Jim Pillen is the Governor of Nebraska. He assumed office on January 5, 2023. His current term ends on January 7, 2027. On May 29, 2025, Pillen announced he would seek re-election in 2026. Pillen said he would run on a joint ticket with Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly. Pillen received a bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska in 1979 and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University in 1983. He began his career as a veterinarian. In 1993, Pillen founded Pillen Family Farms, an agribusiness company focused on pig farming. Pillen was first elected to political office in 2012 when he won the election to represent District 3 on the Nebraska Board of Regents, which oversees the University of Nebraska. In 2018, he ran unopposed and was re-elected to the position. Pillen is the 41st governor of Nebraska. He won the 2022 Republican primary for the nomination with 33.9% of the vote, followed by Charles Herbster with 29.9%, and Brett Lindstrom with 26.1%. Pillen was endorsed by term-limited incumbent Governor Pete Ricketts in the primary. Pillen went on to win the general election with 59.2% of the vote. In a campaign ad, Pillen said, "Nebraska is where neighbors take care of each other, not government. That's the Nebraska way. It's where honesty is more important than being politically correct. It's where hard work and risk-taking are rewarded, not punished. It's where people think for themselves and problem-solve through the unthinkable."
