The 2016 Nebraska state elections were held on November 8, 2016. Voters elected all three of Nebraska’s representatives to the United States House of Representatives, along with half of the members of the Nebraska Legislature. Elections were also held for seats on the Nebraska Public Service Commission, State Board of Education, and Board of Regents. Additionally, judicial retention elections took place for the Nebraska Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Workers' Compensation Court, and lower courts. Local district elections were also on the ballot, as was a referendum on repealing the state's death penalty.
All three of Nebraska's U.S. Representatives ran for re-election. Republicans Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith successfully won re-election, but Democrat Brad Ashford was defeated for re-election.
Incumbent Commissioner Rod Johnson ran for re-election. He was challenged in the Republican primary by Tammy Cheatum and Dakota Della, but defeated both easily, winning 64% of the vote.[1] In the general election, Johnson faced no challenger and won uncontested.
Incumbent Public Service Commissioner Jerry Vap ran for re-election to another term. He was challenged in the Republican primary by rancher Mary Ridder. Vap campaigned for re-election on his experience, arguing that he was "the most qualified person to serve the citizens of Nebraska on the Public Service Commission," and pointed to his work in upgrading 911 services and expanding broadband internet coverage.[4] Ridder, meanwhile, argued that she would bring a "valuable rural and landowner perspective" to the Commission.[5] The race between Vap and Ridder was too close to call on election night, with Ridder in a slight lead, and produced an automatic recount, which confirmed that she defeated Vap for nomination by 46 votes.[6] In the general election, Ridder faced no challenger and won unopposed.
Incumbent Board member Lillie Larsen declined to run for re-election in the 1st district, which included most of metropolitan Lincoln.[7] Two retired educators—Stephanie Bohlke-Schulte and Patricia A. Koch Johns—ran against physician Bob Rauner. Though the race was formally nonpartisan, Bohlke-Schulte ran as a Republican, Koch Johns as a Democrat, and Rauner as a "nonpartisan." During the campaign, the candidates agreed on their opposition to charter schools and standardized testing, and the sharpest divide was over comprehensive sex education. Koch Johns and Rauner favored comprehensive sex education, while Bohlke-Schulte opposed it.[8] Koch Johns and Bohlke-Schulte narrowly defeated Rauner to win first and second place in the nonpartisan primary, and advanced to the general election, where Koch Johns narrowly defeated Bohlke-Schulte, 52-48%, to win her first term on the Board.
Incumbent Board member Glen A. Flint, who was appointed to the Board in 2014 by then-Governor Dave Heineman, ran for re-election to a full term. He was challenged by teacher Lisa Fricke,[9] who had the support of the Nebraska State Education Association. Though the race was formally nonpartisan, Flint ran as a Republican and Fricke as a Democrat.[10] Fricke outpaced Flint in the nonpartisan primary and then defeated him in a landslide in the general election, winning 65% of the vote.
Incumbent Board member Rachel Wise ran for re-election and won another term unopposed.
Incumbent Board member John Witzel ran for re-election and was elected unopposed.
Incumbent Regent Kent Schroeder declined to run for re-election. Agribusiness executive Paul Kenney, businesswoman Mary George, and attorney Marsha Fangmeyer ran to succeed him.[11] In the nonpartisan primary, Kenney placed first and Fangmeyer narrowly defeated George for second place, enabling her to advance to the general election. Kenney defeated Fangmeyer with 58% of the vote.
Incumbent Regent Bob Phares ran for re-election and faced no opposition.