Nebraska, Arkansas Lawmakers Announce Reelection Withdrawals

Nebraska State Sen. Jane Raybould has announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, choosing to prioritize her family after a cancer diagnosis and a 16-year public service career that included positions as Lancaster County Commissioner and Lincoln City Council chair. Raybould, elected to the legislature in 2022, emphasized her decision was unrelated to recent political controversies. Following her announcement, former Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks declared her intent to run again for the District 28 seat she previously held from 2015 to 2023. Separately, Arkansas Rep. Fran Cavenaugh also announced she will not seek reelection for District 30, expressing appreciation for her service and intent to complete her term. The departures of Raybould and Cavenaugh open the way for new leadership in Nebraska and Arkansas. Both lawmakers cited personal reasons for stepping down.