Lynne Walz Governor, (Courtesy)
FREMONT — Lynne Walz announced she is launching an exploratory committee for Governor of Nebraska.
“Our political system is broken. It’s no longer Republican versus Democrat, it’s top versus bottom. That’s dangerous. Politicians on both sides are no longer interested in fighting for the average person, and we’re suffering because of that. I’m exploring a run because we need change. We need leaders who are more interested in working for common-sense solutions and people, not political parties and self-serving billionaires.”
Walz served in the Nebraska Legislature from 2017-2025, representing District 15, which consists of Dodge County and a small portion of western Douglas County. Walz won the deeply conservative district by defeating an incumbent in 2016, swinging the district over 35 points, and then winning re-election by 19 points in 2020. In her tenure, she championed and successfully passed legislation that strengthened and made our public schools more safe, built and improved roads to spur economic development, and supported our first responders to keep our families safe which won her the Legislator of the Year award from the Fraternal Order of Police. She was elected by her colleagues from both parties to chair the Education Committee in 2021.
“I got things done in the Legislature because I worked across party lines to solve problems and bring opportunity to people who live here. Partisan politics, greed, and the desire to gain power and control are not values Nebraskans share. My faith teaches me to love thy neighbor as myself, and that is how I have always led as an elected official, community leader, and mother. While we have a moral obligation to help those in need, government shouldn’t be responsible for solving every person’s problems. It should work with businesses and workers alike to create opportunities so the hard-working people of Nebraska can improve their own lives.”
“Right now people are struggling with the high property taxes and the rising costs of healthcare, housing, and daycare. We have to leave the partisan bickering of national politics behind and get back to finding solutions to the problems facing Nebraskans every day. We need to take the best ideas from all sides and solve these issues with a plan that unites us around our shared values of honesty, hard-work, protecting our freedoms, supporting and protecting our families, and treating our neighbors with the kindness that defines Nebraskans.”
Across every chapter of her life, Lynne Walz has lived by the same values: hard work, compassion, and service rooted in faith. Walz grew up on a small hog farm north of Fremont and her first jobs included helping with chores and detasseling in the summer. Throughout her career, she’s held numerous roles, including working as a caretaker for women with disabilities, as an elementary school teacher, as a realtor, and working numerous odd jobs to make ends meet for her family. She has served her local church as a Sunday school and Bible school teacher. As a community leader, she served on the board of directors for the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Fremont Board of Realtors, and has volunteered with Kiwanis and other local service organizations.
“I understand the struggles most people face because I’ve lived them – from working on a farm, teaching in the classroom, and raising our family. I’ve had many conversations with Nebraskans who tell me that they are tired of the corruption, finger pointing, and self-serving policies that enrich politicians and their billionaire friends. We need to elect average people who truly understand what the real world actually looks like for most people and will work to create opportunity and improve the quality of life for individuals and families.”
Walz is planning a state-wide listening tour where she plans to talk with business and community leaders, farmers and ranchers, healthcare and education professionals, and the average Nebraskan who just wants to go to work and come home with a paycheck that can support their families and build a better future for themselves and their children.
Lynne and her husband, Chris, have three adult children and seven grandchildren and still reside in Fremont, where Lynne has lived all of her life.
More information on Lynne’s background is below. For a high-resolution picture of Lynne, click here. Lynne will be available for one on one interviews throughout the day on Monday, November 24th. Please schedule using press@lynnewalz.com.
About Lynne
Lynne Walz has spent her life putting Nebraska values into action—hard work, compassion, and service to others. A farm kid from outside Fremont, Lynne grew up hauling water, feeding animals, and learning that nothing gets done without rolling up your sleeves. Those lessons shaped who she is today.
Lynne is running for Governor because Nebraska needs leaders focused on solving problems, not scoring political points. She’ll bring people together to strengthen public schools, keep property taxes in check, and make sure young people can build their futures right here at home.
After high school, Lynne worked as a caretaker for women with developmental disabilities—an experience that taught her deep empathy and has guided her throughout her life. As a young mom, she returned to school at Midland Lutheran College while raising her kids, running an in-home daycare, and working multiple jobs to get ahead.
With her education degree, Lynne continued serving others—working for a nonprofit supporting people with developmental disabilities and later teaching in both public and Catholic schools. She also stepped into community leadership on the Bergan School Board, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, and the Fremont Board of Realtors.
A lifelong Lutheran, Lynne directs Vacation Bible School and serves on her church council. Her faith grounds her daily decisions and her commitment to treating people with dignity.
In 2016, Lynne was elected to the Legislature—defeating an incumbent Republican in a district Trump carried by 33 points—and was re-elected in 2020. She earned a reputation for reaching across the aisle and delivering results: expanding rural broadband, accelerating highway projects, strengthening teacher recruitment, and supporting first responders. She opposed efforts to defund the police and was honored as Legislator of the Year by the Fraternal Order of Police.
Lynne and her husband, Chris, live in Fremont. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren.
Lynne Walz believes Nebraska’s best days are ahead—and she’s ready to lead with common sense, responsibility, and respect.
