Jean Stothert

This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jean Stothert

Prior offices

Millard Board of Education At-large

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Omaha City Council District 5

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Mayor of Omaha

Successor: John Ewing Jr.

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Report an officeholder change

Compensation

Base salary

$102,312/year

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 13, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Seattle Pacific University

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Jean Stothert was the Mayor of Omaha in Nebraska. She assumed office on June 10, 2013. She left office on June 9, 2025.

Stothert ran for re-election for Mayor of Omaha in Nebraska. She lost in the general election on May 13, 2025.

Though Omaha's elections are nonpartisan, Stothert identified as a Republican in her filing for the 2017 election. Stothert was one of 28 Republican mayors in the nation's 100 largest cities by population at the time of the 2017 election.

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Stothert received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Seattle Pacific University. Before running for public office, Stothert worked as a critical care nurse, nursing manager, and head of the cardiovascular surgery department at St. Louis University. As of March 2021, Stothert was a member of the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency Board of Directors and the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Before becoming mayor, Stothert was a member of the Omaha City Council from 2009 to 2013 and a member of the Millard Board of Education from 1997 to 2009. During her last three years on the Millard Board of Education, she served as president.

Elections

2025

See also: Mayoral election in Omaha, Nebraska (2025)

General election

General election for Mayor of Omaha

John Ewing Jr. defeated incumbent Jean Stothert and Jerome Wallace Sr. in the general election for Mayor of Omaha on May 13, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Ewing Jr. (Nonpartisan)	56.8	53,671
		Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)	42.9	40,531
	Submit photo	Jerome Wallace Sr. (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	267

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 94,469
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Omaha

Incumbent Jean Stothert and John Ewing Jr. defeated Mike McDonnell, Jasmine Harris, and Terry Brewer in the primary for Mayor of Omaha on April 1, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)	36.2	27,245
✔		John Ewing Jr. (Nonpartisan)	32.7	24,605
		Mike McDonnell (Nonpartisan)	20.0	15,039
		Jasmine Harris (Nonpartisan)	10.2	7,706
		Terry Brewer (Nonpartisan)	0.7	563
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	50

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 75,208
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Stothert in this election.

2021

See also: Mayoral election in Omaha, Nebraska (2021)

General election

General election for Mayor of Omaha

Incumbent Jean Stothert defeated RJ Neary in the general election for Mayor of Omaha on May 11, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)	64.4	62,646
		RJ Neary (Nonpartisan)	34.8	33,822
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	859

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 97,327
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Omaha

The following candidates ran in the primary for Mayor of Omaha on April 6, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)	56.6	47,976
✔		RJ Neary (Nonpartisan)	15.5	13,166
		Jasmine Harris (Nonpartisan)	14.2	12,002
		Kimara Snipes (Nonpartisan)	8.8	7,472
	Submit photo	Mark Gudgel (Nonpartisan)	4.8	4,087
	Submit photo	Jerome Wallace Sr. (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	106

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 84,809
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2017

See also: Municipal elections in Omaha, Nebraska (2017)

Incumbent Jean Stothert defeated Heath Mello in the general election for mayor of Omaha.

Mayor of Omaha, General Election, 2017
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jean Stothert Incumbent	52.78%	52,509
Heath Mello	47.01%	46,761
Write-in votes	0.21%	209
Total Votes		99,479
Source: Douglas County Election Commission, "Official Results," accessed June 28, 2017

Incumbent Jean Stothert and Heath Mello defeated Taylor Royal, Ean Mikale, and Christopher Geary in the primary election for mayor of Omaha.

Mayor of Omaha, Primary Election, 2017
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jean Stothert Incumbent	43.71%	25,501
Heath Mello	41.40%	24,155
Taylor Royal	10.78%	6,289
Ean Mikale	3.05%	1,781
Christopher Geary	0.94%	547
Write-in votes	0.11%	67
Total Votes		58,340
Source: Douglas County Election Commission, "Official Results," accessed April 25, 2017

Endorsements

Stothert received the endorsement of Taylor Royal, who placed third in the April 4 primary election. She also received the endorsement of the Omaha World-Herald on May 2, 2017.

