# 2020 Nebraska Legislature election

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The 2020 Nebraska State Legislature elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Nebraska voters elected state senators in the 25 odd-numbered seats of the 49 legislative districts in the Nebraska Unicameral. State senators serve four-year terms in the unicameral Nebraska Legislature.
A top two primary election on May 12, 2020 determined which candidates appear on the November 3 general election ballot. Each candidate technically runs as a non-partisan (i.e., no party preference). The Nebraska State Legislature's website offers a statewide map of the 49 legislative districts here and maps for each individual district can be found on the website.
Following the 2018 elections, the Republicans maintained effective control of the Nebraska State Legislature with 30 seats. The Democrats increased their numbers from 16 to 18.
Republicans flipped three seats from Democrats; Democrats flipped one seat from Republicans and one from nonpartisan Ernie Chambers.

## Open seats that changed parties
### Democratic seats won by Republicans

* District 31: Won by Rich Pahls.
* District 45: Won by Rita Sanders.

### Nonpartisan seats won by Democrats

* District 11: Won by Terrell McKinney.

## Incumbents defeated
### In general elections
#### Democrats

* District 35: Dan Quick (elected in 2016) lost to Raymond Aguilar.

#### Republicans

* District 49: Andrew LaGrone (appointed in 2019) lost to Jen Day.

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Safe R | October 21, 2020 |

## Close races

| District | Winner | Party | Margin |
| 3 | Carol Blood | Democratic | 0.8% |
| 49 | Jen Day | Democratic (flip) | 1.0% |
| 31 | Rich Pahls | Republican (flip) | 5.4% |
| 29 | Eliot Bostar | Democratic | 6.2% |
| 35 | Raymond Aguilar | Republican (flip) | 7.2% |
| 45 | Rita Sanders | Republican (flip) | 7.6% |
| 9 | John Cavanaugh | Democratic | 8.2% |
| 21 | Mike Hilgers | Republican | 9.92% |

## Detailed results

* Note: All elections are technically non-partisan in the State Legislature; therefore, parties listed here are from candidates' websites and official party endorsement lists. Candidates all appear on the ballot as nonpartisan.
** Candidates endorsed by the Republican Party:
** Candidates endorsed by the Democratic Party:

### District 1

Nebraska's 1st Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Julie Slama (incumbent) | 6,553 | 60.5 |
| | Republican | Janet Palmtag | 2,244 | 20.7 |
| | Republican | Dennis Schaardt | 1,954 | 18.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Julie Slama (incumbent) | 12,033 | 68.1 |
| | Republican | Janet Palmtag | 5,627 | 31.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 3

Nebraska's 3rd Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Carol Blood (incumbent) | 4,851 | 57.1 |
| | Republican | Rick Holdcroft | 3,646 | 42.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Carol Blood (incumbent) | 9,196 | 50.4 |
| | Republican | Rick Holdcroft | 9,036 | 49.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 5

Nebraska's 5th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike McDonnell (incumbent) | 3,578 | 70.0 |
| | Republican | Gilbert Ayala | 1,536 | 30.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Mike McDonnell (incumbent) | 6,947 | 63.2 |
| | Republican | Gilbert Ayala | 4,053 | 36.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 7

Nebraska's 7th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tony Vargas (incumbent) | 3,281 | 81.8 |
| | Republican | Jorge Sotolongo | 731 | 18.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Tony Vargas (incumbent) | 7,386 | 77.9 |
| | Republican | Jorge Sotolongo | 2,098 | 22.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 9

Sara Howard (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 9th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Cavanaugh | 3,911 | 46.0 |
| | Democratic | Marque Snow | 3,435 | 40.4 |
| | Democratic | Mark Vondrasek | 1,152 | 13.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | John Cavanaugh | 8,461 | 54.1 |
| | Democratic | Marque Snow | 7,170 | 45.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 11

Ernie Chambers (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 11th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Fred Conley | 1,444 | 35.1 |
| | Democratic | Terrell McKinney | 767 | 18.7 |
| | Democratic | Dennis Womack | 611 | 14.9 |
| | Democratic | Teela Mickles | 503 | 12.2 |
| | Democratic | Gwen Easter | 346 | 8.4 |
| | Democratic | Cornelius Williams | 300 | 7.3 |
| | Republican | John Sciara | 139 | 3.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Terrell McKinney | 6,359 | 63.8 |
| | Democratic | Fred Conley | 3,601 | 36.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Independent Democrat | Democratic gain from Independent Democrat | Democratic gain from Independent Democrat | Democratic gain from Independent Democrat |

### District 13

Nebraska's 13th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Justin Wayne (incumbent) | 6,477 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Justin Wayne (incumbent) | 11,771 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 15

Nebraska's 15th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lynne Walz (incumbent) | 6,197 | 68.7 |
| | Republican | David Rogers | 2,817 | 31.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Lynne Walz (incumbent) | 9,186 | 59.6 |
| | Republican | David Rogers | 6,223 | 40.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 17

