Nik Sandman

Sandman graduated from Wauneta High School in 1967 and earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Nebraska in 1979.[2][3] He worked as a wheat, milo and melon farmer for 26 years and as a rural mail carrier for 15 years.[3] He says he is a Lutheran who was converted at age 17, studied religious and philosophical thought, and served as a campus minister.[3]

Sandman says he was a lifelong Democrat until switching to the Libertarian Party about two years before running, and he advanced from the May 12, 2026 Libertarian Party primary.[3][2] He says he is 77 and has been married to Colleen for 45 years; they have three children.[3] During the campaign, he said the country needs "redirection" and supported extending Medicare to all Americans and rethinking farm subsidies.[2][3] He received 1.8% of the vote to Mike Flood's 50%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1]