2025 Omaha mayoral election

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2025 Omaha mayoral election
Flag of Omaha, Nebraska.svg
←  2021 May 13, 2025 (2025-05-13)2029 →
  John Ewing 2018 (alt crop).jpg Jean Stothert 2020 (alt crop).jpg
Candidate John Ewing Jr. Jean Stothert
Popular vote53,67140,531
Percentage56.81%42.90%
2025 Omaha mayoral election general results by city council district.svg
2025 Omaha mayoral election general results by legislative district.svg
2025 Omaha mayoral election general results by precinct.svg
Mayor before election

Jean Stothert
Republican

Elected mayor

John Ewing Jr.
Democratic

The 2025 Omaha mayoral election was held on May 13, 2025, to elect the mayor of Omaha, Nebraska. A primary election was held on April 1, in which the two highest-placing candidates advanced to the general election on May 13. [1] Municipal elections in Omaha are officially nonpartisan.

Contents

Incumbent Republican mayor Jean Stothert ran for re-election to what would have been a record fourth term in office, but was defeated by Democrat John Ewing Jr. Ewing became the first elected African American mayor of Omaha, and the first Democratic mayor to be elected since 2009. [2]

Background

Incumbent mayor, Republican Jean Stothert was re-elected in 2021 after defeating R.J. Neary by a margin of 29.62%. The last mayor affiliated with the Democratic Party to be elected was Jim Suttle in 2009.

The filing deadline to appear on the ballot was February 28, 2025. [3]

Primary election

Candidates

Advanced

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Campaign

Key issues in the campaign included crime, infrastructure, and affordable housing. Controversies surrounding the Omaha Streetcar project and the usage of Tax Increment Financing have also served as the center of messaging and debates between candidates in the campaign. [11] [12]

Controversy arose when an anonymous Reddit user posted screenshots of an email exchange between Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb and Mike McDonnell's campaign manager, which showed that Kleeb had sent photos of an anti-Stothert advertisement to McDonnell's campaign several weeks before it was released to the public. Both Democrats in the race, John Ewing and Jasmine Harris, criticized Kleeb's action. Rumors spread that the Nebraska Democratic Party was supporting the Republican McDonnell's candidacy, possibly in exchange for his vote to preserve Nebraska's split Electoral College vote system. These allegations were denied by McDonnell's campaign and by Nebraska Democratic Party executive director Precious McKesson, who affirmed the party's support for Ewing and Harris. [13]

McDonnell also attracted controversy over racially-charged remarks about a city official whom Sothert appointed to work on homelessness, claiming the employee to be "a DEI hire" and suggesting that the employee is responsible for the growing rate of homelessness. Stothert, Ewing, and Harris all criticized McDonnell's comments, with Stothert labelling the comments as sexist and Ewing characterizing the comment as McDonnell "resorting to bullying and intimidation." [14]

Stothert has also been scrutinized over her frequent absences during her tenure, and allegations that she has moved out of the state. [15] [16]

Endorsements

Mike McDonnell (R)
State senators
Local officials
  • Mike Fahey, former mayor of Omaha (2001–2009) (Democratic) [17]
  • P. J. Morgan, Douglas County commissioner from the 4th district (2010–present) and former mayor of Omaha (1989–1994) [17]
Labor unions
Individuals
Party chapters
Jean Stothert (R)
Governors
Local officials
Organizations

Debates and forums

2025 Omaha mayoral primary debate
No.DateHostModeratorLink Independent Democratic Democratic Republican Republican
Key:
 P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited  W  Withdrawn
BrewerEwingHarrisMcDonnellStothert
1March 11, 2025 WOWT
Omaha Press Club		Brian Mastre [25] PPPPP
2March 16, 2025 KETV Bill Schammert [26] PPPPP

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of March 24, 2025
Candidate (party)RaisedSpentCash on
hand
Jean Stothert (R)$423,487$772,831$264,907
Mike McDonnell (R)$282,352$240,064$279,751
John Ewing (D)$81,026$89,804$66,514
Jasmine Harris (D)$32,607$25,148$8,430
Source: Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission [27] [28]

Results

City council district results Stothert 40-50% Ewing 30-40% 40-50% McDonnell 30-40% 2025 Omaha mayoral election primary results by city council district.svg
City council district results
  Stothert
  •   40–50%
  Ewing
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  McDonnell
  •   30–40%
Precinct results Stothert 20-30% 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% Ewing 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% McDonnell 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% Tie 20-30% 30-40% No votes 2025 Omaha mayoral election primary results by precinct.svg
Precinct results
  Stothert
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  Ewing
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  McDonnell
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Tie
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  No votes
2025 Omaha mayoral primary election results [29]
CandidateVotes %
Jean Stothert (incumbent)27,24536.22%
John Ewing Jr. 24,60532.72%
Mike McDonnell 15,03920.00%
Jasmine Harris7,70610.25%
Terry Brewer5630.78%
Write-in 500.07%
Total votes75,208 100.00%

