Incumbent Republican Governor Dave Heineman is term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term.

Republicans Jon Bruning,[1] Tom Carlson,[2] Mike Foley,[3] Beau McCoy,[4] Pete Ricketts[5] and Bryan Slone;[6] Democrat Chuck Hassebrook[7] and Libertarian Mark G. Elworth Jr. ran.

[21] Incumbent Republican auditor of public accounts of Nebraska Mike Foley did not run for re-election to a third term.

District 2 incumbent Democrat Anne C. Boyle, who was first elected in 1996, retired rather than run for re-election to a fourth term.

Republicans Sid Dinsdale,[30] Clifton Johnson,[31] Bart McLeay,[32] Shane Osborn[33] and Ben Sasse;[34] Democrats David Domina[35] and Larry Marvin[36] and Independents Jim Jenkins[37] and Todd Watson[38] ran.