2013

Stothert defeated incumbent mayor Jim Suttle on May 14, 2013.

Mayor of Omaha, 2013
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jean Stothert	57.2%	48,290
Jim Suttle Incumbent	42.8%	36,120
Total Votes		84,410
Source: Douglass County Official Election Results

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jean Stothert did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

2021

Jean Stothert did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Stothert's campaign website stated the following:

“	You’ve made clear what’s important to you. We have learned so much after hundreds of neighborhood and community meetings, and our Town Hall listening meetings. These issues will always be our focus. Here is some of what we’ve accomplished together, and where we are headed next. COVID Response and Recovery While our city has weathered the pandemic better than most, we still have much work to do. My 2021 Priority List for COVID Recovery provides a framework to get us there. The best part? Most of this work is already underway. My 10-Point Pandemic Recovery 2021 Priorities My priorities for COVID recovery include advocacy and support for vaccine distribution and an extended mask ordinance. As a former critical care nurse, I know how important the vaccine is and I look forward to getting the shots when it’s my turn. Additional priorities include support for job training and work transition efforts, as well as significant financial assistance for those with housing insecurity. I will also continue working with the Mayor’s COVID Advisory Board, which has been operational since March 2020. This group of community leaders and health experts has provided pivotal guidance in decision-making and best practices for all of Omaha. Our 2021 priorities include youth services, small business support, mental health and health equity. We have already used various funding sources for rent and mortgage assistance, food distribution, mental health services and emergency shelter for people impacted by COVID. We will continue aligning resources with needs as we move into the closing stages of the pandemic. You can read and print copies of the checklist HERE. What we’ve done so far We activated our COVID Advisory Board in March 2020. Since then, we’ve worked closely with the Douglas County Health Department, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and many other local partners and leaders to make the best decisions for the safety and well-being of our residents and community. From March until now, I’ve held over 25 news conferences with Douglas County Health Director Adi Pour to keep you informed about how COVID was impacting our community and steps we must all take to keep our community as safe as possible. Our unemployment rate has dropped below 3.5% after jumping to over 9% last summer, but too many people are now underemployed or working multiple jobs to make ends meet. In 2021 and beyond, we will continue expanding support for job training programs and work transition efforts. We know our restaurants and small businesses have been seriously damaged by the pandemic, and to provide some relief, we waived all late fees on the city restaurant tax from March through December, 2020. I was delighted when we were able to provide a gift to the Food Bank of over $105,000, money from swimming pool admission fees, made possible by private donor support. Safer Neighborhoods and More Confidence in Public Safety No issue is more important than the safety and security of everyone who calls Omaha home. The majority of our city general fund budget is dedicated to public safety, namely the police and fire departments. Public Safety Budget Allocation Percent of Omaha General Fund Budget Dedicated to Public Safety: Omaha Police Department - 36.7% Omaha Fire Department - 26.4% Total - 63.1 Increasing Safety One of our initial goals was to add nearly 100 new police officers for a total of 902 budgeted officers. We have now met this important milestone and we’ve done it without increasing the city property tax rate. We built and staffed a new police precinct in Elkhorn to improve response times and provide better service citywide. Our department leadership has worked hard to build community trust by working with neighborhood and volunteer groups. These partners are critical to our work in reducing crime and supporting our youth. Together, We’ve Made Great Progress More highly trained police officers are on the job now than ever before Annual crime numbers for the most serious crimes (Part 1 offenses) are the lowest in a * decade, even as our city has grown. More crimes are being solved now than in the past. Police response times for 911 calls have improved and are now better than we’ve seen in over 10 years. Officer-involved shootings are the lowest on record Going forward, our goal is to make a very good police department even better. How We Will Increase Safety Further reducing the incidence of crime, especially violent crime, Expanding the department’s mental health co-responder program so more resources are directed at mental illness and its impact on illegal behavior. Providing the best equipment possible, like body-worn cameras, so officers can do their job effectively and with greater transparency, Hiring a more diverse police force, Building stronger community/officer relationships, and, Providing citizens a better way to voice issues regarding law enforcement conduct. In addition to Omaha’s 902 sworn police officers, our city has 663 committed employees in the fire department. These men and women dedicate themselves to public safety through lifesaving responsibilities like firefighting, training, education, and ambulance and emergency services. Doubling Road Repair Work for Safer Driving and a Better City Omaha’s decades-long frustration with potholes and rough roads, especially each spring when the freeze/thaw cycle damages roads quickly, required a bold initiative and the leadership to get it enacted. Road Map to Better Streets Voter approval of our “Road Map to Better Streets” plan in 2020 has provided funds for the start of new and significant road repair work that will continue for many years to come. We had to move away from temporary road patching and commit to a long-term, comprehensive plan to dedicate more resources to finally fix the roads we all drive on each day. Our plan was developed after extensive public input and community meetings. We knew Omaha taxpayers had to be partners in the solution from day one. Working together, we proposed one of the most significant financial and community improvement initiatives in history. Omaha voters overwhelmingly approved our new roads program and a future levy increase to pay for it. Our Focus for the Years Ahead Here is what we are focused on in the years ahead: Managing city finances well so we can postpone the voter-approved levy increase for street repair as long as possible, Doubling the amount of road repair work done in Omaha each and every year, Requiring reliable and competitive bids so more road repairs and resurfacing