Republican Gov. Jim Pillen and former Democratic state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont each leaned into conservative support from former lawmakers Monday in dueling events for Nebraska governor that also featured the National Rifle Association.
Pillen held a smaller gathering at 88 Tactical, a shooting range and gun training facility just outside Omaha, where he hailed endorsements from the NRA and former state Sen. Tom Brewer, who represented north central Nebraska. In 2023, Brewer achieved his long-sought goal to pass NRA-backed legislation for “constitutional carry,” to allow concealed carry without the need for a permit or training. In Brewer’s eighth and final year in 2024, he passed a law to allow teachers and staff at small schools or colleges to carry a weapon on school property, if approved ahead of time.
“It’s black and white,” Pillen said Monday. “If we can’t stand up and defend ourselves, if somebody’s against that, it’s just absolutely hard to comprehend.”
Walz held a virtual roundtable with former state Sens. Tim Gragert of Creighton, Mark Kolterman of Seward and John Stinner of Gering. All three represented reliably conservative districts but had more moderate records in the Legislature than Brewer. Kolterman and Stinner had already endorsed Walz before Monday. The trio spoke against Pillen’s handling of the state’s budget, property tax relief and open, accountable government. They said Walz was the best choice for governor.
“These senators know the stakes,” Walz said. “They’re putting Nebraska over party, and I’m proud to have them with me.”
Brewer, a 36-year military veteran, said he, too, is good friends with Walz, who he said is a really nice person. But when Nebraskans elect their governor, he said, “You need to look at a lifetime of work.” “You need to look at what they’ve actually done and how that’s going to impact the state of Nebraska, and that’s where I think I would like you to think through specifically the Second Amendment,” Brewer said.
On Brewer’s long-sought bill in 2023, for instance, Walz voted against. For multiple years, she avoided taking a position. “That bill is up in my house, framed as one of those pieces of legislation that I’ll be the proudest of,” Brewer said Monday. He said he “jumped” at the chance to speak about the Second Amendment and Pillen, who Brewer said never showed a sign of hesitation for his bill.
Brewer chaired the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee for four years. He served in the Legislature between 2017 and 2025, all eight years with Walz.
Gragert, a military veteran of 40 years, was a close ally of Brewer’s and supported his “constitutional carry” legislation repeatedly, as did Stinner and Kolterman. Gragert said everyone can “agree to disagree,” but at the end, “we must be willing to do what is right for Nebraskans.” “After serving with Lynne for four years, I believe she is a person who will listen to everyone before making a final decision,” Gragert said.
