Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner won't seek reelection in 2026, endorses chief deputy

[RandySF]

LINCOLN — The long-time sheriff of Nebraska’s second-most populous county announced Wednesday he will not seek a ninth term, endorsing his chief deputy to take his spot in the 2026 elections.

Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner, a Republican serving in one of the state’s “bluest” counties, announced he would step down after 32 years in the position in 2027. He was first elected in 1994 and ran unopposed for reelection until 2022, winning with 53% of the vote. He is the longest-serving sheriff in Lancaster County history. Wagner started as a dispatcher for the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in 1976 at 22.

Wagner has endorsed Lancaster County Chief Deputy Ben Houchin, who has worked alongside Wagner since Houchin joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1993, shortly after graduating from college.

In a statement, Wagner said Houchin “has my full support.”



https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/lancaster-county-sheriff-terry-wagner-wont-seek-reelection-in-2026-endorses-chief-deputy/