• John Ewing Jr. defeats incumbent Republican Mayor Jean Stothert in Omaha.
• Ewing becomes the city's first Black mayor, ending a long Republican leadership.
• The election is seen as a positive sign for Democrats ahead of future races.
• Stothert conceded, highlighting her 12 years of service to the city.
• Democratic leaders celebrate Ewing's win as historic progress for the party.

In a notable upset in Omaha's mayoral race, Democrat John Ewing Jr. has ousted incumbent Republican Mayor Jean Stothert, as projected by Decision Desk HQ. Ewing's victory marks him as the first Black mayor of the city, defeating Stothert, who was campaigning for a fourth term. This election was particularly significant as it ended a decade-long period of Republican leadership in Omaha, a city that plays a crucial role in presidential elections, according to The Hill and New York Times.

With approximately 87,000 ballots counted, Ewing led Stothert by about 10,900 votes. Despite an officially nonpartisan race, the political identities of both candidates were evident to the electorate, leading to Stothert’s concession where she expressed pride in her tenure and a hope for future momentum for the city. “We leave a strong foundation for the city that we all love,” Stothert stated as she stepped down, highlighting her twelve years of service, according to New York Times and Newsweek.

Democrats are celebrating Ewing's election as an indication of the party’s strengthening position ahead of the 2026 midterms, viewing this victory within the broader context of recent electoral successes. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin asserted that Democrats are outperforming Republicans nationally, reflecting a shift in voter sentiment. “After tonight, vulnerable House Republicans like Don Bacon are on notice,” he remarked, underscoring the potential implications of Ewing’s win for future elections, according to The Hill, New York Times, and Newsweek.

This election marks the first time since 2013 that Omaha will have a Democratic mayor, breaking a longstanding Republican hold. Ewing, who has over four decades of public service experience, is portrayed by Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb as a beacon of hope for the future of Omaha. "We made historic progress tonight," she said, emphasizing the significance of this electoral outcome, as noted by The Hill, New York Times, and Newsweek.