Nebraska election law does not permit candidates to run in a primary if they had “changed party affiliation” during the year before the general election. On March 19, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued this 15-page opinion in Davis v Gale, S-18-218. It says that this prohibition does not include individuals who cease being a member of a political party and who become independents, during that year.

The result is that Bob Krist is permitted to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor, even though he didn’t become an independent until February 2018.