In a highly anticipated rematch, former State Senator Dan Quick of Grand Island has unseated incumbent State Senator Ray Aguilar in Nebraska’s District 35 by a narrow margin of 135 votes. The final results, announced Tuesday night, placed Quick beyond the threshold for a mandatory recount. A retired welder and former union leader, Quick previously served in the Legislature from 2017 to 2021, before Aguilar won the seat in 2020.
Quick, 66, thanked voters for their participation and praised Aguilar for his years of service. He pledged to represent all constituents, regardless of party affiliation. With this victory, Quick becomes the only Democratic senator representing a district west of Lincoln, following the departure of term-limited State Senator Lynne Walz of Fremont.
Aguilar, 77, who made history as Nebraska’s first Latino senator, has had a distinguished career, including leadership roles as Executive Board Chair and chair of the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. Reflecting on his defeat, Aguilar expressed gratitude to his staff and colleagues for their support throughout his tenure.
Meanwhile, in other significant legislative contests, Ashlei Spivey holds a slim 65-vote lead over Nick Batter in northeast Douglas County’s District 13, while Victor Rountree leads Felix Ungerman in District 3 of Sarpy County by 181 votes. Both races remain undecided, with more ballots expected to be tallied early next week.
Despite its officially nonpartisan designation, the Nebraska Legislature will maintain a filibuster-proof Republican majority of at least 33 seats for the upcoming 2025 session.
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