May 16, 2025
History was made after Ewing, the Douglas County Treasurer, beat Stothert, who served for 12 years, in a rare fourth term race in Nebraska’s largest city.
Omaha, Nebraska’s first female mayor, Jean Stothert, conceded in a major upset to the city’s first Black mayor, John Ewing Jr, CNN reports.
History was made on May 13 after Ewing, the Douglas County Treasurer, beat Stothert, who served for 12 years, in a rare fourth-term race in the state’s largest city, which has nearly 25% of Nebraska’s population. In her concession speech, Stothert said Ewing is receiving a city with a strong foundation.
The overall population of Black folks in the state is 23%.
“I called John Ewing, and I congratulated him,” Stothert said. “John Ewing is inheriting tonight a great city, and we leave a strong foundation for the city that we love. We are grateful and we are hopeful.”
The heated race between Stothert and Ewing revolved around local issues such as street repairs, garbage service, hiring more police officers, and affordable housing, something Ewing claimed the incumbent did not focus enough on. However, voters took on more hot-button issues on the national scale, like the President Donald Trump administration and transgender rights, that sent the former police officer over the winning edge. “People just feel like she’s had her time, and it’s time for somebody new,” Ewing said.
While the city’s mayor’s office is labeled nonpartisan, the candidates clarified their party stances. Stothert ran a TV ad saying, “Ewing stands with radicals who want to allow boys in girls’ sports.” In response, Ewing said being treasurer has not given him much time to deal with topics like transgender issues. Swinging back, the retired Omaha Police Department officer labeled Stothert as being connected to the Trump administration with a split screen saying, “Let’s say no to the chaos and elect a mayor who will actually get things done.”
According to KETV 7, state GOP Gov. Jim Pillen said he was “disappointed in Ewing’s win and pointed the finger at conservatives for not showing up to support Stothert. “I have great confidence, even though tonight ended the mayor’s run four years early, I have great confidence because of extraordinary leadership,” Pillen said.
“We all know culture wins and that culture will withstand decisions that none of us are going to agree on for the city of Omaha for the next four years.”
But not everyone showed the same disdain. Republican Congressman Don Bacon, representing Nebraska’s second congressional district, congratulated the new mayor and wished Stothert well.
“We will work together to serve the great citizens of Omaha,” Bacon said.
President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, Heath Mello, also congratulated Stothert on the legacy she built for the city. He acknowledged wanting to work with the newly elected mayor during his tenure. “Congratulations to Mayor-Elect John Ewing on his election victory,” he wrote in a statement.
“We look forward to meeting with him soon and collaborating on plans for Omaha’s bright future.”
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