# 2018 Nebraska Legislature election

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The 2018 Nebraska State Legislature elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Nebraska voters elected state senators in the 24 even-numbered seats of the 49 legislative districts in the Nebraska Unicameral. Nebraska is unique among American states in that there is only one chamber in its state legislature, and this chamber is called the Unicameral and the State Legislature interchangeably. State senators serve four-year terms in the Nebraska Unicameral.
A top two primary election on May 15, 2018, determined which candidates would appear on the November 6 general election ballot. Each candidate technically runs as a non-partisan (i.e., no party preference).
Following the 2016 elections, Republicans maintained effective control of the Nebraska State Legislature with 32 seats. Democrats increased their numbers from 15 to 16 seats when State Senator Bob Krist of the 10th legislative district switched parties from Republican to Democrat. Furthermore, Republican state senator Jim Smith resigned from office, leaving an open seat for Republicans to defend in the 14th legislative district.
On election day 2018, the Unicameral consisted of 31 Republican seats, 16 Democratic seats, and one seat each for Independent Sen. Ernie Chambers and Libertarian Sen. Laura Ebke. The Democrats gained a net two seats, while the Republicans lost net one and the chamber's lone Libertarian was defeated.

## Summary of results by district

* Note: All Nebraska state legislative elections are technically non-partisan; therefore, parties listed here are from candidates' websites and official party endorsement lists. Candidates all appear on the ballot without party labels.
* Districts not shown were not up for election until 2020.
| State Legislative district | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| 2nd | Robert Clements | Rep | Robert Clements | Rep |
| 4th | Robert Hilkemann | Rep | Robert Hilkemann | Rep |
| 6th | Theresa Thibodeau | Rep | Machaela Cavanaugh | Dem |
| 8th | Burke Harr | Dem | Megan Hunt | Dem |
| 10th | Bob Krist | Dem | Wendy DeBoer | Dem |
| 12th | Merv Riepe | Rep | Steve Lathrop | Dem |
| 14th | Vacant | Rep | John Arch | Rep |
| 16th | Lydia Brasch | Rep | Ben Hansen | Rep |
| 18th | Brett Lindstrom | Rep | Brett Lindstrom | Rep |
| 20th | John S. McCollister | Rep | John S. McCollister | Rep |
| 22nd | Paul Schumacher | Rep | Mike Moser | Rep |
| 24th | Mark Kolterman | Rep | Mark Kolterman | Rep |
| 26th | Matt Hansen | Dem | Matt Hansen | Dem |
| 28th | Patty Pansing Brooks | Dem | Patty Pansing Brooks | Dem |
| 30th | Roy Baker | Rep | Myron Dorn | Rep |
| 32nd | Laura Ebke | Lib | Tom Brandt | Rep |
| 34th | Curt Friesen | Rep | Curt Friesen | Rep |
| 36th | Matt Williams | Rep | Matt Williams | Rep |
| 38th | John Kuehn | Rep | Dave Murman | Rep |
| 40th | Tyson Larson | Rep | Tim Gragert | Rep |
| 42nd | Mike Groene | Rep | Mike Groene | Rep |
| 44th | Dan Hughes | Rep | Dan Hughes | Rep |
| 46th | Adam Morfeld | Dem | Adam Morfeld | Dem |
| 48th | John Stinner | Rep | John Stinner | Rep |
Sources:

## Close races

| District | Winner | Party | Margin |
| 6 | Machaela Cavanaugh | Democratic (flip) | 1.9% |
| 10 | Wendy DeBoer | Democratic | 0.64% |
| 18 | Brett Lindstrom | Republican | 7.2% |
| 30 | Myron Dorn | Republican | 5.96% |

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Safe R | October 8, 2018 |

## Detailed results

Sources:

### District 2

Nebraska's 2nd Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Robert Clements (incumbent) | Robert Clements (incumbent) | 2,867 | 47.81 |
| Susan D. Lorence | Susan D. Lorence | 2,252 | 37.55 |
| James Bond | James Bond | 878 | 14.64 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,997 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Robert Clements (incumbent) | Robert Clements (incumbent) | 7,965 | 56.96 |
| Susan D. Lorence | Susan D. Lorence | 6,019 | 43.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 13,984 | 100.0 |

### District 4

Nebraska's 4th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Bob Hilkemann (incumbent) | Bob Hilkemann (incumbent) | 2,842 | 56.70 |
| Shannon Coryell | Shannon Coryell | 2,170 | 43.30 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,012 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Bob Hilkemann (incumbent) | Bob Hilkemann (incumbent) | 8,964 | 60.95 |
| Shannon Coryell | Shannon Coryell | 5,743 | 39.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 14,707 | 100.0 |

### District 6

Nebraska's 6th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent) | Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent) | 3,641 | 51.30 |
| Machaela Cavanaugh | Machaela Cavanaugh | 3,027 | 42.65 |
| Ricky Fulton | Ricky Fulton | 429 | 6.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 7,097 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Machaela Cavanaugh | Machaela Cavanaugh | 7,733 | 50.95 |
| Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent) | Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent) | 7,445 | 49.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 15,178 | 100.0 |

