Notable personal detailsJohn Walz is a Nebraska Republican candidate who filed to run for governor in 2026. He previously ran in the 2024 Republican primary for U.S. House in Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District. He has stated he earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and previously served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has described his professional background as engineering and management roles and as owner of Food Cupboard discount grocery stores in Hastings and Grand Island.