Republican incumbent Dave Heineman was re-elected to a full term, defeating Democrat David Hahn.

However, this changed when Mike Johanns resigned in January 2005 to become United States Secretary of Agriculture; this elevated Lieutenant Governor Dave Heineman to the governorship.

The other two candidates for the Republican nomination were former Nebraska Cornhuskers football coach Tom Osborne—then serving in the United States House of Representatives—and Omaha businessman Dave Nabity.

Osborne named Kate Witek, the Nebraska State Auditor, as his running mate for the office of lieutenant governor.

Senator Ben Nelson reelected, it was very likely that most Democrats didn't want to face the possibility of running against the immensely popular Osborne.