Several candidates announce candidacy for 2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election
August 31, 2013
By Tyler King
OMAHA, Nebraska: Several Nebraska politicians have recently declared their candidacy for the office of Nebraska Governor in 2014. Candidates who have declared thus far include Chuck Hassebrook (D), Annette Dubas (D), Charlie Janssen (R), Tom Carlson (R) and Beau McCoy (R).
Governor Dave Heineman (R) is prevented from seeking another term in office due to term limits. Heineman's lieutenant governor, Rick Sheehy, was expected to run until a scandal erupted in February 2013 that resulted in Sheehy's abrupt resignation from office, effectively ruining his chances of winning election as governor in 2014. The winner of the election will serve a 4-year term in office.
In Nebraska, gubernatorial nominees select their lieutenant governor running mate after the primary.[1]
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. In Nebraska, participation rules for primaries vary by the office up for election. State legislative primaries use a nonpartisan top-two primary system in which any voter can participate. Congressional primaries are partisan, but an unaffiliated voter may vote in the congressional primary of their choice. For all other statewide offices, a state party can determine whether it will allow unaffiliated voters to vote in its primary.[2]
As of October 2025, the Democratic Party held a semi-closed primary in which registered party members and unaffiliated voters could participate, and the Republican Party held a closed primary in which only registered party members could participate.[3][4]
Race background
Incumbent Gov. Dave Heineman is barred by term limits from seeking re-election in 2014.[5][6]. Heineman intended to enthusiastically back then-Lt. Gov Rick Sheehy, with whom he shared a winning ticket in both the 2006 and 2010 elections, as his successor, until[7]until Sheehy's resignation in Feb. 2012, causing a "deeply disappointed" Heineman to withdraw his support for his former second-in-command's campaign.[8] Days later, campaign donors reportedly began receiving refund checks in the mail, the final death knell for Sheehy’s foregone gubernatorial ambitions.[9]
With Sheehy, the previous front-runner, out of the running, other potential candidates emerged with renewed hope: A few weeks after Sheehy's resignation and subsequent withdrawal from the race, state Sen. Charlie Janssen declared his candidacy. Although he is a member of the nonpartisan of the Nebraska Legislature, Janssen is running for governor on the Republican ticket.[10]
As of August 23, 2013, the field of candidates, both declared and potential, remains extensive. For more information on 2014 state executive elections, see Ballotpedia's election coverage.
Potential Democratic candidates
Chuck Hassebrook (Declared) - Executive Director of the Center for Rural Affairs, 2012 U.S. Senate candidate[11]- Annette Dubas (Declared) - Member of the Nebraska Unicameral representing District 34.[12]
Potential Republican candidates
Charlie Janssen (Declared)- State Senator, District 15[13][14]- Tom Carlson (Declared)- State Senator, District 38[15]
- Beau McCoy - Member of the Nebraska State Legislature, representing District 39 since 2009.[16][17][18]
- Don Stenberg - Nebraska State Treasurer[19]
- Mike Foley - Nebraska State Auditor[17]
- Pete Ricketts - 2006 Senate nominee, former Republican national committeeman, Financial executive, Co-owner of the Chicago Cubs[20]
Withdrew
- Mike Flood - Past Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature[21][22]
- Rick Sheehy- Former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska[23]
See also
- Nebraska state executive official elections, 2014
- Nebraska Gubernatorial and Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014
Footnotes
- ↑ Politics1, "Nebraska," accessed April 20, 2013
- ↑ Nebraska Legislature, "Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32–912," accessed October 27, 2025
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "How nonpartisan voting works in Nebraska primary elections," accessed October 27, 2025
- ↑ Nebraska Democratic Party, "2026 Democratic Candidates," accessed October 27, 2025
- ↑ World Herald-Bureau, "Mike Flood launches bid for governor's office in 2014," November 13, 2012
- ↑ World Herald-Bureau, "Mike Flood launches bid for governor's office in 2014," November 13, 2012
- ↑ Journal Star, "Sheehy says he will run for Nebraska governor in 2014," July 15, 2011
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, “Nebraska lt. governor resigns,” February 2, 2013
- ↑ Omaha World-Herald, “Sheehy’s campaign returns donations,” February 6, 2013
- ↑ National Review Online, "Charlie Janssen to run for Nebraska governor, February 19, 2013
- ↑ The Freemont Tribune, "Hasseback will enter 2014 governor's race," June 3, 2013
- ↑ Omaha, Democrat Annette Dubas' bid for governor stirs excitement about the race in both parties, August 9, 2013
- ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "State Sen. Charlie Janssen to run for governor; Clare won't run," February 18, 2013
- ↑ Nebraska Watchdog, "Janssen 'seriously considering' run for governor," December 13, 2012
- ↑ Fox 14 News, "State Sen. Carlson joins race for Neb. governor," July 12, 2013
- ↑ Centre Daily Times, Republican Beau McCoy to enter governor's race, August 23, 2013
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Omaha World-Herald, "Potential candidates jockey for office vacated by Sheehy," February 2, 2013
- ↑ journalstar.com, "Sen. Beau McCoy enters GOP governor race," August 23, 2013
- ↑ World Herald-Bureau, "Mike Flood launches bid for governor's office in 2014," November 13, 2012
- ↑ Journal Star, Waiting for shoes to fall, July 21, 2013
- ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Mike Flood drops bid for governor; wife ill," December 6, 2012
- ↑ Lincoln Journal Star, "Don Walton: Flood won't re-enter governor's race," July 7, 2013
- ↑ Omaha World-Herlad, "Sheehy's gubernatorial campaign shutting down," February 5, 2013
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