Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr., a Democrat and former deputy chief of police, has unseated Republican Mayor Jean Stothert in Omaha’s mayoral election, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ. Ewing’s win marks a historic milestone, making him the city’s first Black mayor and ending Stothert’s bid for an unprecedented fourth term.
Although officially a nonpartisan contest, the race featured clear partisan stakes, with Ewing representing the Democrats and Stothert the GOP. Omaha has not elected a Democratic mayor since 2013, when Stothert defeated incumbent Jim Suttle to become the city’s first woman to hold the office. Since then, she had maintained a strong electoral record, with her narrowest victory margin coming in 2017 at just under six points.
Democrats viewed this race as a key opportunity to regain ground in Omaha, a part of Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District — often referred to as a “blue dot” due to its frequent divergence from the state’s broader Republican lean. Democrats have secured the district’s electoral vote in three of the last five presidential elections and continue to contest its congressional seat vigorously, though unsuccessfully in recent cycles.
Both mayoral candidates prioritized local issues such as economic development, public safety, and affordable housing. However, the campaign grew more politically charged in the final stretch. Stothert targeted Ewing over transgender-related policies, while Ewing sought to link Stothert to former President Donald Trump, shifting the race into a broader national conversation.
Ewing’s Win in Omaha Fuels Democratic Momentum Ahead of 2026 Midterms
The Omaha race adds to a series of Democratic wins in recent local and state elections that suggest a shifting political climate. In April, Democrats won a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and while they didn’t flip two Republican-leaning House districts in Florida, they significantly outperformed expectations. Earlier in the year, Democrats scored surprise victories in state Senate races in Iowa and Pennsylvania.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin celebrated Ewing’s win, framing it as part of a larger trend. “From coast to coast, from blue to purple to even red states, Democrats are overwhelmingly outperforming Republicans in nearly every election held this year,” Martin said. He added that Republicans pushing policies that threaten Social Security, health care, and economic stability are facing growing voter backlash. He also issued a warning to Republicans like Rep. Don Bacon, who represents the 2nd District and has been a Democratic target in past election cycles.
Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb echoed the sentiment, calling Ewing’s victory the beginning of “a new era” for Omaha and the state. “Mayor-elect Ewing’s commitment to the people of Nebraska speaks for itself,” she said. “We made historic progress tonight, and tomorrow, the hard work continues as we look to 2026.”
With Ewing’s election, Democrats not only flipped a key municipal seat but also gained fresh momentum heading into the 2026 midterms, signaling potential vulnerabilities for Republican incumbents even in traditionally red states.