AGP Executive Report

Housing: Omaha was selected for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ housing program, with up to $750,000 in grants and expert help to expand accessory dwelling units such as backyard apartments. Ballot Measures: Nebraskans decide Nov. 3 whether to legalize and regulate online sports betting. Supporters tout regulation and tax revenue; opponents warn of gambling harms and out-of-state interests. Senate Race: The Ricketts–Osborn contest is increasingly framed around wealth and economic strain: Sen. Pete Ricketts is a multimillionaire, while independent challenger Dan Osborn works as a mechanic. Voting Access: A report on rural Nebraska says mail voting can save money and improve access, while proposed restrictions could change that. Agriculture: Vice President JD Vance announced a $1.3 billion federal fertilizer investment that includes two Nebraska plants; farmers and advocates say the test will be whether it lowers prices, while the Nebraska Farmers Union called the announcement election-year messaging.

Campaign 2026: National Republicans are pouring attention into Nebraska, with the RNC chair acknowledging the state is unusually competitive and Vice President JD Vance campaigning in North Platte. Independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn is part of the race reshaping the state’s political map. Farm Policy: Vance announced a $1.3 billion federal plan for domestic fertilizer plants, including two in Nebraska. Farmers welcomed the prospect of more competition but questioned whether it will lower prices; the Nebraska Farmers Union president called it election-year messaging and urged action on a farm bill. Voting Access: Rural Nebraska’s mail-voting system can save money and improve access, but proposed restrictions could change how voters cast ballots. State Races: Omaha-area legislative contests could threaten the GOP’s supermajority, including a rematch in District 4.Federal Courts: President Trump nominated sixth-generation Nebraskan Eric Hamilton for a seat on the U.S. District Court, with both of the state’s senators backing his nomination.

Fertilizer Investment: Vice President JD Vance announced a $1.3 billion investment in domestic fertilizer manufacturing during a North Platte campaign stop, saying it could lower costs for 32,000 farmers. The visit also put Republican Senate candidate Pete Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen’s reelection bid in the spotlight. Ballot Measures: Nebraskans will decide whether to legalize online sports betting and whether to add the state’s transgender student sports restriction to the constitution. Voting Access: Republican secretary of state nominee Scott Petersen wants to replace all-mail elections in 11 rural counties with in-person voting. County officials say mail voting saves money and helps residents in isolated areas cast ballots.

Campaign Trail: Vice President JD Vance rallied in North Platte for Gov. Jim Pillen and Sen. Pete Ricketts, urging voters to reelect the Republicans. Democrats said the high-profile visits signal GOP concern about close races. Farm Policy: Vance also announced a $1.34 billion national fertilizer investment. Nebraska is slated for two TalusAg facilities; the company will receive nearly $100 million for modular ammonia units serving several states, not just Nebraska. Ballot Measures: Initiatives 440 and 441 would enable and regulate online sports betting. Supporters say legalization could capture wagers now going to unregulated sites; opponents warn phone-based betting could worsen addiction and financial hardship. Voting Reminder: Nebraska’s voter-registration deadline is Friday at 6 p.m. Register in person at your county election office; same-day registration is not allowed.

Election Push: Vice President JD Vance is set to campaign for Nebraska Republicans, with a North Platte rally ahead of Election Day. Nebraska Secretary of State officials are also sharing voting reminders as county clerks explain absentee and out-of-state voting. Ballot Measures: Public hearings in Kearney will cover proposals to authorize online sports betting and require school sports teams to be based on biological sex. Lincoln voters also face five city ballot questions. Legislative Races: Competitive Omaha-area contests could shrink the GOP’s 33-seat supermajority. District 10 is an open race between Cindy Johnson and Rebecca Rens, while District 12’s Christy Knorr and Merv Riepe are campaigning in a swing district. Senate Race: Independent Dan Osborn is pitching his candidacy to young voters as Nebraska’s Senate contest draws national attention. Food Assistance: Nebraska advocates warn food insecurity is nearing a crisis a year after federal SNAP rule changes; the Food Bank of Lincoln says it serves 45% more people than five years ago. Washington: Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon joined a bipartisan appeal urging President Trump to let Ukraine use Starlink to locate Russian missile launchers.