General election

Post-primary endorsements

John Ewing (D)
U.S. Senators
State senators
Local officials
Other local officials
Labor unions
Party chapters
Organizations
Jean Stothert (R)
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations

Debates and forums

2025 Omaha mayoral general debate
No.DateHostModeratorLink Democratic Republican
Key:
 P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited  W  Withdrawn
EwingStothert
1April 17, 2025 WOWT
Omaha Press Club		Brian Mastre [37] PP
2April 27, 2025 KETV Rob McCartney [38] PP

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of April 28, 2025
Candidate (party)RaisedSpentCash on
hand
Jean Stothert (R)$903,927$646,632$257,295
John Ewing (D)$535,602$490,525$45,077
Source: Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission [27] [39]

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Jean Stothert vs. Mike McDonnell
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [b] 		Margin
of error		Jean
Stothert		Mike
McDonnell		Undecided
Amp Research [40] [A] January 22–23, 2025400 (LV)± 4.9%34%37%28%

Results

2025 Omaha mayoral general election unofficial results [41]
CandidateVotes %
John Ewing 53,67156.81%
Jean Stothert (incumbent)40,53142.90%
Write-in 2670.28%
Total votes94,469 100.00%
Turnout 94,82132.35%
Registered electors [42] 293,072
Results by city council district
DistrictJohn EwingJean StothertWrite-insTotal
# %# %# %
19,47964.82%5,10734.92%370.25%14,623
26,96381.78%1,52117.86%300.35%8,514
37,87967.04%3,83932.67%340.29%11,752
43,91159.31%2,64340.08%400.61%6,594
55,42740.88%7,82258.91%280.21%13,277
67,72545.12%9,35754.66%380.22%17,120
77,30949.34%7,46950.42%350.24%14,813

Analysis

The election results garnered national attention for several reasons. With his win, Ewing became the first elected African American mayor of Omaha and the first Democrat to win an Omaha mayoral election since 2009. [43] National analysts tied the race to an increase for support of Democratic candidates nationwide since the election of Donald Trump in 2024, whom Stothert publicly supported in spite of the Omaha-based 2nd congressional district of Nebraska providing a vote in the Electoral College for Kamala Harris. [44] [45] [46] Local analysts also noted parallels with the 2001 mayoral election, in which former mayor Hal Daub lost to Mike Fahey. [44]

Following the election, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen blamed lack of turnout from Omaha-area Republicans for Stothert's loss. [47] Other factors cited included the controversial streetcar project and continued dissatisfaction with the condition of local roads, an issue in the 2021 election as well. [44]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ McDonnell endorsed Ewing both in his capacity as the president of the Omaha Federation of Labor and by his own personal recommendation ahead of the union vote, per the article cited.
  2. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
Partisan sponsors
  1. ↑ Poll conducted for McDonnell's campaign

