By Kristen Mathews
Omaha, Nebraska: Six contested primaries were held May 13, 2014 for state executive offices up for election. The office of the Nebraska Secretary of State was the only position without a contested primary. In that race the incumbent, Republican John Gale, will face Libertarian Ben Backus in the general election. Of the six state executive positions appearing on the ballot in November, only two incumbents are running for re-election. Secretary of State Gale is one, the other, and only contested state executive incumbent in the Nebraska primary, is Nebraska Treasurer Don Stenberg. Current Governor of Nebraska, Dave Heineman, is term limited from seeking re-election. Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning and Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley both lost in the primary for the office of Governor, and Nebraska Public Service Commissioner Anne C. Boyle is retiring at the end of her term.[1]
Nebraska Governor
- See also: Nebraska Gubernatorial and Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014
In a tight race, businessman Pete Ricketts beat current Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning in the Republican primary by approximately 1500 votes. Ricketts will face Democrat Chuck Hassebrook and Libertarian Mark G. Elworth Jr. in the general election. Both Hassebrook and Elworth were uncontested in the primary.[1]
Nebraska Attorney General
- See also: Nebraska attorney general election, 2014
The only race in which there was both a contested Republican and Democratic primary on May 13th was for the office of Nebraska Attorney General. Current incumbent Jon Bruning (R) is running for Governor of Nebraska. Republican Doug Peterson and Democrat Janet Stewart will face each other in the general election.[1]
Republican Primary
Democratic Primary
Nebraska Treasurer
- See also: Nebraska down ballot state executive elections, 2014
Don Stenberg, who maintained a large lead over challenger Christopher Costello, will face Democrat Michael O'Hara and Libertarian Michael Knebel in the general election. Both O'Hara and Knebel were uncontested in the primary. Stenberg, one of only two Nebraska state executive incumbents appearing on the November ballot, was the only contested state executive incumbent in the May 13th primary.[1]
Nebraska Auditor
- See also: Nebraska down ballot state executive elections, 2014
Charlie Janssen will face Democrat Amanda McGill in the general election. McGill was uncontested in the primary election.[1]
Nebraska Public Service Commissioner
- See also: Nebraska down ballot state executive elections, 2014
A Democratic primary was held for one seat on the Public Service Commission. Democratic winner Crystal Rhoades will face Republican John Sieler in the general election. Sieler was uncontested in the Republican primary.[1]
See also
External links
Pete Ricketts 