can be accomplished with the funding available, Providing $6 million in new funding each year to address Omaha’s “unimproved streets”. These are streets that were not initially built to current city standards by subdivision developers, Eliminating government regulations that slow down road repair projects, and, Ensuring faster approvals and more funding for unimproved street repairs in high poverty areas. All of the long overdue work on our roads will require our patience and it will take some time to feel like we are really catching up. This new program will require daily management and oversight to get the work done right. I am proud to have proposed this successful initiative and I would be even more proud to manage it for Omaha for the next four years! Job Growth & Economic Development While most of the economic news focuses on the many large and important development projects currently underway in our city, I am just as excited about the small businesses that are hiring, relocating, and growing right here in Omaha. Omaha Ranked #5 in the Country A recent study ranked Omaha #5 in the country in their report “Best Cities for Young Professionals”. The work ethic, low unemployment, cost of living, exciting downtown, professional growth opportunities, and recreational and entertainment options in Omaha are hard to beat. Welcoming Small Businesses One of the best parts of being mayor is welcoming small businesses as they take on new employees, expand their business, or build an addition. Supporting entrepreneurs and witnessing their passion to compete in our free enterprise system is very exciting! Workforce Bouncing Back After the Pandemic Omaha has bounced back faster than most after a rough start nationally due to the pandemic. Employment and building projects have restarted quickly and I know 2021 will be a great year for our Omaha workforce. How We Will Support Job Growth Our work to support job growth and development will include: Providing high quality support and services to the many individuals and companies we work with, from issuing building permits to providing inspection services. In 2019 alone we issued building permits exceeding $1 billion in value, Meeting the commitments we have made to the many large scale construction projects that are underway in every part of our city. These include the redevelopment of Crossroads, the Blackstone District in midtown, the 500-acre Heartwood Preserve project west and south of 144th and West Dodge Road, Avenue One at 192nd and West Dodge Road, Millwork Commons, the Builder’s District, and Capitol District projects in our downtown core. Expanding support for job training programs and work transition efforts led by many of our local non-profit organizations. Promoting our business incentives, reducing government barriers and regulations that stifle business growth, and helping our business organizations recruit business and talent to Omaha, and, Enhancing the appeal of Omaha to young professionals who want an exciting urban setting that offers entertainment, retail services, social and recreation spaces, and low-cost transit options. Tax Less and Manage the Money My commitment to providing high quality city services to taxpayers – while keeping taxes as low as possible – is clear. Keeping the City Property Tax Rate as Low as Possible There are two primary sources of city revenue, the city sales tax and the city’s portion of the local property tax. The sales tax rate remains unchanged since I first became mayor and we have lowered the city property tax rate twice. While the city portion of your property tax is smaller than some other taxing entities (and some of them have increased their rates) we are doing all we can to run Omaha efficiently and keep rates at the lowest possible level. We’ve grown the economy, expanded city boundaries, added to critical efforts like public safety, and started transportation initiatives and park improvements, all while experiencing minimal growth in the city budget and reducing the tax rate twice. That’s a record I’m proud of! My Commitment for the Next Four Years My commitment to you for the next four years includes: Preparing every city budget with transparency, Adhering to and exceeding the best financial practices for government entities, Reducing expenses when certain city functions can be merged, reduced, or eliminated. Keeping all tax rates as low as possible while still providing the responsive services you expect, and, Delaying, until absolutely required, the voter-approved levy change that is allowing our city to double road repairs every year. The Omaha Image – A More Welcoming City Over the last twenty years, Omaha has established a national reputation that should make us all proud. I know I am! The reputation we have all worked hard to earn was built on the rich history and tradition of the hardworking and dedicated people before us. Over decades, these individuals and families laid the foundation for a great and growing city and they have earned our respect and thanks. A More Engaging City Today, Omaha is a more engaging city with an even brighter future. We are a leader in business, medical services, transportation, finance, insurance and amateur athletics. I love meeting people who have just moved to Omaha and those individuals and families who have moved back after once leaving. Their impressions of Omaha are so positive and encouraging. We have all worked hard to make Omaha the best it can be. My Focus for Growth In the coming years, I’ll work hard with you to advance our growth and positive image. Here is what I believe we need to focus on: Becoming an even more welcoming city for all people and all lifestyles. Our younger workforce is especially focused on a more inclusive and open city that welcomes everyone, and where everyone feels at home. Translating our enormous success as a host city for sporting events, especially amateur athletics, into the #1 city in the country for our level of community support, well-managed events and happy teams and fans. Encouraging development in all areas of our city to expand employment, housing, and retail services in economically challenged areas of Omaha and in our many historically unique neighborhoods, Promoting Omaha’s special talents in business sectors where we excel, like our quickly growing reputation as a leader in technology. Hosting more regional and national conventions and events, an especially important goal as more travel is booked in 2021 after a pandemic-impacted 2020, Expanding entertainment and recreational opportunities, especially in our downtown. One of the projects underway is “The RiverFront” which will completely rebuild Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing, and now includes an impressive new science museum. Including the new science museum, this $400 million project – of which 90% is funded by private donations – will forever change our city. It will be our St. Louis Arch; our Chicago Millennium Park. It will start to open in 2022 and I can’t wait!	”
—Jean Stothert's campaign website (2021)

