LINCOLN- The vacated Legislative seat of Lincoln's District 29 has been a slugfest over the past few months. Eliot Bostar and Jacob Campbell spent over $600,000 this election cycle according to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. This is the most expensive legislative race in recent history. Although the legislature is considered nonpartisan, the seat was an important one to hold for democrats as it formerly was known to be safely conservative.
In other races, Sen. Mike Hilgers did not have an easy election night with challenger Brodey Weber hanging on for the majority of the night. Hilgers said he knew the in-person votes would swing in his favor because of the partisan makeup of the early vote. Hilgers also believes the high spending in this election cycle will only continue to increase in future races. It is expected that Weber may seek the seat in 4 years when Hilgers faces term limits.
Two incumbent's were unseated, Sen. Andrew LaGrone and Sen. Dan Quick were beaten by their challengers. In District 27, Sen. Anna Wishart easily rolled past Brenda Bickford. Sen. Suzanne Geist also led comfortably throughout the evening. In District 11 Ernie Chambers endorsed candidate Terrell McKinney, who had a substantial lead Tuesday night.
The legislature will also see three more former members return to the body as Mike Flood, Ray Aguilar, and Rich Pahls all won their respective races. Floor, the former speaker was unopposed, while Aguilar defeated Senator Dan Quick, and Pahls won over teacher Tim Royers.