2026 University of Nebraska Board of Regents election
November 3, 2026
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3 of 8 seats on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents 5 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||
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| Elections in Nebraska |
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| Government |
The 2026 University of Nebraska Board of Regents election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect two of eight voting members of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Primary elections will be held on May 12. The election is officially nonpartisan, but candidates may affiliate with a political party.
District 1
Primary election
Candidates
Declared
Withdrawn
- Brian Maher, Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner (Republican)[4]
Declined
- Tim Clare, incumbent regent (Republican)[5]
Endorsements
Brent Comstock
- Political parties
District 2
Primary election
Candidates
Declared
Declined
- Jack Stark, incumbent regent (Republican)[7]
District 4 (special)
Elizabeth O'Connor resigned in early 2026. Former college football player Joel Makovicka was appointed to the position.[8]
Primary election
Candidates
Declared
- Larry Bradley, perennial candidate (Democratic)[8]
- Jim Rogers, candidate in 2024[3]
- Susanne Shore, first lady of Nebraska (2015–2023) (Democratic)[8]
- Michael Skocz, University of Nebraska Omaha employee (Democratic)[8]
- Justin Solomon, former University of Nebraska–Lincoln student regent (Democratic)[8]
Declined
- Joel Makovicka, incumbent board member[8]
Endorsements
Susanne Shore
- U.S. senators
- Pete Ricketts, U.S. senator from Nebraska (2023–present) (Republican; candidate's husband)[8]
References
- ^ Wendling, Zach (June 4, 2025). "Lincoln entrepreneur running for open NU Board of Regents seat in 2026". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ Wendling, Zach (August 22, 2025). "Lincoln neurosurgeon, former UNMC student regent running for NU Board of Regents in 2026". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d Wendling, Zach (March 2, 2026). "129 candidates running for 42 Nebraska statewide offices in 2026". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ Wendling, Zach (August 21, 2025). "Nebraska ed commissioner suspends 2026 campaign for NU Board of Regents". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ Dunker, Chris (April 14, 2025). "Clare won't seek fourth term as University of Nebraska regent". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "2026 Democratic Candidates". Nebraska Democratic Party. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ Dunker, Chris (February 9, 2026). "Stark won't seek second term as Omaha-area NU regent". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sanderford, Aaron (February 19, 2026). "Former Nebraska first lady Susanne Shore runs for NU regent in Omaha". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 19 February 2026.