2017

See also: Ballotpedia's municipal government candidate survey

Stothert participated in Ballotpedia's 2017 survey of municipal government candidates. The following sections display her responses to the survey questions. When asked what her top priority would be if elected, the candidate made the following statement:

“	Should I have the honor of serving a second term as mayor, my top priority will continue to be enhancing public safety by supporting our police officers with best equipment and technology, expanding the number of sworn officers, establishing a new police precinct in Omaha, and working closely with community leaders and organizations to make Omaha safer.	”
—Jean Stothert (March 21, 2017)

Ranking the issues

The candidate was asked to rank the following issues by importance in the city, with 1 being the most important and 12 being the least important: city services (trash, utilities, etc.), civil rights, crime reduction/prevention, environment, government transparency, homelessness, housing, K-12 education, public pensions/retirement funds, recreational opportunities, transportation, and unemployment. This table displays this candidate's rankings from most to least important.

Issue importance ranking
Candidate's ranking	Issue	Candidate's ranking	Issue
1	Crime reduction/prevention	7	Government transparency
2	K-12 education	8	Civil rights
3	Transportation	9	Environment
4	City services	10	Unemployment
5	Public pensions/retirement funds	11	Homelessness
6	Housing	12	Recreational opportunities

Nationwide municipal issues

The candidate was asked to answer questions from Ballotpedia regarding issues facing cities across America. The questions are in the left column and the candidate's responses are in the right column. Some questions provided multiple choices, which are noted after those questions.