Nebraska's 17th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joni Albrecht (incumbent) | 3,963 | 72.7 |
| | Democratic | Sheryl Lindau | 1,489 | 27.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Joni Albrecht (incumbent) | 8,310 | 68.0 |
| | Democratic | Sheryl Lindau | 3,907 | 32.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 19

Jim Scheer (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 19th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Flood | 8,346 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Mike Flood | 15,519 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 21

Nebraska's 21st Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Hilgers (incumbent) | 5,150 | 59.1 |
| | Democratic | Brodey Weber | 2,379 | 27.3 |
| | Democratic | Joseph Couch | 1,184 | 13.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Mike Hilgers (incumbent) | 10,157 | 54.96 |
| | Democratic | Brodey Weber | 8,325 | 45.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 23

Nebraska's 23rd Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bruce Bostelman (incumbent) | 5,703 | 62.4 |
| | Democratic | Helen Raikes | 3,430 | 37.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Bruce Bostelman (incumbent) | 11,337 | 62.1 |
| | Democratic | Helen Raikes | 6,905 | 37.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 25

Nebraska's 25th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Suzanne Geist (incumbent) | 10,407 | 71.5 |
| | Democratic | Stephany Pleasant | 4,151 | 28.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Suzanne Geist (incumbent) | 16,443 | 66.7 |
| | Democratic | Stephany Pleasant | 8,207 | 33.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 27

Nebraska's 27th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Anna Wishart (incumbent) | 5,803 | 71.3 |
| | Republican | Brenda Bickford | 2,340 | 28.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Anna Wishart (incumbent) | 10,173 | 64.4 |
| | Republican | Brenda Bickford | 5,612 | 35.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 29

Kate Bolz (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 29th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jacob Campbell | 3,886 | 32.4 |
| | Democratic | Eliot Bostar | 3,236 | 27.0 |
| | Democratic | Jennifer Carter | 2,702 | 22.5 |
| | Democratic | Neal Clayburn | 1,023 | 8.5 |
| | Republican | Lisa Lee | 881 | 7.3 |
| | Nonpartisan | Michael Connely | 263 | 2.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Eliot Bostar | 11,167 | 53.1 |
| | Republican | Jacob Campbell | 9,869 | 46.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 31

Rick Kolowski (incumbent) retired.
Nebraska's 31st Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rich Pahls | 4,156 | 37.9 |
| | Democratic | Tim Royers | 3,925 | 35.8 |
| | Democratic | Melanie Williams | 1,487 | 13.6 |
| | Republican | Mark Gruenewald | 1,069 | 9.7 |
| | Democratic | Alexander Martin | 337 | 3.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Rich Pahls | 10,727 | 52.8 |
| | Democratic | Tim Royers | 9,608 | 47.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 33

Nebraska's 33rd Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Halloran (incumbent) | 6,653 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Steve Halloran | 12,893 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 35

Nebraska's 35th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Quick (incumbent) | 4,009 | 62.5 |
| | Republican | Raymond Aguilar | 2,401 | 37.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Raymond Aguilar | 6,683 | 53.6 |
| | Democratic | Dan Quick (incumbent) | 5,777 | 46.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 37

Nebraska's 37th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Lowe (incumbent) | 6,286 | 77.1 |
| | Libertarian | Mercadies Damratowski | 1,865 | 22.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | John Lowe (incumbent) | 12,903 | 75.7 |
| | Libertarian | Mercadies Damratowski | 4,134 | 24.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 39

Nebraska's 39th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lou Ann Linehan (incumbent) | 8,355 | 61.7 |
| | Independent Democrat | Allison Heimes | 5,176 | 38.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Lou Ann Linehan (incumbent) | 15,367 | 56.0 |
| | Independent Democrat | Allison Heimes | 12,087 | 44.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 41

Nebraska's 41st Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Briese (incumbent) | 8,355 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Tom Briese (incumbent) | 15,855 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 43

Nebraska's 43rd Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Brewer (incumbent) | 8,043 | 61.2 |
| | Republican | Tanya Storer | 5,100 | 38.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Tom Brewer (incumbent) | 10,688 | 57.9 |
| | Republican | Tanya Storer | 7,760 | 42.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 45

Sue Crawford (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 45th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Susan Hester | 4,158 | 51.0 |
| | Republican | Rita Sanders | 3,999 | 49.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Rita Sanders | 9,224 | 53.8 |
| | Democratic | Susan Hester | 7,919 | 46.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 47

Nebraska's 47th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Erdman (incumbent) | 4,158 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Steve Erdman (incumbent) | 14,964 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 49

John Murante (elected in 2016) resigned when elected Treasurer of Nebraska in 2018. Governor Pete Ricketts appointed Andrew LaGrone to fill the vacancy.
Nebraska's 49th Legislative District Election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jen Day | 5,414 | 53.1 |
| | Republican | Andrew LaGrone (incumbent) | 4,787 | 46.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | Jen Day | 12,524 | 50.5 |
| | Republican | Andrew LaGrone (incumbent) | 12,258 | 49.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |