NEFB-PAC-Endorsed Candidates See Strong Election Night Results

Election night brought good news for most of Nebraska Farm Bureau's Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC) endorsed candidates, with wins up and down the ballot. There were a few tough losses, and one legislative race remains too close to call, but agriculture will have a strong group of leaders to work with heading into the next legislative session.

At the federal level, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood (1^st District), and U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (3^rd District), all endorsed by NEFB-PAC, won reelection. Denise Powell of Omaha defeated Brinker Harding, NEFB-PAC's endorsed candidate in Nebraska's 2^nd Congressional District.

NEFB-PAC's endorsed slate for the state Executive Branch all brought home victories. Gov. Jim Pillen, Joey Spellerberg (state treasurer), Attorney General Mike Hilgers, State Auditor Mike Foley, and Scott Petersen (secretary of state) celebrated election night wins.

In the Legislature, 14 NEFB-PAC-endorsed candidates won their races:

• District 2: Dean Helmick of Plattsmouth
• District 6: Patrick Leahy of Omaha
• District 14: Bill Bowes of La Vista
• District 16: Ted Japp of Blair
• District 22: Dawson Brunswick of Columbus
• District 24: Jana Hughes of Seward
• District 30: Cally Ideus of Filley
• District 32: Mark Schoenrock of Diller
• District 34: Loren Lippincott of Central City
• District 36: Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue
• District 40: Barry DeKay of Niobrara
• District 41: Joe Johnson of Kearney
• District 42: Mike Jacobson of North Platte
• District 44: Teresa Ibach of Sumner

Three endorsed legislative candidates came up short. Christy Knorr of Omaha defeated NEFB-PAC's endorsed candidate Merv Riepe of Ralston in District 12. Jess Goldoni of Omaha defeated NEFB-PAC's endorsed candidate Taylor Royal of Bennington in District 18. Tim Anderson of Sutton defeated NEFB-PAC's endorsed candidate Janell Anderson Ehrke of Orleans in District 38.

District 4 remains one to watch. As of this writing, Cindy Maxwell Ostdiek of Omaha leads NEFB-PAC's endorsed candidate Brad von Gillern, but the race is still too close to call.

Both NEFB-PAC endorsed candidates Angie Eberspacher of Beaver Crossing (District 5) and Lou Ann Goding of Omaha (District8) won their races for the State Board of Education.

Brent Comstock of Lincoln defeated NEFB-PAC's endorsed candidate Jeremy Hosein for the District 1 seat on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

NEFB-PAC endorsed candidates also won local races. Mark Patton of Plattsmouth won the Lower Platte South NaturalResources District (Subdistrict 2) seat, while Bill Tielke of Atkinson wonelection to the Nebraska Public Power District (Subdivision 2) seat. NEFB-PAC endorsedcandidate Kevin Connot of Allen lost his bid for the Northeast Nebraska PublicPower District (Subdivision 8) seat.

Nebraska Farm Bureau congratulates the winners in each race and thanks every candidate for their willingness to step up and run for elected office. Putting your name on the ballot takes time, commitment, and a willingness to serve.

We also thank our Farm Bureau members who helped recruit and evaluate candidates, and guided NEFB-PAC endorsements. That member involvement is the foundation of our process. With the campaign season wrapping up, we look forward to working with the elected leaders on the issues that matter to Nebraska's farm and ranch families and our state.

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