AGP Executive Report

TANF Policy: Federal officials approved Gov. Jim Pillen’s request to block Nebraska cash assistance from purchases including tobacco, tattoos, psychic services and video games. Nebraska Senate Race: Leaked recordings have become fresh attack lines in the contest between independent Dan Osborn and Sen. Pete Ricketts, as cost-of-living concerns loom; crypto-backed groups are also preparing support for Ricketts. Ballot Questions: Voters will decide whether to extend state senators’ term limits from two terms to three, and whether to authorize online sports betting through licensed racetracks. Election registration deadlines are approaching. Consumer Protection: Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced a multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach that potentially exposed personal information of 9,777 Nebraska patients.

Welfare Policy: Federal officials approved Gov. Jim Pillen’s request to block Nebraska’s TANF assistance from being spent on items including tobacco, tattoos, psychic readings and video games. Election Watch: About 400 Saunders County voters received outdated instructions suggesting their early ballots needed an election official’s signature; the clerk says the ballots are valid and will count. Nebraska’s U.S. Senate race is also drawing attention as economic concerns put Republican-held seats in farm states at risk. Veterans Initiative: Pillen’s new “Good Life is Calling Veterans” campaign has contacted more than 85,000 service members and veterans to promote Nebraska jobs, benefits and quality of life. Ballot Measures: Voters will decide whether to legalize online sports betting. Former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub and State Auditor Mike Foley oppose the measures, arguing the promised property-tax relief is overstated. Voter Deadline: Nebraskans can register for the general election through Friday, Oct. 16.

Senate Race: National Republicans plan to spend another $8 million to protect Sen. Pete Ricketts, as independent challenger Dan Osborn gains attention. Osborn and two other Plains candidates say they would not caucus with either party; Republicans call them Democrats in disguise. Statewide Contests: Attorney general candidates Mike Hilgers and Jocelyn Brasher offer sharply different views of the office, while secretary of state hopefuls Scott Petersen and Sarah Slattery clash over election security. Farm and Fuel Policy: The Nebraska Farm Bureau endorsed Gov. Jim Pillen for reelection. Separate state orders aim to ease farmers’ diesel costs and allow qualifying agricultural haulers to carry heavier loads through Dec. 23.

Secretary of State: Republican Scott Petersen and Democrat Sarah Slattery offered sharply different views of election security as they outlined priorities for the office, which also oversees business filings. Senate Race: Nebraska independent Dan Osborn joined candidates from Montana and South Dakota in pledging not to caucus with either party if elected; Republicans called the candidates Democrats in disguise. Crypto-backed super PAC Fairshake plans to spend on Sen. Pete Ricketts’ reelection, as he faces Osborn. Fuel Costs: Gov. Jim Pillen’s temporary orders offer Nebraska agricultural haulers weight-limit flexibility and a state diesel-tax refund. Separately, Nebraska lawmakers Don Bacon and Mike Flood criticized President Trump’s proposed Russian diesel deal, warning it could benefit Vladimir Putin. Ballot Questions: Voters will decide whether to extend state senators’ consecutive term limit from two terms to three. The League of Women Voters has launched a nonpartisan guide to candidates, polling places and ballot measures. Lincoln Legal Fight: Attorney General Mike Hilgers is seeking about $19,000 from the city after the Nebraska Supreme Court ordered three citizen-led charter amendments onto the November ballot.

Nebraska Senate Race: A recent poll put Sen. Pete Ricketts five points ahead of Democrat Dan Osborn, but it omitted key details such as sample size and margin of error. The race is drawing national attention as Republicans defend their narrow Senate majority. Second District: Denise Powell and Brinker Harding clashed in a debate over affordability, tariffs, the deficit and overseas conflicts as they compete for the open seat. Trump in Grand Island: President Trump rallied for Ricketts and signed an order aimed at easing diesel costs. The order does not automatically erase fuel taxes, leaving farmers and truckers uncertain about its impact. Democratic Campaigning: Hillary Clinton visited Omaha to rally Nebraska Democrats and support candidates, emphasizing affordability, health care and corruption. State Legal Action: Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined a multistate effort challenging TP-Link, alleging security risks and ties to China; the company says it is an independent U.S. firm.

