Trending Now - Election Denier Secures GOP Nomination for Key Election Role

WHO:

Alternet - Scott Petersen, Omaha businessman, defeated Bob Evnen, Nebraska Secretary of State.

Alternet - Petersen received endorsements from at least 18 county Republican parties.

Alternet - Bob Evnen was a two-term incumbent Secretary of State.

Alternet - U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., criticized Petersen.

WHAT:

Alternet - Petersen won the Republican primary with 55% of the vote, leading Evnen by more than 16,000 votes.

NBC News Politics - Petersen raised questions about election integrity and ballot security during his campaign.

Alternet - Evnen described Nebraska’s elections system as the “gold standard.”

Alternet - Evnen stated, “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve the great state of Nebraska as your Secretary of State.”

Alternet - Petersen will face Democratic primary winner Sarah Slattery in the general election.

WHERE:

Alternet - The primary took place in Nebraska.

Alternet - Petersen is based in Omaha, Nebraska.

WHEN:

Alternet - The primary election occurred on a Tuesday, with results reported late that night.

WHY:

Alternet - Petersen criticized Evnen’s handling of the state’s election systems, particularly in vote counting.

Alternet - Petersen stated, “People having confidence in election systems is a big deal,” indicating his motivation for running.

HOW:

Alternet - Petersen promised to conduct full hand counts of races and questioned the security of ballot-counting machines.

Alternet - Evnen conducted a “transparency tour” advocating for the accuracy testing of Nebraska’s ballot-counting machines.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 17:43 UTC)

Scott Petersen, an Omaha businessman, has won the Republican primary in Nebraska, defeating two-term incumbent Secretary of State Bob Evnen by securing fifty-five percent of the vote and leading by more than 16,000 votes. Petersen, who received endorsements from at least 18 county Republican parties, will face Democratic primary winner Sarah Slattery in the upcoming general election. Throughout his campaign, Petersen raised concerns about election integrity and ballot security, promising to implement full hand counts of races, while Evnen defended Nebraska's election system as the "gold standard."