Why It Matters
The Nebraska gubernatorial race has expanded beyond the traditional two-party framework as former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom enters the field under a third-party banner. This development introduces a new competitive dynamic to the upcoming November election, potentially altering voter behavior and ballot dynamics in the one-state legislature.
What Happened
As first reported by nebraskaexaminer.com, former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom registered with the America First Party on Thursday, seeking a return to the governor’s race after his previous nonpartisan bid failed to qualify for the ballot. The 45-year-old political figure submitted a new batch of signatures intended to secure a place on the November ballot under this party affiliation.
Lindstrom retained Mike Picard as his running mate. Picard, an Omaha resident, is a Navy veteran and currently serves as the director and head coach of the ENVY Volleyball Club. The partnership continues from Lindstrom’s earlier attempt to reach voters as an independent candidate.
This filing follows a significant setback in mid-August when Lindstrom’s nonpartisan campaign collapsed due to insufficient valid signatures. That effort required 4,000 verified signatures but only yielded 3,358 valid ones from a total submission of 5,765. The failure was compounded by legal issues involving petition circulators.
Six out-of-state individuals were arrested in Lincoln on suspicion of gathering fraudulent signatures for various campaigns. Three of those detainees had worked on Lindstrom’s campaign. In Lancaster County specifically, only 24.6% of the 2,210 signatures submitted by Lindstrom’s team were accepted, amounting to approximately 542 valid endorsements.
Lindstrom has a long history in Nebraska politics. He served in the state Legislature from 2015 to 2023. A lifelong Republican until March of this year, he previously sought the GOP nomination for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District in 2014 and ran for governor in 2022, ultimately losing to Jim Pillen. He ended his congressional run earlier this year in January before switching to nonpartisan status.
By the Numbers
25 — Minimum valid signatures required from new America First Party members to qualify
64 — Approximate number of signatures Lindstrom submitted for the new party bid
Aug. 26 — Start date for voter registration for the America First Party and Nebraska Working People Party
3,358 — Number of valid signatures accepted in Lindstrom’s failed nonpartisan bid
4,000 — Valid signatures required for nonpartisan ballot qualification
24.6% — Acceptance rate of Lindstrom’s signatures in Lancaster County
63 days — Time remaining until the general election
Past Legal Challenges
The path to the ballot has been fraught with legal hurdles for both Lindstrom and third-party efforts in Nebraska. The Nebraska Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court ruling that rejected objections raised by Republican and Democratic parties regarding new political entities. This judicial decision allowed the America First Party and the Nebraska Working People Party to proceed with registration processes starting August 26.
The fraud allegations surrounding petition gathering have cast a shadow over third-party qualification efforts. The arrest of circulators in Lincoln highlighted concerns about signature verification integrity, particularly given that some were linked to Lindstrom’s campaign operations. These incidents underscore the rigorous scrutiny applied to ballot access challenges in Nebraska elections.
Zoom Out
The emergence of the America First Party reflects a broader national trend of third-party movements gaining traction outside the traditional Democratic and Republican duopoly. Similar parties have appeared in various states, often leveraging dissatisfaction with established party platforms on spending, accountability, and policy direction.
In Nebraska, the political landscape is uniquely shaped by its nonpartisan legislative structure, but executive races remain highly competitive between major parties. The entry of a former incumbent like Lindstrom into a third-party lane tests the state’s electoral laws and voter preferences. It also mirrors national patterns where voters seek alternatives to mainstream candidates, though historical data shows few third-party successes in statewide executive offices.
What’s Next
Lindstrom must now wait for election officials to verify the approximately 64 signatures he submitted under the America First Party banner. He needs a minimum of 25 valid signatures from newly registered party members to secure ballot placement. With 63 days remaining until the election, the certification process will determine whether this revived bid proceeds or ends like his nonpartisan attempt.
The outcome will influence the final composition of the November ballot and potentially impact voter turnout and strategy for major-party candidates. As registration deadlines pass and verification concludes, the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office will finalize the official ballot listings.