In a political shocker that’s rattling Republican operatives nationwide, Democrat John Ewing has defeated three-term GOP Mayor Jean Stothert, flipping Omaha’s mayoral seat blue for the first time in over a decade.
Ewing’s 55.5% to 44.5% victory not only ends Stothert’s 12-year tenure but also marks a historic milestone: he becomes the first Black mayor in the city’s history.
Omaha’s Political Earthquake
The numbers are clear:
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John Ewing (D): 45,336 votes
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Jean Stothert (R): 36,307 votes
Ewing’s triumph is part of a larger trend of Republican defeats in the 2025 election cycle, especially in areas once considered strongholds.
Even Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen admitted that Republican voter apathy played a role. “West Omaha just didn’t turn out,” he said, lamenting what should have been a “slam-dunk” re-election.
Stothert graciously conceded and struck a diplomatic tone:
“John Ewing is inheriting a great city. We leave behind a strong foundation.”
The GOP Collapse: A Broader Pattern Emerges
Ewing’s win is the latest domino to fall in a growing list of 2025 Republican losses across the country, often in deeply red terrain. Whether due to turnout, shifting demographics, or disillusionment, the trend is clear—and the warning signs are flashing.
Key 2025 GOP Defeats So Far:
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Beaumont, TX: GOP Councilman Mike Getz loses to Joey Hilliard
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Aurora & Orland Park, IL: Mayors Richard Irvin and Keith Pekau ousted
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Norman, OK: Republican Mayor Larry Heikkila falls to Democrat Stephen Tyler Holman
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Rock Island, IL: Mike Thoms replaced by Democrat Ashley Harris
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Iowa SD-35: Katie Whittington (R) loses to Mike Zimmer (D)
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PA SD-36: James Andrew Malone (D) flips a red seat
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MN HD-40B: Democrat David Gottfried crushes GOP with over 70% of the vote
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NC Supreme Court: Jefferson Griffin (R) edged out by Democrat Allison Riggs
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WI Supreme Court: Brad Schimel loses by 10 points
Too Small to Win, Too Close to Rig
These races are more than isolated incidents. They signal a strategic collapse—and perhaps a cultural reckoning—for the GOP.
From judicial races to city councils, Democrats are overperforming, while Republican candidates struggle to mobilize their base. The common denominator? Voter turnout.
The Road Ahead: Make It Too Big to Rig
Whether these losses were the result of apathy, mismanagement, or something more nefarious, one lesson is clear: conservatives must turn out in overwhelming numbers.
If Republicans want to avoid more devastating losses in 2026, they must start organizing now. Every local race counts. Every voter matters. The red firewall is cracking—and it won’t survive unless the base shows up and fights to make it too big to rig.