Incumbent Commissioner Frank Landis ran for re-election, and faced no opposition in either the Republican primary or general election.
Incumbent Commissioner Tim Schram ran for re-election, and faced no opposition in either the Republican primary or general election.
Rachel Wise, a former school administrator, and the chief operating officer of an education nonprofit, and Tom Schommer, a businessman who owned a wireless communications company, both ran to succeed Scheer.
Wise, a Democrat, campaigned on supporting local control, reevaluating standardized testing requirements, and strengthening teacher preparation efforts, while Schommer emphasized that, as an outsider "not from the education industry," he had "no vested interest or agenda in running for the office, other than just improving achievement levels for kids.
Veterinarian Jim Pillen, who also owned his family's pork business;[7] attorney David Couple;[8] and manufacturing executive Tony Raimondo Jr. all ran to succeed him.
[11] He was challenged by Larry Bradley, an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha and a member of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District board.
State Senator Lavon Heidemann, insurance company owner Mike Jones, and former Regent Robert Prokop ran to succeed him.
A crowded field emerged to replace him, with former Omaha Mayor and Congressman Hal Daub; attorney Ann Ferlic Ashford, the daughter of Ferlic and wife of State Senator Brad Ashford; investment banker Mark Lakers, who was the original Democratic nominee for Governor in 2010 before dropping out after a campaign finance scandal; and businessman Carl Jennings all running.