2003 Lincoln, Nebraska mayoral election

2003 Lincoln mayoral election
	May 6, 2003
Mayor before election; Don Wesely; Nonpartisan	Elected Mayor ; Coleen Seng; Nonpartisan

The 2003 Lincoln, Nebraska mayoral election took place on May 6, 2003, following a primary election on April 8, 2003. Incumbent Mayor Don Wesely, who was first elected in 1999, announced on January 17, 2003, that he would not seek re-election.^[1]

Though the race was officially nonpartisan, following Wesely's departure, Democrats consolidated around City Councilwoman Coleen Seng,^[2] who announced that she would run to succeed Wesely.^[3] Her opponent was Republican City Councilman Glenn Friendt, who had announced that he would run for mayor prior to Wesely's withdrawal.^[4]

In the primary election, Friendt placed first by a narrow margin, winning 52 percent of the vote to Seng's 48 percent.^[5] Both proceeded to the general election, where, in a "mild surprise," Seng defeated Friendt by a narrow margin.^[6] Seng received 51 percent of the vote to Friendt's 49 percent, despite being outspent by Friendt.^[7]

Primary election

Candidates

Glenn Friendt, City Councilman^[4]
Coleen Seng, City Councilwoman^[3]

Declined

Jon Camp, City Councilman^[8]
Thor Schrock, businessman^[9]
Don Wesely, incumbent Mayor^[1]

Results

Primary election results^[10]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Glenn Friendt	13,828	52.13%
	Nonpartisan	Coleen Seng	12,699	47.87%
Total votes			26,527	100.00%

General election

Results

2003 Lincoln mayoral election results^[11]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Coleen Seng	24,104	50.95%
	Nonpartisan	Glenn Friendt	23,202	49.05%
Total votes			47,306	100.00%

References

^ ^a ^b Jenkins, Nate (January 18, 2003). "Wesely won't run again". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1A. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ Jenkins, Nate (January 18, 2003). "Seng is Democrats' top choice to replace mayor". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 2A. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ ^a ^b Jenkins, Nate (January 20, 2003). "Seng enters city mayoral race". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ ^a ^b Jenkins, Nate (December 18, 2002). "City councilman seeks mayor's post". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ Hammel, Paul (April 9, 2003). "Republican wins Lincoln primary". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. p. 5B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ Hammel, Paul (May 7, 2003). "Democrats keep a grip on power in Lincoln". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ Jenkins, Nate (May 7, 2003). "Seng takes mayor's seat". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1A. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ Jenkins, Nate (December 13, 2002). "Camp will not run for mayor's office". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ Jenkins, Nate (December 12, 2002). "Schrock opts not to run for mayor's office". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 3B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ "Lincoln City Primary Election Results - April 8, 2003". Lancaster County Election Commissioner. 2003. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
^ "Lincoln City General Election Results - May 6, 2003". Lancaster County Election Commissioner. 2003. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[Wesely_won't_run-1] Jenkins, Nate (January 18, 2003). "Wesely won't run again". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1A. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[2] Jenkins, Nate (January 18, 2003). "Seng is Democrats' top choice to replace mayor". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 2A. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[Seng_enters-3] Jenkins, Nate (January 20, 2003). "Seng enters city mayoral race". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[Friendt_seeks-4] Jenkins, Nate (December 18, 2002). "City councilman seeks mayor's post". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[5] Hammel, Paul (April 9, 2003). "Republican wins Lincoln primary". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. p. 5B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[6] Hammel, Paul (May 7, 2003). "Democrats keep a grip on power in Lincoln". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[7] Jenkins, Nate (May 7, 2003). "Seng takes mayor's seat". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1A. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[8] Jenkins, Nate (December 13, 2002). "Camp will not run for mayor's office". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 1B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[9] Jenkins, Nate (December 12, 2002). "Schrock opts not to run for mayor's office". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 3B. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[10] "Lincoln City Primary Election Results - April 8, 2003". Lancaster County Election Commissioner. 2003. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

[11] "Lincoln City General Election Results - May 6, 2003". Lancaster County Election Commissioner. 2003. Retrieved July 22, 2025.

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