The flannel-clad populist from the Plains is back. In 2024, Dan Osborn, an Omaha mechanic and union leader with no political experience, chased a long-shot dream of winning a Republican-held Senate seat in ruby-red Nebraska.

Nebraska congressional candidate and Omaha State Sen. John Cavanaugh is confident Democrats can minimize impact of potentially losing his legislative seat by winning other races in 2026.

High Turnout Wide Margins recently traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the 2025 summer convening of the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions [PLEJ], and spoke with election officials from across the county — and world -- about the elections work they are doing in their communities.

Kid Governor is new to Nebraska. Fifth-grade teacher Ben Billisbach at Meadows Elementary helped organize the election. “I was really excited hearing the actual election aspect where kids got to actually vote, be a part of an actual election. And being 10 or 11 years old is pretty cool,” Billisbach said.

NEBRASKA ELECTS ITS FIRST EVER KID GOVERNOR TODAY, A FIFTH GRADER AT MEADOWS ELEMENTARY IN RALSTON WAS VOTED TO REPRESENT CLASSROOMS NATIONWIDE. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN’S PETE CUDDIHY SPOKE WITH THE STUDENT TO FIND OUT HER PRIORITIES.