Mike Hilgers

Mike Hilgers
Mike Hilgers
Born	Michael Hilgers Sr. 25 10, 1978
Birthplace	Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer, businessman
Education	Baylor University (BA) University of Chicago Law School (JD)
Spouse(s)	Heather Hilgers
Children	4

Michael Hilgers Sr. (born October 25, 1978) is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician serving as the 33rd Attorney General of Nebraska since January 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Hilgers previously represented the 21st district in the Nebraska Legislature from 2017 to 2023 and served as Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature from 2021 to 2023. Before entering politics, Hilgers co-founded the Lincoln-based law firm Hilgers Graben, which earned recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in the region. As Attorney General, Hilgers has pursued a range of legal actions on behalf of the state, including litigation related to foreign contributions to ballot measures and cooperation with federal requests for voter data. In December 2025, he formally announced his campaign for reelection to the attorney general's office in 2026.

Early Life

Mike Hilgers was born on October 25, 1978, in Omaha, Nebraska. He grew up in Nebraska and spent his formative years in the state before pursuing higher education. Details regarding his parents, siblings, and childhood upbringing remain limited in publicly available sources, though his later political career emphasized his Nebraska roots and connections to the community.

Hilgers' early life in Omaha informed his later career in law and public service. He has described his background as grounded in the values of hard work and community engagement that are characteristic of the state's residents. His trajectory from Omaha to the halls of the Nebraska Legislature and ultimately to the office of Attorney General traced an arc through academic achievement, private-sector success, and elected office.

Education

Hilgers attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Chicago Law School, one of the nation's leading law schools, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His legal education at the University of Chicago provided the foundation for his later career as both a practicing attorney and a legislator involved in crafting and interpreting state law.

Career

Law and Business

After completing his legal education, Hilgers pursued a career in private legal practice. He co-founded the law firm Hilgers Graben, based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The firm operated in the Lincoln area and was part of the city's growing business community. In recognition of its rapid expansion, Hilgers Graben was named to the Inc. 5000 list, a ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, as one of six Lincoln firms to achieve that distinction.

Hilgers' experience in business and law informed his later legislative priorities, particularly in areas related to economic development, infrastructure, and regulatory policy. His dual background as an entrepreneur and an attorney distinguished him among his colleagues in the nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature.

Nebraska Legislature (2017–2023)

Election to the Legislature

In 2016, Hilgers ran for the Nebraska Legislature in the 21st district, which encompasses parts of the Lincoln metropolitan area. He competed against opponent Scherer in a contested race for the seat being vacated by outgoing Senator Ken Haar. Hilgers won the election and took office on January 4, 2017, succeeding Haar as the representative of the 21st district.

Legislative Work and Key Initiatives

During his time in the Legislature, Hilgers was involved in several significant legislative efforts. He played a role in the passage of legislation to accelerate the construction of the South Beltway in Lincoln, a major infrastructure project that had been discussed for decades. The Legislature approved the accelerated construction timeline for the 11-mile highway project, which was designed to reroute truck traffic around the southern edge of Lincoln and alleviate congestion on existing roadways.

Hilgers also worked on legislation aimed at expanding broadband internet access in Nebraska, particularly in rural areas. Governor Pete Ricketts signed broadband expansion legislation that Hilgers supported, addressing what had been identified as a critical infrastructure gap in the state's more remote communities.

Additionally, Hilgers was noted for his involvement in transportation and roads policy more broadly. Early in his legislative tenure, commentary in the state press highlighted his engagement with the Nebraska Department of Roads and related policy matters.

Chair of the Executive Board

In January 2019, Hilgers was elected Chair of the Executive Board of the Nebraska Legislature, succeeding Dan Watermeier. The Executive Board serves as the coordinating body for the Legislature's operations and plays a key role in managing committee assignments, scheduling, and other administrative functions. Hilgers held this position until January 2021, when he was succeeded by Dan Hughes.

