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Jim Pillen
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen Visits Nebraska National Guardsmen Supporting the Upcoming 60th Presidential Inauguration (8835248) (cropped).jpg
Pillen in 2025
41st Governor of Nebraska
Assumed office
January 5, 2023
Lieutenant Joe Kelly
Preceded by Pete Ricketts
Personal details
Born (1955-12-31) December 31, 1955 (age 69)
Columbus, Nebraska, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse Suzanne Pillen
Children 4
Residence Governor's Mansion
Education University of Nebraska–Lincoln (BS)
Kansas State University (DVM)
College football career
No. 29
Position Defensive back
Career history
College Nebraska (1975–1978)
High school Lakeview (Columbus, Nebraska)
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Big Eight (1978)

Jim Pillen, born on December 31, 1955, is an American politician, veterinarian, and farmer. He is currently the 41st governor of Nebraska, a role he has held since 2023. He belongs to the Republican Party. Before becoming governor, Pillen was part of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents from 2013 to 2023.

Early Life and Education

Jim Pillen was born in Columbus, Nebraska. His parents, Dale and Dorothy Pillen, were farmers. His father, Dale, served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Jim's grandfather moved to the United States from Germany and also served in the U.S. military during World War I.

School and College Years

After finishing high school at Lakeview Junior-Senior High School in 1974, Pillen went to college. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Later, he received a degree in veterinary medicine from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Football Career

From 1975 to 1978, Pillen played defensive back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. Their coach was Tom Osborne. Pillen was recognized for his football achievements and was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Career Before Governor

Jim Pillen is a practicing veterinarian. He also leads Pillen Family Farms, a family business that acquired DNA Genetics in 2003.

Community Involvement

Pillen has been very involved in his community. He served as president of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. He also chaired the Columbus Community Hospital Board of Directors. From 2012 to 2023, he was a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. This board helps manage the University of Nebraska System. He was even the vice-chair in 2018 and the chair in 2020.

Running for Governor

Pillen was the Republican candidate for governor in the 2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election. During the primary election, he chose not to debate his opponents. He received support from the previous governor, Pete Ricketts, and former governor Kay A. Orr. Pillen won the Republican nomination with about 33.75% of the votes. His running mate was Joseph P. Kelly, a former U.S. Attorney. Pillen's campaign focused on his views on certain social issues and education topics. In the general election, he again chose not to debate his opponent, Carol Blood.

Pillen was elected governor with 59.2% of the votes. He officially started his term on January 5, 2023. A week after becoming governor, he appointed his predecessor, Pete Ricketts, to a United States Senate seat. This seat became open when Senator Ben Sasse resigned to become president of the University of Florida.

Governor of Nebraska

Election to Office

2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election results map by county
Final results by county in 2022:

The previous Republican governor, Pete Ricketts, could not run for a third term. Jim Pillen won the election for governor by a large margin of 23 points. The primary elections in Nebraska were held on May 10, 2022. Pillen won the Republican nomination, and state senator Carol Blood won the Democratic nomination.

The election became even more important in October 2022. U.S. Senator Ben Sasse announced he would resign. Governor Ricketts then said that the winner of the 2022 gubernatorial election would choose Sasse's replacement. After winning, Governor Pillen appointed Ricketts to fill the Senate seat.

Time as Governor

Signing ceremony for LB 514 on June 1, 2023
Governor Jim Pillen signs Legislative Bill 514 in his office, implementing photographic voter identification in Nebraska, as Senators Ben Hansen and Tom Brewer look on

In October 2023, Governor Pillen faced some criticism. This happened after a reporter wrote about high levels of certain substances found at his farms. The reporter, Yanqi Xu, stated that 16 of Pillen's farms had levels five times higher than what is considered safe for drinking water. Governor Pillen responded by questioning the reporter's background. The Asian American Journalists Association later released a statement. They said that Xu, an investigative reporter from China, should be able to do her job without being judged because of her nationality.

Special Session on Property Taxes

In July 2024, Governor Pillen called a special meeting of the Legislature. He had announced this plan earlier in April. The purpose of this special session was to discuss property taxes. However, some state senators were not happy about the special session. They also expressed frustration with some of the ideas presented, including those requested by the governor.

Personal Life

Jim Pillen is married to Suzanne, and they have four children. They also have seven grandchildren. Pillen is a member of the Catholic faith.

In December 2024, Pillen was in a horseback riding accident in Columbus, Nebraska. He was hospitalized with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Electoral History

Jim Pillen has participated in several elections. Here are the results of the 2022 elections where he ran for governor.

2022 Election Results

In the Republican primary election for governor in 2022, Jim Pillen won the nomination.

  • Jim Pillen: 91,459 votes (33.9%)
  • Charles Herbster: 80,642 votes (29.9%)
  • Brett Lindstrom: 70,487 votes (26.1%)
  • Theresa Thibodeau: 16,413 votes (6.1%)
  • Other candidates received fewer votes.

In the general election for governor in 2022, Jim Pillen won against his opponents.

  • Jim Pillen (Republican): 398,334 votes (59.22%)
  • Carol Blood (Democratic): 242,006 votes (35.98%)
  • Scott Zimmerman (Libertarian): 26,445 votes (3.93%)

See also

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