John Ewing Bio
John Ewing Jr. (born April 18, 1961) is an American politician, minister, and former police officer who has served as the 52nd mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, since 2025. A Democrat, he defeated incumbent Republican Jean Stothert in the 2025 citywide election and now leads one of the largest cities in the Great Plains region.
Ewing is a historic figure in Nebraska politics. He is the first African American elected mayor of Omaha and the first Democrat to hold the office since 2009. His career has spanned law enforcement, county government, a congressional campaign, and ultimately the mayor’s office, giving him decades of public service experience before taking on the city’s top job.
Early Life and Background
John Ewing Jr. was born on April 18, 1961, in Omaha, Nebraska, and grew up in the same city he would later lead. He attended Omaha Northwest High School, where he played on both the football and basketball teams, building early skills in teamwork and discipline that would shape his public career.
After high school, Ewing enrolled at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and criminal justice. He later returned to the same university to complete a Master of Arts degree in urban studies, giving him a strong academic background in both public safety and city development.
His upbringing in Omaha, combined with his education in business, criminal justice, and urban studies, helped prepare him for a lifetime of public service. These formative years laid the groundwork for a career that would move from the police beat to the treasurer’s office and, eventually, the mayor’s desk.
Path to US Politics
Before entering electoral politics, Ewing built a long career in law enforcement. He served for twenty-five years with the Omaha Police Department, working his way up through the ranks and retiring as Deputy Chief of Police in 2006. His experience managing the department’s finances and operations gave him practical insight into how large public institutions are run.
In 2006, Ewing announced a challenge to Republican Douglas County Treasurer Julie Haney, pointing to his experience handling the police department’s budget. He won the Democratic nomination unopposed and went on to defeat Haney in a landslide, taking 58 percent of the vote to her 42 percent. With that victory, he became the first African American to win a countywide election in Nebraska history.
His success at the county level established him as a rising Democratic figure in the state. It also set the stage for higher offices, including a 2012 run for Congress and, more than a decade later, a campaign for mayor of Omaha.
John Ewing Career
Early Career (2006–2011)
After retiring from the Omaha Police Department in 2006, Ewing moved directly into elected office. His first political win came that same year, when he defeated Republican incumbent Julie Haney for Douglas County Treasurer. The victory made him the first African American to win a countywide election in Nebraska history.
Ewing quickly settled into the treasurer’s role, focusing on responsible management of county funds. By 2010, he had won re-election unopposed, a sign of broad voter confidence in his first term. These early wins helped him build a reputation as a steady fiscal manager.
Congressional Campaign Breakthrough (2012)
In 2011, Ewing announced that he would challenge Republican Congressman Lee Terry for Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district seat in 2012. He won the Democratic primary against State Senator Gwen Howard by a wide margin and advanced to the general election.
The general election was hard fought. Terry significantly outraised and outspent Ewing, and national Democratic groups offered little direct support. However, President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign invested in winning the electoral college vote in the 2nd district, which provided meaningful help to Ewing’s effort. Despite this boost, Terry narrowly held the seat, winning 51 percent of the vote to Ewing’s 49 percent.
Although he came up just short, the 2012 race introduced Ewing to a statewide audience and demonstrated his ability to compete in a closely divided district. The experience would prove valuable in his later campaigns.
Douglas County Treasurer Era (2007–2025)
Following his initial win in 2006, Ewing served as Douglas County Treasurer for nearly two decades. He was re-elected unopposed in 2010, then returned to competitive races in 2014, when he defeated Republican Wayne Hohndorf with about 60 percent of the vote.
He continued his long run in the treasurer’s office with two more re-elections, winning unopposed in 2018 and again in 2022. Over 18 years in the role, Ewing became one of the most familiar Democratic officeholders in the Omaha area, building a strong record on fiscal management and constituent service.
Mayor of Omaha Era (2025–Present)
In 2025, Ewing launched a campaign for mayor of Omaha, challenging two-term Republican incumbent Jean Stothert. In the nonpartisan primary, he placed second with about 33 percent of the vote, trailing Stothert’s 36 percent and ahead of former State Senator Mike McDonnell, who took roughly 20 percent.
The general election became contentious. Stothert’s campaign aired a television advertisement that criticized Ewing over social issues, while a supporting political action committee sent mailers making claims about gender-related policies for minors. Ewing’s campaign condemned the ads, and the Nebraska Democratic Party pushed back with a message focused on city services, contrasting “potties” with “potholes.” Ultimately, Ewing defeated Stothert by a wide margin, taking 57 percent of the vote to her 43 percent.
With that win, Ewing became the 52nd mayor of Omaha, the first African American elected to the office, and the first Democrat to hold the mayoralty since 2009. His victory marked a major shift in the political direction of Nebraska’s largest city.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ewing’s career is marked by several historic firsts. In 2006, he became the first African American to win a countywide election in Nebraska. In 2025, he added another milestone by becoming the first African American elected mayor of Omaha and the first Democrat to hold the post since 2009. His narrow loss in the 2012 congressional race, by just two percentage points, also stands out as a defining moment that kept him in the public eye.
John Ewing Career Wins
Across his career in elected office, John Ewing Jr. has built a strong record of victories at the county and city level. Beginning with his 2006 win for Douglas County Treasurer, he went on to win multiple re-election bids, and in 2025 he added the mayor’s office to his list of electoral successes.
County Treasurer Highlights
Ewing first won the Douglas County Treasurer race in 2006, defeating Republican Julie Haney with 58 percent of the vote. He was re-elected unopposed in 2010, won a third term in 2014 with about 60 percent of the vote against Republican Wayne Hohndorf, and was re-elected unopposed again in 2018 and 2022. His long tenure made him one of the most experienced fiscal officers in the region.
Mayoral and Other Achievements
In 2025, Ewing won the mayoral election over incumbent Jean Stothert, taking 57 percent of the vote. His earlier 2012 primary win against State Senator Gwen Howard was another important victory, even though he narrowly lost the general election to Congressman Lee Terry. Together, these wins highlight his long track record with Omaha-area voters.
John Ewing Family
Family Background and Personal Life
John Ewing Jr. is married to his wife, Viv Ewing. The couple has two daughters. Ewing’s family life has remained largely private, and he is known for keeping his personal and family matters out of the public spotlight.
Beyond his immediate household, Ewing is also a minister, reflecting the importance of faith in his life and community work. His roles as husband, father, minister, and public servant have shaped the image he has built with voters across Omaha and Douglas County.