Jim Pillen

Republican | Nebraska

Jim Pillen websites FacebookXYouTube

Candidate Profile

Jim Pillen — Governor (Nebraska Primary | May 12, 2026) Jim Pillen — Governor (Nebraska General | November 8, 2022) Jim Pillen — Governor (Nebraska Primary | May 10, 2022)
Governor Nebraska General | November 3, 2026
Ratings & research below apply to this race only — Select to see 3 other races

Verified Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Animal Science

Kansas State University, Manhattan, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

WORK & MILITARY

Candidate did not provide

AFFILIATIONS

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Governor of Nebraska, 2022-

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Candidate did not provide

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (6)

National Rifle Association NRA-PVF

Nebraska Right to Life

National Right To Life

Steve Scalise

Mike Jacobson

OTHER (1)

President Donald J. Trump

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (34)

Brinker Harding (2026)

Jim Pillen (2026)

Don Bacon (2025)

Bold Active Conservatives of Nebraska (Bacon PAC) (2024)

Deb Fischer (2024)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)

Jim Pillen (2026)

National Right to Life Committee (2018)

Citizens for a Better Nebraska (2012)

Pete Ricketts (2012)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)

WPG PAC (2022)

OTHER INFORMATION

Candidate's grade from pro-marijuana group, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)

Jim Pillen

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

Nebraska is a pro-life state – & babies deserve to be protected. In 2024, Nebraskans voted to approve Initiative 434, creating constitutional protections for babies after the first trimester — while defeating the pro-abortion Initiative 439. I also signed an EO banning taxpayer dollars through Medicaid from subsidizing abortion providers like Planned Parenthood in Nebraska.? My position is transparent & supported by the vast majority of Nebraskans. It is pro-baby, pro-mom, & pro-science.

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Even one elective abortion is too many.

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Strongly Agree

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Did not answer

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Strongly Agree


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I support policies that encourage business growth and economic development. While it’s important to have a safety net, we keep seeing minimum wages go up leading to fewer jobs and less opportunity — especially for younger workers.

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

Running government like a business.  Reducing spending.  Cutting taxes.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

I will always defend religious liberty.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

Did not answer

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Strongly Disagree


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

My administration is leading by countering Chinese Communist Party aggression. By prohibiting foreign ownership of Nebraska agricultural land, ending the use of Chinese-owned equipment in government, and signing an executive order banning CCP technology from state agencies and contractors, we’re safeguarding the people and future of our state.

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes. ? Having visited Israel, the existing trade relationship between Nebraska and Israel is tremendous. It was also enormously impactful to bear witness to the alliance between our two countries and the gratitude the people of Israel have for America’s support for their frontline fight against violent Islamist extremism. America and Israel are in the same fight.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Agree

I think it’s beyond time to return those powers and decisions to the states and restore local control, giving families more freedom.? Since the Department of Education was formed as a standalone department in 1980, we’ve seen its budget and workforce bloat — but we haven’t seen improved outcomes for students, parents, or teachers. We clearly aren’t getting what we’re paying for.

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Did not answer


VALUES

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Strongly Agree

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Strongly Agree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Did not answer

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Did not answer

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

?I believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Lifelong Catholic. ?


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

I signed voter ID legislation into law in 2023.


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Did not answer

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree

I signed legislation preventing biological boys from competing in girls’ sports. Girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms should be only for biological women.


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Did not answer

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

?Nuclear and coal energy have both been proven to be safe and efficient. ?


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Conservative

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

To get bad guys off our streets and help to rehabilitate those who are serious about a productive return to society. ?

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

? I believe in our 2nd Amendment rights and signed constitutional carry into law.

If you are not already receiving our updates, stay current with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.

I agree to receive text messages at the mobile number provided.