Speaker of the Legislature

On January 6, 2021, Hilgers was elected Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, succeeding Jim Scheer. As Speaker, Hilgers presided over the unicameral body during a period that included debates on a range of policy matters. Nebraska's Legislature is unique among U.S. state legislatures in that it is unicameral and officially nonpartisan, though members' party affiliations are publicly known. The Speaker serves as the presiding officer and wields considerable influence over legislative proceedings, debate management, and the overall direction of the body's agenda.

Hilgers served as Speaker until January 4, 2023, when he was succeeded by John Arch. His tenure as Speaker coincided with his final two years in the Legislature, as Nebraska's term limits prevented him from seeking reelection to his legislative seat after completing two four-year terms.

Nebraska Attorney General (2023–present)

Election

With his legislative term ending due to term limits, Hilgers ran for the office of Nebraska Attorney General in the 2022 election cycle. He won the Republican primary and subsequently prevailed in the general election, succeeding Doug Peterson as the 33rd Attorney General of Nebraska. He took office on January 5, 2023, with Jim Pillen serving as Governor.

Tenure as Attorney General

As Attorney General, Hilgers has overseen the Nebraska Department of Justice and served as the state's chief legal officer. His tenure has been marked by several notable actions and legal matters.

In November 2025, Hilgers filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state of Nebraska against six national nonprofit organizations, alleging that they had financed ballot initiatives in the state using "foreign money." Nebraska had enacted a law in 2022 banning foreign nationals from funding ballot measures either directly or indirectly, and the Attorney General's office contended that the defendant organizations had violated this prohibition. The lawsuit drew attention as a test of the state's 2022 foreign funding ban and raised broader questions about the financing of ballot initiative campaigns.

In September 2025, Hilgers commented publicly on the U.S. Department of Justice's request for Nebraska voter data, stating that the request was "well within bounds." The matter arose in the context of federal efforts related to election integrity, and Hilgers signaled the state's willingness to cooperate with the federal government's inquiry.

The Attorney General's office has also been involved in prosecutions related to the 2024 Nebraska medical cannabis petition process. In February 2026, a criminal trial commenced against a notary, Jacy Todd of York, who was charged in connection with notarization irregularities during the petition process. While the prosecution was conducted through Hilgers' office, the defense argued that Todd had not "knowingly" violated the law but had made errors in some notarizations.

Nebraska's medical cannabis landscape has also intersected with federal policy during Hilgers' tenure. In February 2026, the national advocacy organization NORML reported that Nebraska was omitted from a list of medical marijuana states that received federal protections under an annual congressional appropriations rider. Versions of this rider had been approved by Congress annually since 2014, but Nebraska was not included among the states receiving the protections, a fact that reflected the state's ongoing legal and political complexities around cannabis policy.

2026 Reelection Campaign

On December 15, 2025, Hilgers formally launched his campaign for reelection as Attorney General in the 2026 election cycle, stating that he intended to continue his work on behalf of Nebraskans. He filed official paperwork for his candidacy in February 2026.

Personal Life

Mike Hilgers resides in Lincoln, Nebraska, with his wife, Heather, and their four children. The family has been based in the Lincoln area throughout Hilgers' political career. His personal life has remained largely out of the public spotlight, with Hilgers focusing public remarks on policy and legal matters rather than personal details. His connection to the Lincoln community was deepened through both his law firm and his representation of the 21st legislative district, which covers areas in and around the city.

Recognition

Hilgers' law firm, Hilgers Graben, received recognition by being named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States, reflecting the firm's growth trajectory in the Lincoln business community.

In his political career, Hilgers rose to the speakership of the Nebraska Legislature, a position of significant influence in the state's unique unicameral system. His election as Speaker in January 2021 was covered by state media as a notable development in the Legislature's leadership. His subsequent election as Attorney General in 2022 further elevated his profile within Nebraska politics.