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Pillen signs JD Vance's Pledge to Protect Americans from Fraud
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN): On Oct. 15, Gov. Jim Pillen signed onto Vice President JD Vance’s Pledge to Protect Americans from Fraud.
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SmithUpdated Oct 16, 2026, 2:28 PM ET
Jim Pillen, a Republican veterinarian and livestock producer who has been governor of Nebraska since 2023, is running for a second term in 2026.
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Recent media coverage for Jim Pillen.
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Northeast Nebraska judge retiring this month after serving 20 years
MADISON COUNTY, Neb. (KTIV) - One of the County Court Judges for the Seventh Judicial District, Ross A. Stoffer is set to retire at the end of this month.
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EXIM Reiterates Target to Finance Approximately 65% of Elk Creek Project Upfront CAPEX
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen praised the persistence behind the Elk Creek Project and its role in strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains.
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Federal Government Approves Nebraska’s Plan to Restrict Inappropriate Purchases through Taxpayer Funds
Nebraska is the second state in the nation to take this step, establishing a model for other states seeking to strengthen safeguards on public assistance funds.
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Local4’s Four Things You Need to Know for October 15, 2026
Democratic candidate for governor Lynne Walz was in the tri-cities campaigning earlier this week, and now Republican incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen will be in central western Nebraska on official business. Gov.
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Gov. Jim Pillen says he's focused on kids, taxes, agriculture
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is hoping the voters reelect him to another four-year term.
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LIVE THURSDAY: Gov. Pillen in North Platte to sign executive order pertaining to public safety
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Governor Jim Pillen will travel to central Nebraska on Thursday for a series of stops in the communities of North Platte, Imperial, McCook and Holdrege.
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Pillen highlights initiative to bring veterans and their families to Nebraska
Gov. Jim Pillen highlighted a new statewide initiative aimed at attracting and retaining military service members who have been recently discharged.
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Gov. Pillen, agency leaders highlight ‘Good Life is Calling Veterans’ initiative
NEBRASKA: Governor Jim Pillen was joined by leaders and representatives from several state agencies and post-secondary institutions to highlight a new, multi-agency initiative to bring discharging U.S.
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Governor announces 'The Good Life is Calling' veterans program | News
Cloudy with periods of rain. High near 55F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Higher wind gusts possible..
No story this week names this candidate.
- Born
- December 31, 1955
- Birthplace
- Columbus, Nebraska
- Education
- Lakeview Junior-Senior High School (1974)
University of Nebraska–Lincoln (Bachelor of Science in animal science)
Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
Biography & Campaign Analysis
Background
James Douglas Pillen was born on December 31, 1955, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Dale and Dorothy Pillen, who were farmers.
After finishing Lakeview Junior-Senior High School in 1974, he played in the defensive backfield for coach Tom Osborne's Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1975 to 1978, and in 2004 he entered the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.
He studied animal science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, earning a Bachelor of Science, and completed his veterinary doctorate (DVM) at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Career
Pillen has practiced as a veterinarian and chairs Pillen Family Farms, a family business that acquired DNA Genetics in 2003. He has also led the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce as president and the Columbus Community Hospital board as chair. He was a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents between 2013 and 2023, serving as its vice-chair in 2018 and chair in 2020.
In the Republican primary for governor held on May 10, 2022, Pillen took about 33.75% to win the nomination over Charles Herbster, Brett Lindstrom and Theresa Thibodeau, with the support of Pete Ricketts, then governor, and of former Governor Kay A. Orr.
With former U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Kelly as his running mate, he won the general election with 59.2% of the vote against Democrat Carol Blood and Libertarian Scott Zimmerman.
He took office as the 41st governor of Nebraska on January 5, 2023, and a week later appointed Ricketts to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Ben Sasse.
2026 race
Pillen is seeking a second term as governor of Nebraska. In the primary election of May 12, 2026, he won the Republican nomination with 76% of the vote. His Democratic opponent in the general election on November 3, 2026, is former state senator Lynne Walz, who won her party's primary with 91%.