Pillen Makes It 19 for 19

In Nebraska’s Republican gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, incumbent Jim Pillen cruised to a 66.2-point victory in a five-candidate field as he seeks a second term this November. Pillen’s victory marked the 19th successful renomination bid by a sitting Nebraska GOP governor out of 19 attempts dating back to the state’s first primary in 1908 when Republican Governor George Sheldon won without opposition. Overall, Nebraska governors are 30 for 31 in securing their party’s nomination during the primary era with only Democrat Ashton Schallenberger falling short in 1910 – losing by 0.6 points to Omaha Mayor James Dahlman.