CD-2 Debate: Democrat Denise Powell and Republican Brinker Harding faced off in the race for retiring Rep. Don Bacon’s seat. A KETV fact-check examined claims on affordability, tariffs and the federal deficit. Trump in Nebraska: President Donald Trump rallied in Grand Island for Sen. Pete Ricketts, drawing thousands as he made his first visit to Nebraska in his second term. Russia Diesel Deal: Bacon says he will back a bipartisan bill to block Russian oil purchases, criticizing Trump’s deal with Moscow. Senators from both parties also called on Trump to reverse course, arguing the move may violate sanctions law. State Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen ordered Nebraska health officials to seek tighter limits on how families can spend TANF cash benefits, including a ban on purchases such as tobacco and gambling. Farm Costs: Nebraska ranchers say high diesel, fertilizer and building-material costs—and uncertainty over trade and policy—are adding pressure ahead of the midterms.

Russian Diesel Dispute: Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon says he will co-sponsor a bill to block Russian oil purchases, joining a bipartisan push to challenge President Trump’s diesel deal with Vladimir Putin. The move adds to Republican criticism that the agreement could fund Russia’s war in Ukraine. Nebraska Campaign Trail: Hillary Clinton visited the state to campaign for Lynne Walz and Denise Powell, while Trump’s Grand Island rally and Nebraska’s competitive federal races drew national attention. Farm Policy: Trump’s red-dyed diesel order offers potential relief for Nebraska farmers facing high fuel costs, but questions remain about how it will work. State Government: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order restricting what Nebraska families can buy with TANF funds.

Russian Diesel Dispute: Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon is backing legislation to block Russian oil purchases, calling President Trump’s diesel deal with Vladimir Putin the wrong answer despite pressure to lower fuel costs for farmers. The proposed House vote faces a tight timeline. Midterm Campaign: Hillary Clinton visited Omaha to campaign for Lynne Walz and Denise Powell as Nebraska races draw national attention. Trump also campaigned in the state for Republican candidates. Rural Health: Gov. Jim Pillen and federal health chief Mehmet Oz said Nebraska has deployed $177 million of its $218.5 million first-year rural health grant, with the rollout potentially affecting future funding. State Policy: Pillen signed an order restricting TANF funds to nonessential purchases, while Nebraska voters are also weighing Initiative 442, which would set a biological-sex requirement for sports.

Campaign Trail: Hillary Clinton visited Omaha on Saturday to rally support for Nebraska Democrats Lynne Walz and Denise Powell, as both parties step up voter outreach before the Nov. 3 midterms. Election Integrity: Retiring Rep. Don Bacon is leading a bipartisan pledge urging Congress to seat every state-certified election winner, amid concerns about challenges to the results. Welfare Rules: Gov. Jim Pillen ordered state officials to seek tighter limits on how TANF cash assistance can be spent, including restrictions on purchases such as tobacco and gambling. Farm and Fuel Policy: Nebraska farmers say President Trump’s temporary expansion of tax-free dyed diesel offers only modest relief, with questions about how the policy will work and how long it will last. Legal Fight: Christian therapists are suing Nebraska City over a counseling ban they say threatens them with jail time.

Election 2026: Early voting is underway in Douglas County, where a redesigned Election Commission office aims to improve voter flow. NDOT also reminds candidates and voters that campaign signs are banned on state highway rights-of-way. Barack Obama says Nebraska is among the Senate races that have surprised him, with contests “on the razor’s edge”; Hillary Clinton is in Omaha to raise money and promote Democratic candidates. State Policy: Gov. Jim Pillen signed an order directing DHHS to seek federal approval to restrict TANF cash aid from purchases including tobacco, gambling and video games. Farm Costs: Nebraska farmers say the temporary red-dyed diesel tax relief may help, but details remain unclear and it won’t fix broader fuel-cost pressures. Veterans: A new service officer at Nebraska National Guard headquarters in Lincoln will help veterans and separating service members apply for benefits and appeals.

Governor’s Race: Brett Lindstrom reported spending just $49.50 on his 2026 Nebraska campaign so far, though he has acknowledged paying signature gatherers during an earlier ballot bid. He is now the America First nominee, challenging Gov. Jim Pillen, Democrat Lynne Walz and Legal Marijuana NOW candidate Rick Beard. Rural Economy: Trump’s push to increase imported beef has barely lowered prices and has angered ranchers. The backlash could matter in Nebraska and other farm states, where Republicans are trying to keep rural voters engaged ahead of November. Trump’s Nebraska Visit: At a Grand Island rally, Trump signed an order expanding tax-free use of red-dyed diesel on roads. His comments suggesting Iran could strike Los Angeles or San Diego also drew bipartisan criticism. Ballot Measure: DraftKings and FanDuel have each added $3.5 million to the campaign for online sports betting, bringing support to about $14.65 million ahead of the November vote.

