Brett Lindstrom, former Omaha state senator and recent GOP congressional candidate, is exploring a nonpartisan run for Nebraska governor, the latest development shaking up the 2026 race just weeks before the filing deadline.
In an exclusive interview on the Lincoln-based Dan Parsons Show, Lindstrom revealed he is seriously considering a governor’s bid without affiliating with any party. Although he has not formally launched his campaign or begun signature collection, he confirmed the option is now on the table as a path forward.
“Mathematically it can work,” Lindstrom said, referring to the signature requirement to qualify as a nonpartisan candidate. To get on the ballot, he or a campaign representative must collect at least 4,000 signatures by August 3, including 750 from registered voters in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts.
Lindstrom’s political journey has been notable. He stepped away from the Nebraska Republican Party in March after expressing discomfort with increasing political polarization nationally and within his home state. Earlier in 2026, he dropped out of the GOP primary for Congress in the Omaha-based 2nd District, citing frustration with divisiveness.
In 2022, Lindstrom placed third in a crowded GOP gubernatorial primary behind incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen and agribusinessman Charles Herbster. His potential independent run now presents a unique challenge to Pillen, who is widely expected to cruise to a second term given Nebraska’s 2-to-1 Republican voter registration advantage.
Despite the GOP’s strong numbers, Pillen has faced multiple controversies and polls showing him as one of the nation’s least popular governors. Lindstrom’s entry as a nonpartisan could introduce new dynamics in both the primary and general election landscapes.
Currently, Gov. Pillen faces several GOP challengers including Sheila Korth-Focken, Jacy Todd, Sal Holguin, John Walz, and Gary L. Rogge. The likely Democratic nominee is former state senator Lynne Walz of Fremont.
Throughout his time in the Nebraska legislature from 2015 to 2023, Lindstrom was known as a swing vote on major issues such as the death penalty repeal and tax reforms benefiting Social Security recipients. His congressional campaign emphasized a “pragmatic” approach rejecting partisan gridlock, an ethos that appears to be guiding his current political thinking.
Asked why he left the Republican Party, Lindstrom said, “We are at about as polarized a position politically as we’ve been in some time, and I just didn’t feel comfortable participating in that type of philosophy.”
So far, Lindstrom has not started official signature drives for the nonpartisan option, but he indicated he is seriously considering the move. “If I do, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m running,” he noted, keeping options open as the August 3 filing deadline approaches.
Meanwhile, Omaha attorney Bryan Slone, another registered nonpartisan and former Nebraska Chamber of Commerce CEO, confirmed he will not be running for statewide office this cycle. Slone said he remains open to future opportunities but is currently focused on personal and professional projects.
Nebraska’s political observers are watching closely as this nonpartisan gubernatorial possibility could reframe the election, defying the traditional GOP-versus-Democrat dynamic and potentially impacting voter turnout and campaign strategies.
Early voting for Nebraska’s May 12 primary is underway, with the general election slated for November 3. Lindstrom’s evolving political path and the filing deadline in just weeks signal a critical moment for Nebraska’s governor’s race—and a unique development with national resonance on the future of partisan politics.
This report includes contributions from Nebraska Examiner Senior Reporter Cindy Gonzalez. For questions or more information, contact Editor Aaron Sanderford at [email protected].
