Democrat Ousts Republican in Election Upset

The three-term Republican mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, was ousted by a Democrat in an election upset on Tuesday night.

Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr., a Democrat and former deputy chief of police for Omaha, defeated Republican Mayor Jean Stothert, who was vying for a fourth term. Ewing will become Omaha's first black mayor.

"Tonight, we embark on a new chapter," Ewing told supporters, according to the Nebraska Examiner. "Together we will build an Omaha that offers opportunity for the 'good life' — to everyone."

Why It Matters

The victory shows positive signs for the Democratic Party ahead of future elections, including the November 2026 midterms.

Ewing's election marks the first time the city has had a Democratic mayor since 2013, when Jim Suttle was in office.

Nebraska leans Republican, but Omaha is more mixed and is known as the "blue dot". President Donald Trump won the district in 2016, but lost it to the Democrats in 2020 and 2024.

What To Know

On Tuesday night, Ewing led Stothert by about 10,900 votes, with some 87,000 ballots recorded.

Stothert — who has served as Omaha's mayor for 12 years — said in her concession speech: "Tonight, I'm very proud, grateful and hopeful. Proud of 12 years of success. I'm grateful for your support, your friendship and your trust. And I'm hopeful that the momentum we have created will continue."

Jim Pillen, the Republican Governor of Nebraska, added: "Elections matter. Leadership matters. Conservative leadership matters. I hope that all of us can take a bite into that apple and make sure we don't forget, and make sure that we play a role."

What People Are Saying

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin congratulated Ewing for his victory, saying: "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."

He added: "After tonight, vulnerable House Republicans like Don Bacon are on notice."

Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said Ewing's victory represented "historic progress."

"As a public servant for 43 years, Mayor-elect Ewing's commitment to the people of the great state of Nebraska speaks for itself, and I have no doubt that Omaha's future is bright under his leadership," she said. "My fellow Nebraskans: We made historic progress tonight, and tomorrow, the hard work continues on as we look to 2026. Democrats are here to do the work for the people."

What Happens Next

Omaha is likely to emerge as a battleground area in the U.S. House of Representatives midterm elections next year.

Republican Representative Don Bacon, who represents Nebraska's 2nd congressional district including Omaha and its suburbs, is up for reelection.