State Treasurer of Nebraska · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Nebraska state treasurer race?
Joey Spellerberg has the strongest record in the Nebraska state treasurer race. Joey Spellerberg scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. Joey Spellerberg's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Dan Ebers (3 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Dan Ebers
On the ballot as Daniel Ebers
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Joey Spellerberg
60 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- 50
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Dan Ebers
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Joey Spellerberg
- On the record2026-08
Held a statewide community tour on the budget, homebuying savings, unclaimed property and fraud prevention.
Source: Nebraska.tv, Aug. 12, 2026
- On the record2025-11
Gov. Jim Pillen appointed him state treasurer after Tom Briese resigned; he was sworn in Nov. 6, 2025, resigning as Fremont mayor.
Sources: KCAU via Yahoo News, Nov. 7, 2025, Nebraska.tv, Nov. 7, 2025
- Credit2026-10
Resumed the state's unclaimed property auction, required by law every five years, which had not been held since 2017.
- Credit2020 to 2025
Elected mayor of Fremont in 2020 and reelected in 2024.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Dan Ebers. No Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission enforcement action names him.
Source: Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, enforcement actions
Joey Spellerberg. No Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission enforcement action names him.
Source: Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, enforcement actions
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. Held a statewide community tour in 2026 to take residents' questions about his office. No 2026 debate found.
Source: Nebraska.tv, Aug. 12, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. Fremont mayor from 2020 to 2025 and state treasurer since November 2025 with no formal conduct finding found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. Took the oaths of Fremont mayor and, on Nov. 6, 2025, state treasurer. No official finding of misuse of office found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Dan Ebers. Works in hotel management. Was the 2024 Democratic nominee for the 3rd Congressional District. Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Daniel Ebers
Joey Spellerberg. Appointed state treasurer in November 2025 after five years as mayor of Fremont (elected 2020, reelected 2024); small business owner.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. Sitting state treasurer who describes the office's limited budget role accurately and promotes its unclaimed property, 529 and homebuyer programs.
Source: Nebraska.tv, Aug. 12, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. Held a statewide community tour and gives interviews about his office. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Nebraska.tv, Aug. 12, 2026, Ballotpedia, Joey Spellerberg
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Dan Ebers. Lists Lincoln on the official candidate list.
Joey Spellerberg. A Fremont native who served as its mayor; lists Fremont on the official candidate list.
Sources: Nebraska.tv, Nov. 7, 2025, Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. Led the city of Fremont as mayor for five years before heading the state treasurer's office, which receipts and disburses all state funds.
Sources: KCAU via Yahoo News, Nov. 7, 2025, Nebraska.tv, Nov. 7, 2025
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. Resumed the unclaimed property auction that state law requires every five years and that had not been held since 2017.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Dan Ebers. No public record found.
Joey Spellerberg. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Nebraska state treasurer race?
Joey Spellerberg has the strongest record in the Nebraska state treasurer race. Joey Spellerberg scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. Joey Spellerberg's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Dan Ebers (3 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Nebraska state treasurer race in 2026?
Dan Ebers (Democratic), Joey Spellerberg (Republican, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Dan Ebers a good candidate for State Treasurer?
Dan Ebers has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Joey Spellerberg a good candidate for State Treasurer?
Joey Spellerberg scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Nebraska race scored, and the Nebraska 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.