2022 Bellevue, Nebraska mayoral election

2022 Bellevue mayoral election

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Nominee Rusty Hike Thomas Burns Popular vote 9,921 8,076 Percentage 55.16% 44.69%

Results by precinct: Hike:   50–60%   60–70% Burns:   40–50% Tie:   50% No Votes

Mayor before election Rusty Hike Elected mayor Rusty Hike

The 2022 Bellevue, Nebraska mayoral election took place on November 8, 2022. Incumbent Mayor Rusty Hike won re-election to a second term over City Councilman Thomas Burns with 55% of the vote.

Primary election

Candidates

• Rusty Hike, incumbent Mayor
• Thomas Burns, City Councilman
• Otmar "Buz" Stephens, Marine Corps veteran

Campaign

Incumbent Mayor Rusty Hike, a Republican, ran for re-election, citing his leadership during the 2019 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic development taking place in the area. Hike pointed to the "growth going on down south around the Highway 34/75 corridor" and "development going in Old Towne Bellevue."FN1 His main opponent, City Councilman Thomas Burns, a Democrat, argued that Hike's development plans were not "transparent" and that city leadership "need[s] to take a holistic approach and focus on all parts of our city." ^[1] He argued that the city needed to be more walkable and needed to update its infrastructure, including the library building. ^[2] Marine Corps veteran Buz Stephens argued that the city's population growth was mostly attributed to annexation and that the "core" of the city was "very weak." ^[1]

At the primary election, Hike placed first by a wide margin, winning 63% of the vote to Burns's 31% and Stephen's 5%. Hike and Burns advanced to the general election.

Results

2022 Bellevue mayoral primary election results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Rusty Hike (inc.)	5,480	63.47%
	Nonpartisan	Thomas Burns	2,688	31.13%
	Nonpartisan	O.E. Buz Stephens	431	4.99%
	Write-in		35	0.41%
Total votes			8,634	100.00%

General election

In the general election, Hike and Burns faced off again, but the result was closer, with Hike ultimately winning re-election with 55% of the vote. ^[4]

Results

2022 Bellevue mayoral general election results ^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Rusty Hike (inc.)	9,921	55.16%
	Nonpartisan	Thomas Burns	8,076	44.69%
	Write-in		94	0.52%
Total votes			18,091	100.00%

See also

• List of mayors of Bellevue, Nebraska

References

1. Williamson, Zach (May 9, 2022). "Three candidates vying to lead the City of Bellevue". KMTV-TV News. Omaha, Nebraska. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
2. "Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike hopes to keep his seat, opponents looking to bring change". KETV News. Omaha, Nebraska. May 6, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
3. "Primary Election, May 10, 2022: Bellevue Mayor". Sarpy County Election Commissioner. May 27, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
4. Branting, Adam (November 15, 2022). "Hike overcomes challenge to remain Bellevue mayor". Omaha World-Herald . Omaha, Nebraska. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
5. "General Election November 8, 2022: Bellevue Mayor". Sarpy County Election Commissioner. November 21, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2025.