By Jim Ellis — Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Nebraska
The big story emerging from the Nebraska primary is whether Cindy Burbank, who last night overwhelmingly won the Democratic primary with 90 percent of the vote over Pastor Bill Forbes, will now withdraw from the race, thereby giving Independent Dan Osborn a clear path to challenge Sen. Pete Ricketts (R) in the general election.
Controversy arose over pre-primary comments she made about endorsing Osborn if she were to become the Democratic nominee before exiting the race. Those remarks prompted the Secretary of State to disqualify her candidacy, arguing that she had violated Nebraska’s candidate oath, which requires individuals seeking office to pledge that they will serve if nominated and elected.
Burbank sued to retain her place on the ballot and prevailed in court. At the time of her reinstatement, she again pledged to remain in the race and serve if elected. Whether she ultimately keeps that promise remains to be seen.
It is clear that Burbank, who raised less than $5,000 for her statewide primary campaign, is unlikely to mount a significant challenge against Sen. Ricketts. Osborn, by contrast, has already raised more than $4 million for his campaign and is clearly emerging as Sen. Ricketts’ principal opponent.
In the House races, the 2nd District Democratic primary is ending in a close contest between political consultant Denise Powell and state Sen. John Cavanaugh (D-Omaha). It appears Powell will upset Sen. Cavanaugh who was considered the favorite for the nomination.
With about 6,300 votes remaining to be counted, Powell led 38.9 – 36.8 percent. The eventual winner, presumably Powell, will advance to the general election to face Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding, who was unopposed in the Republican primary.
The 2nd District represents a prime Democratic conversion opportunity from an electorate that twice opposed President Trump and where Republican incumbent Don Bacon is retiring after what will be 10 years of service in the US House.
In the 1st Congressional District, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Chris Backemeyer won the Democratic primary and will now challenge incumbent Rep. Mike Flood (R-Norfolk) in the general election.
In the 3rd CD, which stretches across the width of the state from the Wyoming and Colorado borders to Iowa and Missouri, veteran Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Gering) will face agribusiness associate Becky Stille in the general election. Nebraska’s 3rd District is one of the safest Republican seats in the country. Rep. Mike Flood is also considered a prohibitive favorite for re-election.
In the Governor’s race, incumbent Jim Pillen won renomination in the Republican primary with more than 75 percent of the vote. His general election opponent will be former state Sen. Lynne Walz (D), a cousin of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the former Democratic Vice Presidential nominee.
West Virginia
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito won an easy Republican primary victory last night in the Mountain State, scoring a 66 percent win over state Sen. Tom Willis (R-Berkeley) and four minor intra-party opponents.
In the general election, she will face former Morgantown City Councilwoman Rachel Fetty-Anderson who secured a 33-27 percent victory over former state Senate President Jeff Kessler and three lesser-known Democratic candidates. Sen. Capito now becomes a prohibitive favorite in the general election.
In the congressional races, 1st District Rep. Carol Miller (R-Huntington) will square off against retired public policy analyst Vince George, who won the Democratic primary.
In northern District 2, the new Democratic nominee is political organizer Ace Parsi, who scored a close 40-38 percent victory over educator Stephanie Spears Tomana. Parsi will now face freshman Rep. Riley Moore (R-Harpers Ferry), who was unopposed for renomination.
Along with Sen. Capito, both Reps. Miller and Moore are strong favorites in the general election.