Makayla Danner Defeats Incumbent Don Kleine in Douglas County Attorney Race

Makayla Danner defeated Don Kleine on Tuesday to claim the Douglas County attorney position. The result ended Kleine's twenty-year tenure in the office.

Danner, who grew up in North Omaha, framed her win as a chance to return to her community. She graduated from Burke High School on a full scholarship to Creighton University and described herself as a first-generation college graduate. "I came back here because I want to give back to this community," Danner said.

The campaign focused on direct engagement with voters. Danner spent the election cycle knocking on doors across Douglas County. She stated that these conversations fueled her optimism heading into Election Day. "I thought the numbers were looking good on the doors I did knock, so I was always optimistic," Danner said.

Danner cited her family as a source of her perspective on diverse viewpoints. She has five children and noted that no two share the same outlook. "If there's nothing about them that's the same, then I know what's happening in this world I can understand it," she said. She said her goal is to serve all residents in the county.

The victory also broke a local streak tied to the campaign's physical location. Danner's headquarters had previously been used by two other candidates who lost their respective races. She said she did not let the building's history deter her and was proud to end the run of unsuccessful campaigns at that address.

The outcome was part of a wider shift in local Democratic politics on Tuesday. Mark Martinez also won an upset victory, defeating incumbent Aaron Hanson for the Douglas County sheriff position. Both results marked the end of long-standing incumbencies in the county.