Brett Lindstrom files signatures in bid for Nebraska governor

LINCOLN, Neb. —

Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom submitted signatures on Monday to the Secretary of State’s Office to appear on the ballot for Nebraska’s race for governor in November.

Lindstrom told KETV NewsWatch 7 that he turned in almost 5,800 signatures on Monday. He needs at least 4,000 valid signatures with at least 750 in each congressional district to qualify for the ballot.

“I feel good about all the people that helped us do this,” Lindstrom said. “A lot of volunteers went out and collected signatures and had a lot of great conversations with people.”

Monday was the deadline to submit those signatures. The Secretary of State’s Office will now work to verify them.

“They’ll count them up, and I feel good about the results,” Lindstrom said.

The former state senator will be joined on the ticket by Mike Picard, a Navy veteran who is club director of ENVY Volleyball Club.

Lindstrom made headlines last month for announcing his bid for the state’s highest office.

Previous Coverage: Brett Lindstrom’s independent bid for governor changes campaign dynamics, draws controversy

The race currently includes incumbent Republican Gov. Jim Pillen, former state senator and Democratic candidate Lynne Walz and Legal Marijuana NOW Party candidate Rick Beard.

Other Candidate’s Respond

In a statement made Monday, Pillen’s campaign manager says the current governor is the “only commonsense conservative in this race.” He continued on to say, “The Governor is working relentlessly to deliver real property tax relief, keep our communities safe, protect babies, and make life more affordable. Lindstrom’s record aligns more with liberal policies — raising gas taxes, supporting giveaways for illegal aliens and his friends, and supporting soft-on-crime policies — than Nebraska’s conservative values. He’s a failed career politician who will do and say anything to see his name on the ballot again and again.”

Beard responded to the news of Lindstrom submitting his signatures on Monday.

“I hope he will push out of the box thinking for Nebraska and embrace the massive revenue a functioning medical cannabis business would bring to Nebraska’s depleted finances, and how industrial hemp is a realistic crop option for our struggling farmers,” said Beard. “I also look forward to having a candidate that will debate me and push new thinking for leadership that is currently failing us.”

In a statement, Walz said she is remaining focused on the issues she said need to be addressed.

“Even though more candidates are entering the race, my focus is staying the same. It’s always been about lowering costs for working families and growing our state,” Walz wrote.

Lindstrom, who served as a state senator from 2015 to 2023, ran for governor in 2022. He lost to Pillen in the Republican primary, and then later endorsed Pillen in that race.

In January, Lindstrom withdrew his name from the race for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District seat.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.

NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |