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Mayoral election in Omaha, Nebraska (2025)

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← 2021
2025 Omaha elections
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Election dates
Filing deadline: February 28, 2025
Primary election: April 1, 2025
General election: May 13, 2025
Election stats
Offices up: Mayor
Total seats up: 1 (click here for other city elections)
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2025

John Ewing Jr. defeated incumbent Jean Stothert in the nonpartisan election for mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, on May 13, 2025.[1] Stothert was affiliated with the Republican Party, while Ewing Jr. was affiliated with the Democratic Party.[2][3] Ewing Jr. became the city's first Democratic mayor since 2013.[4]

Omaha World Herald's Henry J. Cordes and Julie Anderson wrote before the election, "While the mayor’s race is officially nonpartisan ... that doesn’t mean partisan politics doesn’t come into play."[5] In Omaha, Democrats were 39% of the electorate, and Republicans were 33%.[6] Consultant Ryan Horn said the results of the primary and higher turnout in the general election would help Ewing: "I think the Democrats overperformed, and I think Jean underperformed — and that will make people think, 'There’s a race to be had here.'"[7]

Stothert was first elected in 2013. She campaigned on her record: "My vision for the future is obviously to make sure that I see a lot of projects that we started finished, but continue to help Omaha grow and thrive and attract more jobs and businesses here."[8] Stothert wanted to improve public safety and said on her website, "Public safety is my top priority. ... As we move forward, I pledge to maintain leadership in innovative policing and emergency response."[9]

Ewing Jr. was the treasurer of Douglas County. He campaigned on his experience, and said, "I have a proven track record of 42 years of public service. Also, I believe if you look at the vote totals from the past two election cycles in 2018 and 2022 when I ran for re-election, I had the highest vote totals in both of those elections, so I believe that shows the citizens are happy with the level of leadership I’m providing in the treasurer’s office."[10] He said he wanted to spur economic growth in the city. His website said, "We will actively work to attract new businesses, support local entrepreneurs, and invest in infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic development and job creation."[11]

Ewing campaigned on a message of change and said the primary results showed that "65% of voters wanted a new mayor. ... The most important thing an elected leader can do is be responsive."[12] Stothert said her record in office was representative of the city and said, "When I became mayor, I said 'I will be the mayor for everyone,' and I think over the past last 12 years, I’ve showed that."[12]

Omaha was one of 25 of the 100 most populous U.S. cities with a Republican mayor. It ranked as the 38th largest U.S. city and the sixth largest Republican-led city. For more information on the partisan affiliation of the top 100 mayors in the U.S., click here.

This page covers the general election. For information on the April 1 primary, click here.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Mayor of Omaha

John Ewing Jr. defeated incumbent Jean Stothert and Jerome Wallace Sr. in the general election for Mayor of Omaha on May 13, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of John Ewing Jr.
John Ewing Jr. (Nonpartisan)
 
56.8
 
53,671
Image of Jean Stothert
Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)
 
42.9
 
40,531
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jerome Wallace Sr. (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
267

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 94,469
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Omaha

Incumbent Jean Stothert and John Ewing Jr. defeated Mike McDonnell, Jasmine Harris, and Terry Brewer in the primary for Mayor of Omaha on April 1, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jean Stothert
Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)
 
36.2
 
27,245
✔
Image of John Ewing Jr.
John Ewing Jr. (Nonpartisan)
 
32.7
 
24,605
Image of Mike McDonnell
Mike McDonnell (Nonpartisan)
 
20.0
 
15,039
Image of Jasmine Harris
Jasmine Harris (Nonpartisan)
 
10.2
 
7,706
Image of Terry Brewer
Terry Brewer (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
0.7
 
563
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
50

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 75,208
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Voting information

The following information came from the Douglas County Election Commission's website[13]:


  • Monday, January 13, 2025: First day to request an early voting ballot for City of Omaha general.
  • Friday, April 25, 2025: Deadline for voter registration.
  • Monday, April 28, 2025: First day for early voting ballots to be received.
  • Friday, May 2, 2025: Deadline for in-person voter registration at election commission office, 6:00 p.m.
  • Friday, May 2, 2025: Deadline for early voting ballots to be requested to be mailed, 6:00 p.m.
  • Friday, May 2, 2025: Deadline for replacement ballots to be requested to be mailed, 6:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 8, 2025: Extended office hours for early voting at Election Commission office, 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 10, 2025: Saturday hours for early voting at the Election Commission office, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Monday, May 12, 2025: Deadline for in-person early voting at election commission office, 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 13, 2025: City of Omaha General Election Day. Polls open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 20, 2025: Deadline for voters who failed to present valid photo ID at time of voting to present valid photo ID at the election commission, 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 22, 2025: Deadline for verification of provisional ballots, 5:00 p.m.