Campaign Trail: Vice President JD Vance heads to North Platte Thursday to rally Republicans, as the Senate race between Pete Ricketts and independent Dan Osborn draws attention. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lynne Walz campaigned in Siouxland, emphasizing the budget, education, taxes and housing. Ballot & Voting: Nebraskans will decide whether to legalize online sports betting, with supporters pitching tax revenue for property-tax relief. The secretary of state shared voting reminders, while county clerks urged absentee voters to check registration and deadlines. Polling & Trust: Wedgewood Polls admitted most of its election surveys were fabricated; its fake numbers appeared in national polling averages. The firm said its Nebraska survey was its only real poll, underscoring concerns about how campaign data is checked. Local Races: Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine and challenger Makayla Danner outlined competing priorities, including juvenile justice and leadership of the office.

Senate Race: Majority Leader John Thune rallied in Fremont for Pete Ricketts, saying the seat is crucial to GOP control of the Senate. Ricketts said cost of living is the top concern he hears from voters. Election Rules: Nebraska’s two newest parties qualified for the ballot with nearly 18,000 validated signatures, but neither reported formation spending by the Oct. 5 deadline; state law does not require disclosure before ballot qualification. The Nebraska Supreme Court also cleared voters to decide on a constitutional ban on transgender girls competing in girls’ sports. Polling Integrity: Wedgewood Polls admitted fabricating nearly all its election surveys, which appeared in media coverage and polling averages; the firm says it conducted one genuine survey in Nebraska. State Government: Gov. Jim Pillen eased fuel-hauling rules amid supply concerns. Separately, a Lancaster County report estimates inadequate child care costs the local economy $289 million in business output and $264 million in labor income.

Election Security: Sen. Deb Fischer’s Omaha office received a suspicious letter containing an unknown powder Tuesday; staff are safe, and authorities are testing the substance. Similar letters went to Sen. Pete Ricketts and Secretary of State Bob Evnen, with the FBI investigating. Local Infrastructure: Gretna’s council approved bond financing for a $32 million I-80 interchange at 192nd Street and Capehart Road, intended to ease congestion as Sarpy County grows. State Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen says Nebraska will block TANF assistance for purchases including tobacco, vaping products and lottery tickets. Campaigns and Ballot Measures: In Nebraska’s closely watched 2nd District race, Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell traded disputed tax claims. Lincoln voters will decide five charter amendments affecting election dates, council term limits and voting eligibility; statewide, voters will also consider legalizing online sports betting. Farm Economy: Producers raised concerns about rising costs and other challenges with Sens. Pete Ricketts and John Thune at a farm roundtable, as economic pressures become a campaign issue.

Harvest and Fuel: Gov. Jim Pillen eased rules for fuel haulers as a rain-delayed harvest strains supplies, allowing longer driving hours and loads up to 10% heavier. Secretary of State Race: Two late-entry candidates, Bob Krist of the America First Party and Paul Rumbaugh of the Nebraska Working People Party, join Democrat Sarah Slattery and Republican Scott Petersen on the ballot. November Ballot: Nebraskans will decide whether to legalize online sports betting through Initiatives 440 and 441; the state Supreme Court also cleared the way for voters to consider a constitutional ban on transgender girls competing in girls’ sports. State Oversight: State Auditor Mike Foley is pressing the retirement agency’s board to explain why its departing director continued to receive pay after leaving work. Social Media Law: Attorney General Mike Hilgers is asking a federal appeals court to revive Nebraska’s age-verification and parental-consent law for minors’ social media accounts, which a judge blocked on free-speech grounds.

OpenAI Lawsuit: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined Kansas, Iowa and West Virginia in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT endangered children and misled parents about safety. The states cite possible violations of Nebraska consumer-protection and online-design laws. Midterm Campaign: Vice President JD Vance is expected in North Platte this week as Republicans work to energize voters. Nebraska’s Senate race is drawing national attention, while early voting is underway and deadlines approach. Ballot Measures: The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled voters can decide whether to add an anti-transgender sports ban to the state constitution. A separate measure would impose legislative term limits. Election Security: Suspicious envelopes sent to Sen. Pete Ricketts and Secretary of State Bob Evnen are under investigation; officials say the substances were not hazardous. Farm Economy: Nebraska farmers say high diesel costs, weak crop prices and tariff uncertainty are squeezing harvest-season finances. Omaha Housing: Omaha is among 14 cities receiving philanthropic funding to expand housing programs and speed development.

Campaign Trail: Vice President JD Vance is set to headline a Thursday rally in North Platte as Republicans work to boost turnout in Nebraska’s competitive Senate and governor’s races. Voting Watch: Early in-person voting in Douglas County is nearly triple the level at this point in the last midterm, officials say, while the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld a law allowing some overseas citizens to vote. Election Security: The Secretary of State’s office received a suspicious envelope and turned it over to the FBI, amid reports of similar mailings to election offices nationwide. Campaign Finance: Nebraska law leaves a reporting gap for new political parties, so spending on the Working People and America First parties’ ballot access may never be disclosed.

