Independent Candidate Shakes Up Nebraska Governor’s Race
The political landscape in Nebraska is undergoing a significant shift as former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom makes a bold move. Having previously finished third in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary, Lindstrom now seeks to enter the Nebraska governor’s race as an independent candidate through a petition.
The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office has confirmed Lindstrom’s submission of the necessary paperwork to appear on the ballot as a nonpartisan candidate. To qualify, he needs to gather at least 4,000 signatures, with a minimum of 750 from each of Nebraska’s Congressional districts, by the deadline of August 3.
In a statement shared on his campaign’s Facebook page, Lindstrom expressed his perspective on Nebraska’s current state. He described it as a “turning point,” emphasizing the importance of decisions regarding the budget and economy, which he believes will impact the future opportunities for younger generations. “Nebraskans work hard and play by the rules. They deserve leaders who answer to them — not to two parties, and not to politics as usual,” Lindstrom stated.
Lindstrom’s entry adds complexity to the governor’s race, which already features Republican incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen, Democratic former state Sen. Lynne Walz, and Legal Marijuana Now candidate Rick Beard.
In response to Lindstrom’s candidacy, Walz’s campaign described him as a “lifelong conservative Republican who recently switched after an unsuccessful Congressional campaign.” Similarly, Taylor Silva, campaign manager for Gov. Pillen, dismissed Lindstrom’s chances, stating, “there’s no path forward for a career politician like Lindstrom.”
Silva elaborated, “In the past four years, he lost a Governor’s campaign, applied to be a U.S. Senator, quit a congressional race, switched parties, and is now scheming up a workaround to see his name on the ballot once again.”
Lindstrom’s political journey includes a brief candidacy for the Republican nomination in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which he exited in January. His earlier political pursuits date back to 2012 when he ran for the same seat but was defeated in the primary by Lee Terry.
