Four takeaways from Nebraska and West Virginia’s primary elections

The results from Tuesday’s primary elections in Nebraska and West Virginia are largely in, setting several candidates up for competitive battles ahead of the general election this fall. 

Outside of the secretary of state’s race, in which Bob Evnen suffered a bruising loss, incumbents in Nebraska generally did well. Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) handily secured the Republican Party’s nomination in his bid for reelection and is set to face Democrat Lynne Walz in November. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) was among other incumbents advancing their bids for reelection, clinching over 81% of ballots counted. 

In Nebraska, Democrats pulled off an unusual election strategy in the state’s U.S. Senate race, with the party boosting Cindy Burbank. Burbank bested William Forbes, an alleged Republican “plant,” by an 89% to 10% margin, as of early Wednesday morning. Burbank has pledged to step aside for independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn.

Democrats see Osborn as their best chance