Nebraska agri-businessman Charles Herbster, a republican candidate for governor in 2022, announced Monday he will not file to challenge Incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen in the 2026 primary.
He released the following statement on Mar. 2, the day of the state’s non-incumbent filing deadline:
“I looked long and hard at challenging Jim Pillen for the Republican nomination for governor,” Herbster said. “Over the past six months, I have held dozens of meetings with political and business leaders across the state to gauge support. While there was a great deal of verbal encouragement and nearly everyone wanted change, very few were willing to publicly support a challenge to the current administration. Anytime you take on an incumbent, you face an uphill battle. A sitting governor has a lot of power and influence, and that is a huge advantage.”
In making this decision, Herbster also cited performance concerns for other down-ballot republicans.
“Another campaign like that would hurt other candidates. This 2026 election cycle is too important, and I am not willing to put Nebraskans through that again,” he continued. “I had the funding set aside with a team in place ready to go. However, I believe my time and resources will be better spent on bringing the Nebraska Republican Party back together. I will never be afraid to hold a fellow Republican accountable. I have been critical of Governor Pillen over the past several months, and that criticism has led to several positive policy corrections. I hope the governor and his team continue to make the changes needed to start growing our state again. As critical as I have been, losing the state to a liberal Democrat would be devastating. Governor Pillen will need to step up his game to be successful in November.”
Herbster said he would continue to “champion conservative Republican values” as Chairman of Rural Americans for President Donald J. Trump—a political action committee sponsored by the President. Herbster said he remains involved with other organizations, including the America First Policy Institute Executive Committee, and as a board member of CPAC, Moms for America, Victoria’s Voice, and John C. Maxwell & Company. He is also the founder of the Nebraska First and Save Nebraska PACs and a Gold Circle member of the Council for National Policy.
Pillen will still face a group of primary challengers: Jacy Todd, Gary Rogge, Sheila Korth-Focken. Former State Sen. Lynne Walz is also running as a democrat.
The statewide primary is set for May 12th.