Republican pork producer and veterinarian Jim Pillen of Columbus, Nebraska, has defeated Democratic state Senator Carol Blood of Lincoln, to become the 41st governor of the "Cornhusker State."

According to the Nebraska Secretary of State, Pillen received 60.47% of the 641,033 total votes in the state's 2022 mid-term elections Tuesday. Pillen and Lt. Governor candidate Joe Kelly received 387,662 votes, while Blood and running mate Al Davis took in 35.58% of the vote with 228,094 votes. The Libertarian ticket with Scott Zimmerman and Jason Blumenthal received just under 4% of the votes, with 25,277 votes.

"Nebraska voters spoke with one voice tonight for less government, less mandates, less taxes, and in favor of commonsense, business leadership," said Pillen. "I want to thank the countless supporters across the state who made this victory possible tonight. Tomorrow, we begin again the work of making Nebraska the greatest place in the world to work and raise a family."

Pillen grew up on a farm in Platte County, Nebraska where he raised pigs with his father, Dale. After graduating from Lakeview High School, he was recruited by Coach Tom Osborne as a safety for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. At UNL, he met his wife of over 40 years, Suzanne, and earned a bachelor of science degree in animal science. After earning a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Nebraska's reciprocal program with Kansas State University, Pillen started a small animal and general consulting veterinary practice.

Pillen and his dad, Dale, partnered to raise pigs on the Pillen family's home farm. Starting with 60 sows and 1,200 market hogs on a dirt lot, they grew the business into what is today Pillen Family Farms, a multi-generational, family-owned and -run company that has created over 1,000 Nebraska jobs. In 2003, he added DNA Genetics and 2012 brought the addition of Pillen's two oldest children, Sarah and Brock, into the business.

The business, still based in Columbus, Nebraska, runs on the same core beliefs Pillen founded it with: do what's right, do the best you can, and treat others the way you want to be treated.

Pillen and his wife, Suzanne, have four children, Sarah, Brock, Polly and Izic; and seven grandchildren, Will, Halle, Eloise, Henry, Harrison, Ava, and Thomas.

He will replace current Governor Pete Ricketts in January, as he was unable to run due to term limits.