A distant cousin of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has launched a Democratic campaign for governor in Nebraska.
“This campaign is all about bringing out neighbors together again,” Lynne Walz said Wednesday in a campaign announcement video. “I’m ready for a change, and I think Nebraskans are too.”
Lynne Walz, who is married to the embattled Minnesota governor’s third cousin, is the first Democrat to announce a bid to unseat Republican Gov. Jim Pillen.
A Democrat has not served as Nebraska’s governor since former Sen. Ben Nelson held the role from 1992 to 1999. Pillen, a first-term governor who won with 59.9% of the vote, received President Donald Trump’s endorsement for his reelection campaign in November.
Lynne Walz served in the Nebraska state legislature from 2018 to 2025. In 2018, she appeared on the ticket for lieutenant governor alongside Bob Krist, but the pair lost to then-Gov. Pete Ricketts.
In her campaign announcement, Lynne Walz said she started an exploratory committee a few months ago and spent her time canvassing neighborhoods to hear from residents.
“We are all in for Lynne Walz for Nebraska governor! Lynne has the experience that is needed to lead our state. Her rural roots will serve her well as she tackles the issues affecting everyday Nebraskans,” the Nebraska Democratic Party said in a post on Bluesky following her announcement.
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