### District 8

Burke Harr (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 8th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Megan Hunt | Megan Hunt | 3,284 | 56.38 |
| Mina Davis | Mina Davis | 1,299 | 22.30 |
| Josh Henningsen | Josh Henningsen | 1,242 | 21.32 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,825 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Megan Hunt | Megan Hunt | 7,634 | 64.11 |
| Mina Davis | Mina Davis | 4,274 | 35.89 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 11,908 | 100.0 |

### District 10

Bob Krist (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 10th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Wendy DeBoer | Wendy DeBoer | 3,253 | 57.31 |
| Matt Deaver | Matt Deaver | 2,423 | 42.69 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,676 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Wendy DeBoer | Wendy DeBoer | 8,306 | 50.32 |
| Matt Deaver | Matt Deaver | 8,201 | 49.68 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 16,507 | 100.0 |

### District 12

Nebraska's 12th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Steve Lathrop | Steve Lathrop | 2,658 | 53.47 |
| Merv Riepe (incumbent) | Merv Riepe (incumbent) | 2,313 | 46.53 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 4,971 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Steve Lathrop | Steve Lathrop | 7,030 | 55.84 |
| Merv Riepe (incumbent) | Merv Riepe (incumbent) | 5,559 | 44.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 12,589 | 100.0 |

### District 14

Jim Smith (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 14th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| John Arch | John Arch | 3,462 | 60.02 |
| Jeff Parris | Jeff Parris | 2,306 | 39.98 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,768 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| John Arch | John Arch | 7,625 | 55.82 |
| Jeff Parris | Jeff Parris | 6,035 | 44.18 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 13,660 | 100.0 |

### District 16

Lydia Brasch (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 16th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Ben Hansen | Ben Hansen | 4,620 | 58.77 |
| Chuck Hassebrook | Chuck Hassebrook | 3,241 | 41.23 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 7,861 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Ben Hansen | Ben Hansen | 9,109 | 61.59 |
| Chuck Hassebrook | Chuck Hassebrook | 5,680 | 38.41 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 14,789 | 100.0 |

### District 18

Nebraska's 18th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Brett Lindstrom (incumbent) | Brett Lindstrom (incumbent) | 2,922 | 56.15 |
| Scott Winkler | Scott Winkler | 1,937 | 37.22 |
| Austin Hennrich | Austin Hennrich | 345 | 6.63 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,204 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Brett Lindstrom (incumbent) | Brett Lindstrom (incumbent) | 6,874 | 53.60 |
| Scott Winkler | Scott Winkler | 5,950 | 46.40 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 12,824 | 100.0 |

### District 20

Nebraska's 20th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| John S. McCollister (incumbent) | John S. McCollister (incumbent) | 4,213 | 63.23 |
| Jackie Collett | Jackie Collett | 1,968 | 29.54 |
| Chris Anne Dienstbier | Chris Anne Dienstbier | 482 | 7.23 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 6,663 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| John S. McCollister (incumbent) | John S. McCollister (incumbent) | 8,689 | 58.80 |
| Jackie Collett | Jackie Collett | 6,089 | 41.20 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 14,778 | 100.0 |

### District 22

Paul Schumacher (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 22nd Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Mike Moser | Mike Moser | 3,578 | 56.12 |
| Doug Oertwich | Doug Oertwich | 1,366 | 21.42 |
| Francis P. Kuehler | Francis P. Kuehler | 1,102 | 17.28 |
| Kenneth G. Leischner | Kenneth G. Leischner | 330 | 5.18 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 6,376 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Mike Moser | Mike Moser | 7,896 | 64.30 |
| Doug Oertwich | Doug Oertwich | 4,383 | 35.70 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 12,279 | 100.0 |

### District 24

Nebraska's 24th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Mark A. Kolterman (incumbent) | Mark A. Kolterman (incumbent) | 3,795 | 72.07 |
| Stephanie Nantkes | Stephanie Nantkes | 1,471 | 27.93 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,266 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Mark A. Kolterman (incumbent) | Mark A. Kolterman (incumbent) | 9,501 | 73.46 |
| Stephanie Nantkes | Stephanie Nantkes | 3,433 | 26.54 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 12,934 | 100.0 |

### District 26

Nebraska's 26th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Matt Hansen (incumbent) | Matt Hansen (incumbent) | 4,223 | 76.96 |
| Bob Van Valkenburg | Bob Van Valkenburg | 1,264 | 23.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,487 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Matt Hansen (incumbent) | Matt Hansen (incumbent) | 9,046 | 73.16 |
| Bob Van Valkenburg | Bob Van Valkenburg | 3,319 | 26.84 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 12,365 | 100.0 |