Candidate comparison

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Jean Stothert

Image of Jean Stothert

WebsiteTwitter

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: 

Biography:  Stothert received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Seattle Pacific University in 1981. She worked as a nurse and a nursing manager.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Stothert campaigned on continuing the work she had done in office: "My vision for the future is obviously to make sure that I see a lot of projects that we started finished, but continue to help Omaha grow and thrive and attract more jobs and businesses here."

Stothert campaigned on improving public safety. Her website said "Public safety is my top priority... As we move forward, I pledge to maintain leadership in innovative policing and emergency response."

Stothert campaigned on continuing to build infrastructure. Her website said: "Since assuming office, we have issued more than 181,000 commercial and residential building permits for a value of nearly $11 billion, signaling a thriving and dynamic future for our city."

Show sources

Sources: KETV, "Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert officially files paperwork for re-election," February 20, 2025; Jean Stothert 2025 campaign website, "Priorities," accessed March 13, 2025; Seattle Pacific University, "Alumna Is Omaha’s First Female Mayor," accessed March 12, 2025

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Omaha in 2025.

John Ewing Jr.

Image of John Ewing Jr.

WebsiteFacebook

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Biography:  Ewing Jr. received his bachelor's degrees in business and criminal justice and his master's degree in urban studies from the University of Omaha. He worked as a police officer and as a professor.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Ewing Jr. campaigned on his experience in public office saying "I have a proven track record of 42 years of public service...when I ran for re-election, I had the highest vote totals in both of those elections, so I believe that shows the citizens are happy with the level of leadership I’m providing in the treasurer’s office."

Ewing Jr. said hw would bring economic growth to Omaha. His website said he would "actively work to attract new businesses, support local entrepreneurs, and invest in infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic development and job creation."

Ewing Jr. campaigned on improving public safety and his website said he would be "dedicated to implementing comprehensive strategies that will ensure the safety of our city. These strategies include a focus on community policing, proper officer training, and clear accountability standards that protect both officers and the public."

Show sources

Sources: WOWT, "Election 2025: John Ewing officially announces run for Omaha mayor," April 4, 2024; John Ewing 2025 campaign website, "Homepage," accessed March 13, 2025; LinkedIn, "John Ewing Jr," accessed March 13, 2025

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Omaha in 2025.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

No candidate in this race completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.


Candidate ads

Grey.png Jean Stothert

View more ads here:

Grey.png John Ewing Jr.

Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for John Ewing Jr. while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.


Endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

Ballotpedia researchers did not identify any candidate websites that provide endorsement information. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.

Election spending

Campaign finance

Candidates in this election submitted campaign finance reports to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. Click here to see those reports.

Satellite spending

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[14][15][16]

If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.

Election context

Ballot access requirements

Information on ballot access requirements for candidates can be found here.

Past elections

2021

See also: Mayoral election in Omaha, Nebraska (2021)

General election

General election for Mayor of Omaha

Incumbent Jean Stothert defeated RJ Neary in the general election for Mayor of Omaha on May 11, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jean Stothert
Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)
 
64.4
 
62,646
Image of RJ Neary
RJ Neary (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
34.8
 
33,822
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.9
 
859

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 97,327
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Omaha

The following candidates ran in the primary for Mayor of Omaha on April 6, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jean Stothert
Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)
 
56.6
 
47,976
✔
Image of RJ Neary
RJ Neary (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
15.5
 
13,166
Image of Jasmine Harris
Jasmine Harris (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
14.2
 
12,002
Image of Kimara Snipes
Kimara Snipes (Nonpartisan)
 
8.8
 
7,472
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Mark Gudgel (Nonpartisan)
 
4.8
 
4,087
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jerome Wallace Sr. (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
106

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 84,809
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2017

See also: Municipal elections in Omaha, Nebraska (2017)

Incumbent Jean Stothert defeated Heath Mello in the general election for mayor of Omaha.[17]

Mayor of Omaha, General Election, 2017
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Jean Stothert Incumbent 52.78% 52,509
Heath Mello 47.01% 46,761
Write-in votes 0.21% 209
Total Votes 99,479
Source: Douglas County Election Commission, "Official Results," accessed June 28, 2017

Incumbent Jean Stothert and Heath Mello defeated Taylor Royal, Ean Mikale, and Christopher Geary in the primary election for mayor of Omaha.[17]

Mayor of Omaha, Primary Election, 2017
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Jean Stothert Incumbent 43.71% 25,501
Green check mark transparent.png Heath Mello 41.40% 24,155
Taylor Royal 10.78% 6,289
Ean Mikale 3.05% 1,781
Christopher Geary 0.94% 547
Write-in votes 0.11% 67
Total Votes 58,340
Source: Douglas County Election Commission, "Official Results," accessed April 25, 2017

2013

Stothert defeated incumbent mayor Jim Suttle on May 14, 2013.

