Governor Jim Pillen continues to collect endorsements for his 2026 re-election campaign, securing Tuesday his first cosign from the State Troopers Association of Nebraska (STAN).
STAN serves as a labor union and representative body for Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) troopers. The organization negotiates labor contracts, represents members’ interests regarding pay and benefits, and acts as a collective voice on legislative issues.
“Over the last several years and through his first term as governor, Governor Pillen has done an excellent job in working with the Troopers Association, fulfilling the promises and conversations we’ve had and addressing the issues that have really meant the most to troopers across the state,” said Lucas Bolton, an NSP criminal investigator and legislative liaison.
Bolton praised Pillen for raising pay for troopers, sergeants, and investigators by 22.1%, as well as enhancing employee benefits and bolstering recruitment.
NSP has struggled to maintain recruitment numbers in recent years, graduating its smallest class ever of just six new troopers in winter of 2023.
Bolton told KLIN News that NSP currently has between 60-70 trooper vacancies waiting to be filled across the state. Pillen said reaching a force of 500 total troopers was a “big step” with a long-term goal of 550. The Governor and NSP officials said “technological advancements” will play a key role in addressing staffing shortages.
“A gigantic priority for Joe [Kelly] and I is making sure Blue is taken care of and making sure that we keep Nebraskans safe,” said Pillen, accepting the endorsement. “We’re incredibly grateful and humbled.”
“We’re real honored to receive this endorsement—especially for me—from an organization that I worked almost 35 years with,” said Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, Pillen’s running mate. Kelly previously worked as chief of the Criminal Bureau in the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and was appointed by Trump in 2018 to serve as United States Attorney for Nebraska. He served in that role until 2021.
Tuesday’s announcement marks Pillen’s first endorsement from STAN, which in 2022 endorsed Charles Herbster in the Republican primary. In 2018, STAN endorsed then-state Sen. Bob Krist, the Democratic candidate for governor, and criticized incumbent Republican Pete Ricketts.
Herbster, the CEO of Conklin Company Inc. and close confidant to President Donald Trump, ran a largely self-funded campaign and was the first major Republican candidate endorsed by Trump to lose in a 2022 GOP primary. The agribusiness has said he is considering a second run for governor in 2026.
If Herbster runs again, Pillen will leverage two endorsements previously associated with Herbster. In November, Trump endorsed Pillen in a post on Truth Social, saying the incumbent Republican “…is a friend, fighter, and WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
In a statement, Herbster said he understands the President’s endorsement strategy and would still explore a run for governor. As 2025 wanes, Herbster has yet to officially announce a bid.
“President Trump’s numbers are 84% in the state of Nebraska. His endorsement’s a big deal,” said Pillen. “We’re grateful for it.”
Pillen has also been endorsed by former Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, a Republican. The Governor’s campaign team said additional state and national endorsements will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Candidate filing for the 2026 election opens Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.