All four incumbents up for reelection to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents appeared to win another term in Tuesday's election.
Regent Rob Schafer of Beatrice once again outdistanced challenger Gary L. Rogge of Auburn for the District 5 seat encompassing 11 counties in Southeast Nebraska.
Robert Schafer, 2024 District 5 University of Nebraska Regent
In totals reported at 10:05 p.m. Tuesday, Schafer, a 56-year-old attorney and business owner who chairs the board, received 62% of the vote cast in Tuesday's general election to Rogge, a 78-year-old retired farmer who received 38%.
With the win, Schafer will serve a second six-year term on the board responsible for hiring NU's president, setting tuition rates and approving the university's budget.
Two Omaha-area regents also sailed to second terms Tuesday on the NU board.
Regent Elizabeth O'Connor, who represents the eastern third of Douglas County which makes up District 4, defeated challenger Jim Rogers, a former professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
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O'Connor, 34, received 68% of the general election vote, while Rogers earned 32%.
Also in Omaha, Regent Barb Weitz defeated challenger Zachary Mellender for the District 8 seat, which encompasses northwestern Douglas County as well as a swath of central Omaha.
Weitz, a 76-year-old former faculty member at UNO, ran ahead of Mellender, a 29-year-old business systems manager at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, by a margin of 65% to 35%.
The District 3 seat, which represents northeastern Nebraska, was decided in May's primary.
Regent Jim Scheer of Norfolk, who was appointed to the position by Gov. Jim Pillen in 2023, earned a full six-year term in Tuesday's election.
Follow along for live updates on key races, voter turnout, results and more.
Photos: 2024 Election Day in Lincoln
Daily Nebraskan photographers Emma DeShon (left) and Izzy Lewis send photos to their news desk during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the Delray 817.
Lincoln City Council member Justin Carlson (from left), Liz Ring Carlson, Lancaster County Commissioner Christa Yoakum and her husband John Yoakum, a member of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District board, chat during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the Delray 817.
Lincoln City Council member Justin Carlson (from left) and Liz Ring Carlson speak with Lancaster County Board Commissioner Christa Yoakum during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the DelRay 817.
Joanna Davis-Yoakum wears earrings encouraging people to vote during a Democratic watch party on Tuesday at DelRay 817.
Members of the Lancaster Democratic Party congregate during an election night watch party Tuesday at DelRay 817.
Chelsea Richardson (center right) points to a board projecting election results to Kyle Carson (right) both of Lincoln, at a Dan Osborn watch party at Embassy Suites in La Vista on Tuesday.
Incumbent state Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln (center) talks with her mother Debbie Curry of Columbus (right) at a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel.
Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward (left) talks with incumbent Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln at a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel.
District 27 legislative candidate Dawn Liphardt of Lincoln attends a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.
Republicans, including Auditor Mike Foley, attend a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.
Susanne Shore looks on her husband, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
Cardboard cutouts of Tim Walz and Kamala Harris are set up at a Democrat watch party Tuesday at Delray 817.
Benita Casas wears a cat mascot head while enjoying a Democrat election night watch party on Tuesday at Delray 817.
Democratic Party members congregate around a photo area with cardboard cutouts of Tim Walz and Kamala Harris during an election night watch party Tuesday Delray 817.
Michael Marcheck poses for a portrait in front of a photo area during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at Delray 817.
Chris McCoy (left) and Laura Heine chat during a Democrat election night watch party on Tuesday at Delray 817.
Rep. Adrian Smith speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talks to supporters during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday. She won her bid for a third term.
Rep. Don Bacon talks to supporters during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln political science sophomore Leo Sabbini gets ready to make a phone call next to 1st District Rep. Mike Flood at U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (from left) and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood talk with U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer as volunteers make calls at a phone bank drive at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
First District Rep. Mike Flood and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talk with supporters at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (left) talks with Sen. Deb Fischer at Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. The two stopped by to talk with volunteers on Election Day as they made calls to voters.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts talks with supporters at Deb Fischer's campaign office on Election Day in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talks with supporters at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. Volunteers were making phone calls to voters on Election Day.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood carry pizzas for volunteers making phone calls at Deb Fischer's campaign office in Lincoln on Election Day.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (right) talks with supporters, including Darlene Starman of Lincoln, at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (left) and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood talk with volunteers at Deb Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
Voting stickers are available on a table to voters at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln on Tuesday.
Chris McCollister (left) votes along with others Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Lake Schulke casts her vote on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
A cutout of Jesus watches over voters on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Voters cast their ballots Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Katie Goeling (right) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Katie Goeling (left) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Katie Goeling (center) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Election official Bob Snider works during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Toussaint Barrett votes Tuesday at F Street Community Center in central Lincoln.
Abigail Webb votes on Tuesday at F Street Community Center.
People line up to vote Tuesday at F Street Community Center in central Lincoln.
Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