Election Security: Nebraska election officials are investigating suspicious mail sent to the Secretary of State’s office and Sen. Deb Fischer, with the FBI involved. Douglas County officials also warned about false election claims online as early voting surged to nearly three times the pace of the last midterm. Voting Rules: The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld a law allowing certain citizens living overseas to vote in state elections, and separately upheld the Fairness for Girls ballot measure. Campaign Trail: Vice President JD Vance is set to rally in North Platte ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. No Kings demonstrations in Lincoln and Omaha, along with an early-voting event in Hastings, added to a busy stretch of election activity. Ballot Measures: Nebraska voters are weighing mobile sports betting proposals, which would direct most tax revenue to property-tax relief. A separate proposed 2028 initiative package would address taxes and schools. Religious Rights: Attorney General Mike Hilgers urged the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a family’s challenge to vaccination requirements for a student enrolled in online public school.

Religious Rights: Attorney General Mike Hilgers is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a family’s challenge to vaccination requirements for online public school, arguing the rule burdens religious exercise. Campaign Trail: Vice President JD Vance is set to rally in North Platte on Thursday as Nebraska’s Senate, governor and congressional races draw national attention. Election Security: The FBI is investigating a suspicious envelope sent to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office; Sen. Pete Ricketts also received a suspicious mailing. Voting: Douglas County’s early in-person turnout is nearly triple the level at this point in the last midterm, while rallies in Lincoln and Hastings urged Nebraskans to vote early. Ballot Battles: A Lincoln organizer is planning 15 separate petitions for the 2028 ballot, including proposals on property taxes, schools and fuel taxes. The Nebraska Supreme Court also upheld a law allowing certain overseas citizens to vote in state elections.

Midterm Campaigns: Vice President JD Vance is set to rally Republicans in North Platte on Thursday as Nebraska’s Senate and governor’s races draw fresh attention. Independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn again says he won’t caucus with either party, a stance Republicans say could cost him committee assignments. Voting and Security: No Kings rallies in Lincoln, Omaha and Hastings urged Nebraskans to vote early. The FBI is investigating a suspicious envelope sent to Nebraska’s Secretary of State’s office amid a nationwide wave of mail threats to election officials and lawmakers. 2028 Ballot: Organizer Eric Underwood is advancing a plan for 15 separate petitions, including proposals on property taxes, schools and fuel taxes, after Nebraska’s single-subject rule blocked a ballot measure this year. Election Law: The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld a law allowing some citizens living overseas to vote in state elections. Farm Policy: Sen. Deb Fischer says she’ll work to keep year-round nationwide E15 sales in the proposed farm bill.

Election Security: Sen. Pete Ricketts’ Omaha office and Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen’s office received suspicious mail as authorities investigate similar letters sent to election and congressional offices nationwide. Ricketts’ letter contained a harmless substance; Evnen’s unopened envelope was turned over to the FBI. Voting Rules: The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld a law allowing eligible overseas citizens to vote, rejecting a Republican challenge. Senate Race: Independent Dan Osborn is campaigning statewide against Ricketts in a race that has drawn increased national attention, though Ricketts remains favored. Agriculture: Sen. Deb Fischer is pushing to keep year-round nationwide E15 sales in the proposed farm bill, saying she has support from both corn-growing and refinery states. Local Elections: Three Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District board races will be contested in November.

Campaigns: Democrats are using votes on the Iran war to attack Republicans over rising costs, including Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood. Cook Political Report also downgraded Flood’s 1st District from solid to likely Republican. Senate challenger Dan Osborn brought his statewide tour to Broken Bow. Election Security: Secretary of State Bob Evnen’s office received a suspicious envelope, isolated it unopened and turned it over to the FBI. The mailing is part of a wider investigation into letters sent to election and congressional offices around the country. Douglas County officials are warning voters about false social media claims concerning ballot markings. Voting: Early in-person voting in Douglas County is nearly three times higher than at the same point in 2022. The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld a law allowing eligible U.S. citizens born abroad to vote if a parent is a registered Nebraska voter. Ballots are arriving in Knox and Cedar counties, where voting is conducted entirely by mail; completed ballots must reach county clerks by 8 p.m. Nov. 3. State Government: Gov. Jim Pillen established a task force to review Nebraska’s emergency communications systems and recommend improvements within 60 days.