben Nelson and wife Diane share hugs and smiles on May 28, 2003. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1963, a master’s degree in philosophy in 1965, and a law degree in 1970, all from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He was elected to the U.S. Senate from 2001 through 2013. Read more.
Joseph Robert (Bob) Kerrey was born in Lincoln. He attended the University of Nebraska and earned a degree in pharmacy in 1965. He is pictures with is children his inauguration in Jaunuary 1983. Read more.
Thone was born near Hartington and served in the U.S. Army Infrantry in World War II and in the Army Field Artillery and the Army Air Corps. He graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1950. Here, Charles and Ruth Thone are pictured at the Inaugural Ball at Pershing Auditorium in January 1979. Read more.
Frank B. Morrison, the 32nd governor of Nebraska, was born in Golden, Colorado. He entered politics as the Frontier County attorney, a position he won election to in 1934. Between 1948 and 1970 he ran five times unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Here he isinterviewed by Bob Kerrey for PBS in 2003. Read more.
Pat Exon and Gov. J.J. Exon in Dec. 13, 1977. Exon was born in Geddes, South Dakota. He attended the University of Omaha and served in the U.S. Army Signal Cops from 1942 to 1945 and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1945 to 1949. Read more.
Starting Jan. 1, disabled veterans in Nebraska can receive a motor vehicle tax and fee exemption for one vehicle owned and used for their personal transportation.
In a survey of Nebraska Economic Development staff, roughly half of the current workers heavily criticized the department’s leadership, claiming management cares more about budget cuts and downsizing than taking care of their employees.
