The 2022 Bellevue, Nebraska mayoral election took place on November 8, 2022. Incumbent Mayor Rusty Hike won re-election to a second term over City Councilman Thomas Burns with 55% of the vote.

Primary election

Candidates

  • Rusty Hike, incumbent Mayor
  • Thomas Burns, City Councilman
  • Otmar "Buz" Stephens, Marine Corps veteran

Campaign

Incumbent Mayor Rusty Hike, a Republican, ran for re-election, citing his leadership during the 2019 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic development taking place in the area. Hike pointed to the "growth going on down south around the Highway 34/75 corridor" and "development going in Old Towne Bellevue."FN1 His main opponent, City Councilman Thomas Burns, a Democrat, argued that Hike's development plans were not "transparent" and that city leadership "need[s] to take a holistic approach and focus on all parts of our city."[1] He argued that the city needed to be more walkable and needed to update its infrastructure, including the library building.[2] Marine Corps veteran Buz Stephens argued that the city's population growth was mostly attributed to annexation and that the "core" of the city was "very weak."[1]

At the primary election, Hike placed first by a wide margin, winning 63% of the vote to Burns's 31% and Stephen's 5%. Hike and Burns advanced to the general election.

Results

2022 Bellevue mayoral primary election results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Rusty Hike (inc.) 5,480 63.47%
Nonpartisan Thomas Burns 2,688 31.13%
Nonpartisan O.E. Buz Stephens 431 4.99%
Nonpartisan Write-in candidates 35 0.41%
Total votes 8,634 100.00%

General election

In the general election, Hike and Burns faced off again, but the result was closer, with Hike ultimately winning re-election with 55% of the vote.[4]

Results

2022 Bellevue mayoral general election results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Rusty Hike (inc.) 9,921 55.16%
Nonpartisan Thomas Burns 8,076 44.69%
Nonpartisan Write-in candidates 94 0.52%
Total votes 18,091 100.00%

References

  1. ^ a b Williamson, Zach (May 9, 2022). "Three candidates vying to lead the City of Bellevue". KMTV-TV News. Omaha, Nebraska. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  2. ^ "Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike hopes to keep his seat, opponents looking to bring change". KETV News. Omaha, Nebraska. May 6, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  3. ^ "Primary Election, May 10, 2022: Bellevue Mayor". Sarpy County Election Commissioner. May 27, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  4. ^ Branting, Adam (November 15, 2022). "Hike overcomes challenge to remain Bellevue mayor". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  5. ^ "General Election November 8, 2022: Bellevue Mayor". Sarpy County Election Commissioner. November 21, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
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