Five candidates are running in the nonpartisan primary for mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, on April 1, 2025. Three lead in polling and fundraising: Mayor Jean Stothert, John Ewing Jr., and Mike McDonnell. The filing deadline for this election was Feb. 28, 2025.
Stothert was first elected in 2013. She is campaigning on her record: “My vision for the future is obviously to make sure that I see a lot of projects that we started finished, but continue to help Omaha grow and thrive and attract more jobs and businesses here.” She wants to improve public safety and says on her website, “Public safety is my top priority… As we move forward, I pledge to maintain leadership in innovative policing and emergency response.” Stothert is affiliated with the Republican Party.
Ewing Jr. is the treasurer of Douglas County. He is campaigning on his experience, saying, “I have a proven track record of 42 years of public service…when I ran for re-election, I had the highest vote totals in both of those elections, so I believe that shows the citizens are happy with the level of leadership I’m providing in the treasurer’s office.” He wants to spur economic growth in the city. His website says, “We will actively work to attract new businesses, support local entrepreneurs, and invest in infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic development and job creation.” Ewing Jr. is affiliated with the Democratic Party.
McDonnell is a former state Senator for District 5. McDonnell wants to reduce government spending and says the city “[has] to control spending… The first day in office … we’re going to zero out the budget and do performance-based budgeting.” McDonnell wants to create special zones to help get homeless individuals off the street, saying, “What we want to do is create a safe zone where people can come to an area and make sure that they have the facilities, they have the basic needs and counseling.” McDonnell switched his party affiliation from the Democratic to the Republican Party in April 2024. For more information on state legislators who switched parties, click here.
In Omaha, a streetcar is currently under construction and is expected to be operational in 2028. The development of the streetcar has become an issue in the race. McDonnell has criticized the construction of the streetcar and wants to stop it and put the plan on the ballot, saying, “If I’m wrong, and the people decide they want the streetcar, I’ll work night and day to make it successful, but I don’t believe that’s what the people want.” Ewing Jr. is also critical of the project but would maintain it because it is too far in progress, saying, “I believe this decision is detrimental to Omaha… it’s unfortunately too late to stop it. Legal action at this point would be costly and likely unsuccessful.” Stothert defends the plan as helping to facilitate economic growth. Her website says, “Initiatives such as the modern streetcar project will seamlessly connect our attractions and employers with popular entertainment districts and university campuses, fostering a vibrant, accessible community that attracts new businesses and young professionals.”
Terry Brewer and Jasmine Harris are also running. Ballotpedia could not identify a partisan affiliation for Brewer, while Harris is affiliated with the Democratic Party.
Omaha is one of 25 of the 100 most populous U.S. cities with a Republican mayor. It ranks as the 38th largest U.S. city and the sixth largest Republican-led city. For more information on the partisan affiliation of the top 100 mayors in the U.S., click here.