1-point margin of victory made this the closest Republican gubernatorial primary in 92 years, since the 1922 primary in which Charles Randall defeated Adam McMullen by 0.6 points. Candidates Declared Jon Bruning, Nebraska Attorney General and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008 and 2012 Tom Carlson, state senator Mike Foley, Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts Beau McCoy, state senator Pete Ricketts, former COO of TD Ameritrade and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2006 Bryan Slone, tax attorney and Managing Partner of the Omaha office of Deloitte Withdrew Mike Flood, former Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature Charles Herbster, businessman Charlie Janssen, state senator (running for State Auditor) Rick Sheehy, former Lieutenant Governor Declined Tim Clare, Regent of the University of Nebraska Rex Fischer, HDR executive Jeff Fortenberry, U.S. Representative Lavon Heidemann, Lieutenant Governor David Kramer, Republican National Committee member and attorney Bob Krist, state senator Ben Sasse, President of Midland University (running for the U.S. Senate) Don Stenberg, Treasurer of Nebraska, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1996, 2006 and 2012 and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2000 (running for re-election) Endorsements Polling Results Democratic primary Candidates Declared Chuck Hassebrook, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Affairs, former Regent of the University of Nebraska and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 Withdrew Annette Dubas, state senator Declined Chris Beutler, Mayor of Lincoln Steve Lathrop, state senator Mike Meister, attorney, nominee for Attorney General of Nebraska in 2002 and nominee for Governor in 2010 Endorsements Results Libertarian primary Candidates Declared Mark Elworth, Jr. Results Debates September 1 debate Chuck Hassebrook and Pete Ricketts sparred over education policy, economics and full-time residency in Lincoln at the Nebraska State Fair. Hassebrook opposed school vouchers for public school students, suggesting that tax dollars should be used to improve public schools. Ricketts countered that a gradual voucher policy would help students while keeping money in public schools. The duo showed stark differences in economic policy, with Hassebrook supporting a minimum wage increase and Ricketts opposing an increased wage. Moderator Mike'l Severe asked both candidates if they would reside in the governor's mansion full-time if elected. Ricketts, who has three children attending school in Omaha, said that he had not made a final decision on the question. Hassebrook stated that Nebraska needs a "full-time governor" and that he would live in Lincoln because "40 hours a week is a vacation." October 2