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

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.”

“I’ve seen firsthand his commitment and dedication to serve our county and put our residents’ safety first above all else,” Wagner said. “Chief Deputy Houchin will be a sheriff that listens and collaborates to address challenges our county faces.”

Houchin has spent 25 years as a team leader and commander in the Tactical Response Unit, rising to sergeant in 2000, captain in 2005 and as chief deputy in 2020. He participated in the 229th session of the FBI National Academy, where he graduated in 2007. 

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office describes Houchin as “instrumental” in establishing its Electronic Evidence Unit, Fugitive Task Force and Criminal Interdiction Task Force.

Wagner has stepped up marijuana enforcement in Lancaster County, including outside his office in 2020 when he sued to stop a statewide ballot measure related to medical cannabis, arguing that it was too broad to fit under the Nebraska Constitution’s “single-subject clause.” The Supreme Court agreed with Wagner, and it wasn’t until 2024 that supporters successfully got on the ballot. Both proposals passed with overwhelming public support.

This spring, Wagner was one of 50-plus sheriffs to join Attorney General Mike Hilgers in fighting a legislative bill to help clarify how the state should implement medical cannabis. The bill failed to advance.

Lancaster County leaders endorsing Houchin include: State Sens. Beau Ballard and Carolyn Bosn, Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon, former Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent John Bolduc and former Lincoln Police Department Chiefs Jeff Bliemeister and Jim Peschong.

Hilgers, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly (former Lancaster County attorney and U.S. attorney for Nebraska) and Sarpy County Sheriff Greg London also endorsed Houchin.

Houchin said he has been honored to work alongside Wagner to keep his home county safe.

“My top priorities are being responsive to public safety needs, collaborating with the public and other law enforcement agencies and listening to the community we serve,” Houchin said in a statement. “I look forward to working together to solve the toughest issues facing our county.”

Any candidates for sheriff will compete in partisan primaries in May 2026, and the top candidate for each will advance to November 2026. No Democrats or third-party candidates have yet announced.