Mayor of Omaha, 2013
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJean Stothert 57.2% 48,290
Jim Suttle Incumbent 42.8% 36,120
Total Votes 84,410
Source: Douglass County Official Election Results

Mayoral partisanship

Omaha has a Democratic mayor. As of September 2025, 66 mayors in the largest 100 cities by population are affiliated with the Democratic Party, 23 are affiliated with the Republican Party, one is affiliated with the Libertarian Party, three are independents, five identify as nonpartisan or unaffiliated, and two mayors' affiliations are unknown. Click here for a list of the 100 largest cities' mayors and their partisan affiliations.

Mayoral elections are officially nonpartisan in most of the nation's largest cities. However, many officeholders are affiliated with political parties. Ballotpedia uses one or more of the following sources to identify each officeholder's partisan affiliation: (1) direct communication from the officeholder, (2) current or previous candidacy for partisan office, or (3) identification of partisan affiliation by multiple media outlets.

Help inform our readers

Take our candidate survey

See also: Survey

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We ask all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Our survey helps voters better understand how their candidates think about the world and how they intend to govern—information they need to feel confident they're picking the best person for the role.

If you are a candidate, take our survey here. Or you can ask a candidate to take the survey by sharing the link with them.

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Endorsements can be particularly helpful for voters trying to decide between candidates in local races, which often feature nonpartisan candidates. Endorsements from individuals and organizations can help voters better understand policy differences between candidates in these cases where little or no other news coverage of policy stances exists.

Candidates, share endorsements here. Readers, share endorsements you know about here.

About the city

See also: Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha is a city in Douglas County, Nebraska. As of 2020, its population was 486,051.

City government

See also: Mayor-council government

The city of Omaha uses a strong mayor and city council system. In this form of municipal government, the city council serves as the city's primary legislative body while the mayor serves as the city's chief executive.[18]

Demographics

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Demographic Data for Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha Nebraska
Population 486,051 1,961,504
Land area (sq mi) 142 76,817
Race and ethnicity**
White 75.5% 85.3%
Black/African American 12.1% 4.8%
Asian 4% 2.5%
Native American 0.5% 0.9%
Pacific Islander 0% 0.1%
Other (single race) N/A 2.5%
Multiple 5% 3.9%
Hispanic/Latino 14.1% 11.2%
Education
High school graduation rate 89.8% 91.6%
College graduation rate 38.3% 32.5%
Income
Median household income $62,213 $63,015
Persons below poverty level 12% 10.4%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


Additional elections on the ballot

See also: Nebraska elections, 2025

What's on your ballot?
Click here to find out!

February 11, 2025
April 1, 2025
May 13, 2025

2025 battleground elections

See also: Battlegrounds

This is a battleground election. Other 2025 battleground elections include:

See also

Omaha, Nebraska Nebraska Municipal government Other local coverage
City of Omaha NE Seal.jpg
Seal of Nebraska.png
Municipal Government Final.png
Local Politics Image.jpg

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Decision Desk HQ, "Omaha Mayor General Election," accessed May 13, 2025
  2. ↑ WOWT, "Election 2025: Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert to run for fourth term," March 26, 2024
  3. ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "John Ewing Jr. a self-described 'nuts and bolts guy' will run for Omaha mayor," April 4, 2025
  4. ↑ The Hill, "Democrat ousts incumbent Republican in Omaha mayoral race," May 13, 2025
  5. ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Jean Stothert and John Ewing to square off in Omaha mayor general election," April 2, 2025
  6. ↑ Flatwater Free Press, "Blue not: House seat, mayor’s office stay red in Omaha ‘blue dot.’ Why?" January 9, 2025
  7. ↑ WOWT, "Election 2025 analysis: Omaha mayoral race could put party politics back in play," April 2, 2025
  8. ↑ KETV, "Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert officially files paperwork for re-election," February 20, 2025
  9. ↑ Jean Stothert 2025 campaign website, "Priorities", accessed March 12, 2025
  10. ↑ WOWT, "Election 2025: John Ewing officially announces run for Omaha mayor," April 4, 2024
  11. ↑ John Ewing 2025 campaign website, "John's Vision for Omaha," accessed March 12, 2025
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Omaha World-Herald, "Stothert, Ewing clash over streetcar, homelessness during first Omaha general election debate," April 17, 2025
  13. ↑ Douglas County Election Commission, "Election Deadlines," accessed March 12, 2025
  14. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
  15. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
  16. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Douglas County Election Commission, "Candidate Information," accessed February 28, 2017
  18. ↑ City of Omaha, "About our Government," accessed October 22, 2014
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