Kimball voters mirror those from state, region

Kimball County voters mirrored those of voters across the state and region in many non-local races.

For governor and lieutenant governor, Kimball County voted heavily in favor of Republicans Pete Ricketts and Mike Foley. The two won 909 votes in the county, coming in at 75.12 percent. Democrats Chuck Hassebrook and Jane Reybould came in with 238 votes and 19.67 percent, while Libertarians Mark G. Ellworth Jr. and Scott Zimmerman had 63 votes and 5.21 percent. Ricketts and Foley easily won the statewide race.

The county voted for incumbent Republican Adrian Smith by another wide margin in the Third District Congressional race. Smith garnered 1,010 votes (83.89 percent) in the county. Democrat Mark Sullivan had 194 votes (16.11 percent). As of 11 p.m. Tuesday night, Smith had 75 percent of the votes with more than 77 percent of precincts in the district reporting to easily win re-election.

Kimball County voters heavily tilted in favor of Republican Ben Sasse for U.S. Senate. He received 965 votes (80.69 percent) county-wide. Democrat Dave Domina received 168 votes (14.05 percent), independent Jim Jenkins received 35 votes (2.93 percent) and independent Todd F. Watson received 28 votes (2.34 percent).

As of 11 p.m., 67 percent of precincts statewide had reported and Sasse held the lead with more than 64 percent to win the race handily.

Voters in the county also heavily supported Republicans John A. Gale for Secretary of State, Don Stenberg for State Treasurer, Doug Peterson for Attorney General and Charlie Janssen for Auditor of Public Accounts. Each handily won their respective races.

Kimball County voters supported Molly O’Holleran for the State Board of Education District 7 position. She received 548 votes (57.74) in the county, while Robin R. Stevens received 399 votes (42.04 percent). As of 11 p.m, O’Holleran had 62.27 percent of the vote to win the race. At that time, more than 81 percent of the precincts in the district had reported.

Kimball County voters also backed the return of all seven judges on the ballot. Each judge received a retention vote of over 70 percent in the county. Voters throughout each respective district or the state, depending on the type of judge, also returned each judge to office.

Voters in the county also supported Initiative Measure 425, which would raise the state’s minimum wage. Voters in Kimball County approved the measure with 626 votes in favor (53.19 percent) and 551 votes (46.81) against. The measure passed statewide. As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, with more than 71 percent of precincts reporting, the measure had over 59 percent in favor.