Jim Pillen — Republican Candidate for Governor in Nebraska, 2026

Governor Jim Pillen supports border security and immigration enforcement, initiating an ICE detention facility in McCook and directing the Nebraska National Guard and State Patrol to assist federal immigration agents. He emphasizes that ICE should focus on "criminal illegal aliens" to protect citizens from threats like trafficking and drugs. Pillen also views the detention facility as a financial gain for Nebraska and does not support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented families.

“Because of our shared commitment to border security and immigration enforcement, Nebraska became one of the first states in the nation to establish an ICE detention facility to help get criminal illegal aliens off our streets. We have a simple message: Nebraska is proud to be doing our part to get the border secure and to protect America’s kids from criminals who traffic people, gang violence, and drugs like fentanyl and meth." - Governor Jim Pillen, State of the State Address, 2026.”

Jim Pillen proposes significant budget cuts to Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services, totaling over $152 million across current and next fiscal years, explaining that reduced spending leads to tax relief. He also supports implementing work requirements for Medicaid recipients, positioning Nebraska as the first state to do so, aiming to integrate able-bodied Nebraskans into the community. Additionally, he noted Nebraska received $218 million from the Rural Health Transformation program.

““We’re not out here to take everybody to the curb,” he said. Instead, he said, the aim is “making sure we get every able-bodied Nebraskan to be a part of our community.” - Jim Pillen, AP News, June 2, 2025”

Research pending more substantial sources.

Governor Jim Pillen signed proclamations confirming the adoption of Initiative 434, which enshrined abortion restrictions in Nebraska's constitution. He advocates for stricter abortion legislation, including a "heartbeat" bill that would restrict abortions from approximately six weeks. Pillen also signed an order to prevent state tax dollars from going to Nebraska abortion providers. He thanked supporters for backing Initiative 434 and defeating Initiative 439, emphasizing "pro-life protections."

““Initiative 434 passed, enshrining pro-life protections in our Constitution that cannot be watered down by pro-abortion politicians,” Pillen said in a statement Wednesday. “Simultaneously, Nebraskans rejected Initiative 439 and its radical creation of a fundamental right to abortion. It is a great day for unborn babies in Nebraska.” (Jim Pillen, Nebraska Examiner, November 6, 2024)”

Jim Pillen championed and signed LB 644, a law designed to protect Nebraska's infrastructure, land, and technology from foreign adversaries like China. He also expressed opposition to Chinese ownership in U.S. agriculture, specifically stating, "My suggestion would be to leave," when referring to the company Syngenta. Additionally, Pillen introduced legislation to prohibit Nebraska universities from accepting funding from foreign adversaries. His actions reflect a focus on state-level protection against perceived foreign threats.

““My suggestion would be to leave.” (Jim Pillen, at a press conference in front of the U.S. Department of Agriculture building in Washington, as reported by Nebraska Examiner on February 13, 2026)”

Jim Pillen proposes school vouchers and supports opting into a federal scholarship tax credit program to expand educational freedom. He opposes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education, advocating for academic rigor and race blindness. He also supports legislation (LB1050) requiring 3rd graders unable to read adequately to repeat the grade and (LB1053) restoring the ability to suspend young students for behavioral issues.

““We are Nebraska, not a woke ivory tower on the coast,” Pillen said, as reported by the Nebraska Examiner on January 15, 2026.”

Jim Pillen consistently supports the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, emphasizing the right of law-abiding citizens to self-defense. He opposes new gun restrictions, including red-flag laws and raising the minimum age for gun ownership, reasoning that people are the problem, not firearms. As governor, he signed LB77 into law, establishing constitutional carry in Nebraska, aligning with his commitment to protecting constitutional freedoms.

“I do not believe that guns are the problem. People are the problem, and we have to do a better job." — Jim Pillen, Nebraska Examiner, June 2, 2022”