References

  1. ↑ "Election 2025: Official Omaha primary vote tallies released". WOWT. April 11, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  2. ↑ Sanderford, Aaron (May 13, 2025). "History will be made in Tuesday's Stothert-Ewing mayoral race". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  3. ↑ John Chapman, Elaina Riley and Jackson Piercy (January 6, 2025). "Filing period opens for 2025 Omaha city election candidates". WOWT . Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  4. ↑ Hegarty, Aaron (April 5, 2024). "John Ewing officially challenging Jean Stothert for Omaha mayor". KETV . Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Sanderford, Aaron (March 26, 2024). "Stothert running for a record fourth term as Omaha mayor". Nebraska Examiner .
  6. ↑ Parsons, McKenzy (February 25, 2025). "Omaha's mayoral race officially has four candidates". KETV .
  7. ↑ "Jasmine Harris announces run for mayor of Omaha". Omaha World-Herald . October 1, 2024.
  8. ↑ McKenzy, Parsons (November 20, 2024). "Nebraska State Sen. Mike McDonnell to announce his candidacy for Omaha mayor". KETV . Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  9. ↑ Riley, Elaina (March 26, 2024). "Stothert running for a record fourth term as Omaha mayor". Nebraska Examiner . Festersen said the mayor's announcement 'does not impact my own decision-making' about whether to run.
  10. ↑ Riley, Elaina (October 15, 2021). "Omaha City Council president seeking re-election in 2025". WOWT .
  11. ↑ Anderson, Jake (February 4, 2025). "2025 Omaha election guide: Mayoral, city council candidates". KETV . Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Omaha Mayor". Flatwater Free Press. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  13. ↑ Bowling, Chris (March 6, 2025). "'Not Normal': Democratic mayoral hopeful irked that party leaders communicated with GOP challenger". Flatwater Free Press. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  14. ↑ Johnson, Taylor (February 19, 2025). "Omaha mayoral candidate calls city's homeless coordinator a 'DEI hire,' mayor responds". WOWT. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  15. ↑ McLoon, Alex (July 29, 2022). "Mayor Jean Stothert shuts down rumors about why she wants to run city while out of town". KETV. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  16. ↑ Pierce, Charles P. (August 19, 2022). "Omaha Mayor's Absences Are Not Making the Heartland Grow Fonder". Esquire . Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sanderford, Aaron (November 21, 2024). "State Sen. Mike McDonnell says Omaha needs a mayor who listens". Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  18. ↑ Omaha Professional Fire Fighters Local 385 [@omahafirefighters] (March 21, 2025). "For us, as Omaha Professional Fire Fighters, there is only one issue that we make our political endorsements based on". Instagram . Retrieved March 23, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. 1 2 McLoon, Alex (March 13, 2025). "Omaha police chief and police union split endorsements for mayoral race". KETV . Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  20. ↑ Douglas County of Nebraska Libertarian Party [@DouglasCountyLibertarians] (March 25, 2025). "We endorse Mike McDonnell for Mayor for one simple reason. He supports liberty in Omaha". Facebook . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  21. ↑ Douglas County Republican Party [@dcrponline] (March 27, 2025). "These candidates requested and received endorsements from the DCRP". Facebook . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  22. ↑ Parsons, McKenzy (March 25, 2025). "Gov. Jim Pillen endorses Jean Stothert in Omaha mayoral race". KETV . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  23. ↑ Anderson, Jake (March 18, 2025). "Omaha Fire Chief Kathy Bossman endorses incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert". KETV . Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  24. ↑ Anderson, Jake (March 17, 2025). "Hispanic organization endorses Jean Stothert for Omaha mayor". KETV . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  25. ↑ "LIVE: MAYORAL DEBATE". March 11, 2025 – via YouTube.
  26. ↑ "Omaha mayoral candidates discuss their views on key issues as they vie for your vote". March 16, 2025 – via YouTube.
  27. 1 2 "Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission". Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  28. ↑ Aaron, Hegarty (March 4, 2024). "Stothert keeps big lead in campaign fundraising in race for mayor". KETV . Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  29. ↑ Douglas County Election Commission (April 4, 2025). "Summary Unofficial Results Report: 2025 Primary Election" (PDF). Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Monroe, Waverle (April 8, 2025). "Omaha mayoral candidate John Ewing Jr. says he's confident, picking up endorsements". KETV . Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cordes, Henry J. (May 1, 2025). "Mike McDonnell, on behalf of labor union, endorses John Ewing for Omaha mayor. Jean Stothert gets chamber nod". Omaha World-Herald . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Democratic Mayors Association Announces First-Ever Candidate Endorsements". Democratic Mayors Association . May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Omaha General Election – May 13". Nebraska Democrats. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  34. ↑ Clawson, Sharon (April 10, 2025). "2025 Political Endorsements: 2025 General Election" . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  35. ↑ Bock, Tony (May 6, 2025). "CODA: Mayor Stothert on homelessness, climate resilience & Terence Crawford". OMAPOD - Omaha's Daily Morning Podcast and Newsletters. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  36. ↑ "AFSCME Local 251, Omaha's Largest Civilian Bargaining Unit, Endorses Mayor Jean Stothert for Re-Election". AFSCME Local 251. May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  37. ↑ "LIVE: Watch the Omaha mayoral debate at noon". April 17, 2025 – via YouTube.
  38. ↑ Anderson, Jake (April 28, 2025). "KETV hosts Omaha mayoral debate with Jean Stothert, John Ewing Jr". KETV.
  39. ↑ Schammert, Bill (May 6, 2024). "Ewing picks up fundraising momentum, Stothert still leads in Omaha mayor's race". KETV . Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  40. ↑ Rogers, John (February 3, 2025). "Stothert in Serious Trouble, 64% Say 'Time for Someone New'" (PDF). Amp Research. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Summary Official Results Report 2025 General Election" (PDF). Vote Douglas County. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Election Night Results". Vote Douglas County. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  43. ↑ Smith, Mitch (May 13, 2025). "Democrat Appears to Win Omaha Mayor's Race, Ending Era of Republican Leadership". The New York Times . Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  44. 1 2 3 Sanderford, Aaron; Gonzalez, Cindy (May 13, 2025). "Ewing sends Stothert packing, gives heart of 'blue dot' a Democratic mayor". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  45. ↑ Gans, Jared (May 13, 2025). "Democrat ousts incumbent Republican in Omaha mayoral race". The Hill . Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  46. ↑ Oppenheim, Oren (May 14, 2025). "John Ewing set to become Omaha's first Black mayor and flip the office for Democrats". ABC News . Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  47. ↑ Dvorak, Gina; Fernandez, Jacqueline (May 13, 2025). "Election 2025: Gov. Pillen blames West Omaha Republicans for mayor's defeat". WOWT. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
Official websites for mayoral candidates (eliminated primary candidates)
Official websites for mayoral candidates (general candidates)
Douglas County Election Commission, update result timeline
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