Question	Response
Is it important for the city’s budget to be balanced?Answer options: Not important; Not important, but required by state law; A little important; A little important, but required by state law; Important; Very important	Very important
Which level of government do you feel should set a minimum wage?Answer options: None, Local, State, Federal	State
What do you think is the best way to improve a city’s public safety? Candidates could write their own answer or choose from the following options: Increased economic opportunities, Increased police presence/activity, Harsher penalties for offenders, Public outreach/education programs	Increased police presence/activity
How do you think your city should emphasize economic development? Candidates could write their own answer or choose from the following options: Changing zoning restrictions, Create a more competitive business climate, Focusing on small business development, Instituting a citywide minimum wage, Recruiting new businesses to your city, Regulatory and licensing reforms, and tax reform	Our efforts in economic development are conducted in partnership with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. Our main areas of focus are business recruitment and retention, improving city permitting processes, improving the tax climate, making city government more accountable and transparent, and advancing job training and summer job programs. During the last four years, 12,000 new jobs have been created in Omaha. And, I am proud to have the support of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce PAC.
What is the one thing you’re most proud of about your city?	Omaha is one of the most generous cities in America. We leverage the support from individuals, businesses, and the philanthropic and non-profit community to develop large-scale public projects, support the arts and entertainment, assist the homeless and disadvantaged, improve education and recreation, and make our city more livable and beautiful.
What is the one thing you’d most like to change about your city?	My primary focus as mayor in my first term has been improving public safety, and that will continue to be my priority in a second term. We have made strong improvements in public safety the past four years and the thing I’d like to change most about Omaha is further progress on fighting crime to make our city safer, more livable, and more enjoyable.

Stothert provided additional comments with her survey responses:

“	I believe in public service and in making a difference. That is why first became a nurse, later a volunteer school board member, then an Omaha City Councilmember, and now Mayor. We started four years ago with goals and a clear vision of what we wanted to accomplish. Our goals were to make Omaha safer, make government operate more efficiently, stabilize reckless city spending, grow our city and economy, renegotiate union contacts, promote transparency, and reduce tax rates. My vision for the next four years includes a more inclusive Omaha, greater neighborhood support, innovative transportation systems, job training and support, and Working with our partners for an even more vibrant downtown, with a new riverfront as Omaha’s signature.	”
—Jean Stothert (2017)

Noteworthy events

Events and activity following the death of George Floyd

See also: Events following the death of George Floyd and responses in select cities from May 29-31, 2020

Stothert was mayor of Omaha during the weekend of May 29-31, 2020, when events and activity took place in cities across the U.S. following the death of George Floyd. Events in Omaha, Nebraska, began on Friday, May 29, 2020, at the intersection of 72nd and Dodge Sts. On May 31, Mayor Jean Stothert (R) declared a state of emergency and instituted a curfew. The same day, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced the activation of the Nebraska National Guard and deployed members to the city.

To read more about the death of George Floyd and subsequent events, click [show] to the right.

On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police officers arrested Floyd, a Black man, after receiving a call that he had made a purchase with a counterfeit $20 bill. Floyd died after Derek Chauvin, a White officer, arrived at the scene and pressed his knee onto Floyd's neck as Floyd laid face-down on the street in handcuffs. Both the Hennepin County Medical Examiner and an independent autopsy conducted by Floyd's family ruled Floyd's death as a homicide stemming from the incident. The medical examiner's report, prepared by Dr. Michael Baden and Dr. Allecia Wilson, said that it was "not a legal determination of culpability or intent, and should not be used to usurp the judicial process." On April 20, 2021, Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in relation to Floyd's death. Floyd's death was filmed and shared widely, leading to activity regarding racism, civil rights, and police use of force. The first events took place in Minneapolis-St. Paul on May 26. An event in Chicago organized by Chance the Rapper and Rev. Michael Pfleger took place the same day, making it the first major city outside of Minneapolis to host an event in response to Floyd's death.

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Mayor of Omaha 2013-2025	Succeeded by John Ewing Jr.
Preceded by -	Omaha City Council District 5 2009-2013	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Millard Board of Education At-large 2006-2009	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Millard Board of Education At-large 1998-2009	Succeeded by -