Reed Takes Narrow Lead in Grand Island Mayor Race
Jimmy Reed moved ahead of Ryan O'Neill by 14 votes in the third unofficial results release on election night.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Jimmy Reed took the lead over Ryan O'Neill in the Grand Island mayoral race after the third unofficial results release came just after 11:15 p.m. on election night. Reed had 4,927 votes to O'Neill's 4,913, following a first release in which O'Neill led 2,243 to 1,546.
Why it matters
The race will determine who succeeds outgoing mayor Roger Steele in leading Grand Island. The margin is 14 votes, so the outcome remains close.
Unofficial returns from election night show Reed at 4,927 votes and O'Neill at 4,913 after three releases, a 14-vote gap. Official certification of the results has not been reported.
The players
Jimmy Reed
Jimmy Reed is a candidate in the Grand Island mayoral race who took the lead in the third unofficial results release.
Ryan O'Neill
Ryan O'Neill is a candidate in the Grand Island mayoral race who led in the first two unofficial results releases.
Roger Steele
Roger Steele is the outgoing mayor of Grand Island whose successor is being chosen in this election.
Adrian Smith
Adrian Smith is a U.S. Congressman who attended Jimmy Reed's election night watch party.
Loren Lippincott
Loren Lippincott is a Nebraska state senator who attended Jimmy Reed's election night watch party.
The details
Polls closed at 8 p.m. on election night, and results were released in rounds just after 8 p.m., 9:45 p.m., and 11:15 p.m. O'Neill held watch party at The Archives in Railside, while Reed held his at The Barn at Hornady's at Riverside Lodge with Congressman Adrian Smith and Sen. Loren Lippincott.
Timeline
November 4, 2026, 8:00 p.m.: Polls closed and first results were released, showing O'Neill ahead 2,243 to 1,546.
November 4, 2026, 9:45 p.m.: Second results release, with O'Neill still leading.
November 4, 2026, 11:15 p.m.: Third results release, with Reed taking the lead by 14 votes.
Political Context
The contest is a close race in which two candidates are separated by a 14-vote margin after the third unofficial release. Its outcome determines whether the city's leadership continues under the direction of outgoing mayor Roger Steele's successor.
Grand Island residents will have a new mayor chosen from this race, which affects city leadership decisions. The final result depends on whether the 14-vote lead holds through official counting.
The takeaway
Close races can shift in late counts, so official results should be checked before drawing conclusions about the outcome. Residents can follow the certified tally once it is published.
Further reading
Explore more Grand Island Elections coverage for context on local voting and candidates.
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