In 1878, while Speaker of the Nebraska House of Representatives, Nance was elected Governor of Nebraska. He was only thirty years old at the time of his election, and was known as "the boy governor". Nance and his administration were very popular with the people. His administration was described in "The Public Men of Today" in 1882, "The distinguishing feature of his administration has been an unassuming but inflexible determination to execute the laws with fidelity to the best interests of the people of Nebraska." Nance was renominated for the governorship, in 1880. He won the election, with an overwhelming majority.