Trump’s Nebraska Remarks: President Donald Trump said he was referring to higher gas prices—not accepting an Iranian attack—when he said at Monday’s Grand Island rally that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego. Pillen Probe: Gov. Jim Pillen says he has not been interviewed in the ongoing investigation of a $2.5 billion no-bid state contract he recommended, arguing his office had no role. Lincoln Tax Dispute: The state Revenue Department says it administers local sales-tax collections and remittances, as Sen. Beau Ballard alleges Lincoln improperly taxed people outside city limits and seeks refunds. Election Rules: NDOT says campaign signs are barred from state highway and interstate rights-of-way and may be removed. University Enrollment: NU System enrollment fell 1.4% to 48,948, with declines in international and graduate students contributing to the drop.

Campaign Trail: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lynn Walz told a Gering town hall she would restore honesty and transparency to the governor’s office, citing the state’s projected budget deficit and emphasizing property taxes, education and rural health care. Election Rules: NDOT says campaign signs are barred from state highway and interstate rights-of-way, including medians, ramps and roadside ditches. Early voting is underway, with voter deadlines approaching. Courts: U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts joined a Supreme Court brief arguing that homeschooling parents should retain religious freedom protections and that neutral government programs may support faith-based curricula. Consumer Protection: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined three other states in suing TP-Link, alleging the router maker misled consumers about device security and its China ties. Senate Race: President Donald Trump’s Grand Island rally put the competitive Nebraska race in the national spotlight, as independent Dan Osborn challenges Ricketts and ranchers criticize Trump’s beef-import plan.

Trump’s Nebraska Visit: At a Grand Island rally, President Donald Trump said Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego while defending the war. The remarks drew condemnation from California leaders and renewed scrutiny of his midterm campaigning. Senate Race: Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts is emphasizing his record as he seeks reelection against independent Dan Osborn and two other challengers. Voting Deadlines: Nebraska voters must register online or by mail by Oct. 16; in-person registration is open at county election offices through Oct. 23. Lincoln Tax Dispute: State Sen. Beau Ballard alleges Lincoln improperly charged sales and occupation taxes to residents outside city limits and says he’ll seek refunds. City officials dispute the claim and say the state oversees tax collection. Router Lawsuits: Nebraska joined Iowa, Florida and Montana in suing TP-Link, alleging the company concealed China ties and misled consumers about router security. Separately, Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined a 21-state coalition asking the FCC to scrutinize the company’s bid to sell new router models. Prairie Conservation: Nearly $19 million in federal support will help Nebraska landowners protect grasslands, wildlife habitat and working rangeland.

State Oversight: State Auditor Mike Foley is challenging a planned $23,000 salary-and-benefits payment to former Nebraska retirement system director Thomas Pfeifle, who resigned in September but says his departure takes effect Oct. 31. Foley calls the payment unconscionable and wants the retirement board to reconsider. Consumer Protection: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined three states in suing router maker TP-Link, alleging it misrepresented its Chinese ties and the security of its devices. Election Rules: NDOT warns that campaign signs are prohibited on state highway and interstate rights-of-way; crews will remove signs placed there. Grand Island Rally: President Trump signed an order allowing tax-exempt dyed diesel on roads through year-end and renewed his promise of $5,000 checks if Republicans keep Congress. His remarks that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego drew criticism; the White House said he was warning about the threat of a nuclear Iran. Campaign 2026: Trump attacked independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn, who is challenging Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts. National GOP groups have also reportedly pulled back spending in Nebraska’s competitive 2nd District race.

Midterm Money Anxiety: Republicans are increasingly worried that their roughly $1 billion war chest may be too little, too late, as Trump-aligned groups spent later and paid far higher ad rates—raising stakes for Senate races. Nebraska Rally Fallout: At Trump’s Grand Island stop, he said Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego; California leaders and even some Republicans blasted the remarks while the White House insisted it was misinterpreted. Diesel Relief Push: Trump signed an order expanding tax-free “red-dyed diesel” use and deferring/relieving certain diesel tax obligations, aiming to cut costs for farmers and truckers—prompting warnings from fuel and trucking groups about limits and enforcement. Local Politics & Voting: A “Vote is Sacred” bus tour drew faith leaders in Omaha to boost turnout, while Nebraska Democrats held a “Rally for Democracy” in Grand Island. Nebraska Governance: Nebraska’s Gov. Jim Pillen named Trump an admiral in the state’s “Great Navy,” a largely ceremonial tradition. Legal/Policy: Nebraska AG JB McCuskey joined a coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to allow 9/11 victims to access frozen Taliban funds. Security Coordination: Grand Island police coordinated with the Secret Service for Trump’s Oct. 5 visit, involving dozens of agencies.