May 13 Election Report | Evnen falls, CD2 narrows, Walz advances

This is a Nebraska Update Special Election Report from the Nebraska Public Media Newsroom for May 13. Incumbent Secretary of State Bob Evnen lost in the biggest upset of Nebraska's primary election night in one of the state's most closely watched statewide contests. Democrat Denise Powell edged ahead of John Cavanaugh in the late hours of the Democratic Second Congressional District primary. Chris Backemyer secured the Democratic nomination in the First Congressional District and will face Mike Flood in November. Republican voters in the Third Congressional District chose their incumbent Adrian Smith once again. Gov. Jim Pillen will face former state Sen. Lynne Walz in the general election. Sen. Pete Ricketts cruised to victory with about 80 percent of the Republican primary vote in the U.S. Senate Republican primary. Six candidates advanced in University of Nebraska Board of Regents races. Two races for the Nebraska Legislature in Omaha delivered surprising results.