Omaha made history on Tuesday by electing the city’s first Black mayor and by doing so ended more than a decade of Republican control of Nebraska’s largest city.
Douglas County, Neb., Treasurer John Ewing Jr. (D) ousted Republican Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, the city’s first female mayor who was seeking a record fourth term.
Although the mayor’s office is nonpartisan, the candidates made it clear to voters that Stothert is a Republican and Ewing is a Democrat.
The race initially focused on local issues, but it became nationalized in the final stages as Stothert ran ads criticizing Ewing for supporting transgender athletes and gender-affirming care for minors.
Ewing fired back with ads tying Stothert to Trump, showing the mayor on a split screen with the president and saying, “Let’s say no to the chaos and elect a mayor who will actually get things done,” The Associated Press reports.
At her election night event, Stothert said she called Ewing and conceded in the race, according to KETV.
“I called John Ewing, and I congratulated him,” Stothert said. “John Ewing is inheriting tonight a great city, and we leave a strong foundation for the city that we love. We are grateful and we are hopeful.”
Republican Rep Don Bacon, who represents Nebraska’s second congressional district, congratulated Ewing in a statement.
“Mayor Jean Stothert has been an absolutely great mayor for Omaha for a record 12 years. She’s helped make Omaha the best place to live in America with the fastest growing economy. Jean is my wonderful friend, and I’m confident her legacy will benefit the city of Omaha for decades to come,” he said. “I congratulate John Ewing on his victory. We will work together to serve the great citizens of Omaha.”
Democrats see Ewing’s victory as a positive sign heading into the 2026 midterms where Bacon is one of the party’s top targets.
“From coast to coast, from blue to purple to even red states, Democrats are overwhelmingly outperforming Republicans in nearly every election held this year — as voters condemn Republicans’ plot to attack Social Security and health care while hiking prices on working families every chance they get,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said. “After tonight, vulnerable House Republicans like Don Bacon are on notice.”