### District 28

Nebraska's 28th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Patty Pansing Brooks (incumbent) | Patty Pansing Brooks (incumbent) | 6,263 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 6,263 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Patty Pansing Brooks (incumbent) | Patty Pansing Brooks (incumbent) | 11,717 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 11,717 | 100.0 |

### District 30

Roy Baker (incumbent) retired.
Nebraska's 30th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Myron Dorn | Myron Dorn | 3,161 | 40.50 |
| Don Schuller | Don Schuller | 2,977 | 38.15 |
| Joe Murray | Joe Murray | 1,666 | 21.35 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 7,804 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Myron Dorn | Myron Dorn | 7,923 | 52.98 |
| Don Schuller | Don Schuller | 7,032 | 47.02 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 14,955 | 100.0 |

### District 32

Nebraska's 32nd Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Tom Brandt | Tom Brandt | 3,514 | 44.45 |
| Laura Ebke (incumbent) | Laura Ebke (incumbent) | 2,612 | 33.04 |
| Al Riskowski | Al Riskowski | 1,780 | 22.51 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 7,906 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Tom Brandt | Tom Brandt | 8,154 | 56.42 |
| Laura Ebke (incumbent) | Laura Ebke (incumbent) | 6,299 | 43.58 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 14,453 | 100.0 |

### District 34

Nebraska's 34th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Curt Friesen (incumbent) | Curt Friesen (incumbent) | 5,784 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,784 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Curt Friesen (incumbent) | Curt Friesen (incumbent) | 10,796 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 10,796 | 100.0 |

### District 36

Nebraska's 36th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Matt Williams (incumbent) | Matt Williams (incumbent) | 4,520 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 4,520 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Matt Williams (incumbent) | Matt Williams (incumbent) | 9,816 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 9,816 | 100.0 |

### District 38

John Kuehn (incumbent) retired.
Nebraska's 38th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Dave Murman | Dave Murman | 3,206 | 45.76 |
| Marsha Fangmeyer | Marsha Fangmeyer | 1,633 | 23.31 |
| Thomas Osborn | Thomas Osborn | 1,059 | 15.12 |
| Ronald L. Johnson | Ronald L. Johnson | 416 | 5.94 |
| Michael D. Combs | Michael D. Combs | 391 | 5.58 |
| Andrew Murphy | Andrew Murphy | 301 | 4.30 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 7,006 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Dave Murman | Dave Murman | 9,114 | 64.27 |
| Marsha Fangmeyer | Marsha Fangmeyer | 5,067 | 35.73 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 14,181 | 100.0 |

### District 40

Tyson Larson (incumbent) was term-limited.
Nebraska's 40th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Timothy J. Gragert | Timothy J. Gragert | 1,666 | 20.38 |
| Keith F. Kube | Keith F. Kube | 1,590 | 19.45 |
| Shane Greckel | Shane Greckel | 1,487 | 18.19 |
| Thomas E. Ferry | Thomas E. Ferry | 1,331 | 16.28 |
| Michael A. Sobotka | Michael A. Sobotka | 1,151 | 14.08 |
| Julie Thomsen | Julie Thomsen | 951 | 11.63 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 8,176 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Timothy J. Gragert | Timothy J. Gragert | 7,222 | 51.63 |
| Keith F. Kube | Keith F. Kube | 6,767 | 48.37 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 13,989 | 100.0 |

### District 42

Nebraska's 42nd Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Mike Groene (incumbent) | Mike Groene (incumbent) | 4,242 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 4,242 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Mike Groene (incumbent) | Mike Groene (incumbent) | 8,180 | 67.13 |
| Judy Pederson | Judy Pederson | 4,005 | 32.87 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 12,185 | 100.0 |

### District 44

Nebraska's 44th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Dan Hughes (incumbent) | Dan Hughes (incumbent) | 5,251 | 76.23 |
| Stephanie L. Malcolm | Stephanie L. Malcolm | 1,637 | 23.77 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 6,888 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Dan Hughes (incumbent) | Dan Hughes (incumbent) | 9,872 | 77.31 |
| Stephanie L. Malcolm | Stephanie L. Malcolm | 2,898 | 22.69 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 12,770 | 100.0 |

### District 46

Nebraska's 46th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Adam Morfeld (incumbent) | Adam Morfeld (incumbent) | 2,360 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 2,360 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| Adam Morfeld (incumbent) | Adam Morfeld (incumbent) | 5,776 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 5,776 | 100.0 |

### District 48

Nebraska's 48th Legislative District election, 2018 :
| Primary election ||||
| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| John P. Stinner (incumbent) | John P. Stinner (incumbent) | 3,773 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 3,773 | 100.0 |
| General election ||||
| John P. Stinner (incumbent) | John P. Stinner (incumbent) | 9,041 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | 9,041 | 100.0 |
* ↑ Although Nebraska's legislature is unicameral, the officeholders are called senators.
* ↑ The odd-numbered districts were elected in 2016 and would be up for election again in 2020.
* ↑ Including Sen. Smith's vacated seat in the 14th legislative district.