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By Alex McLoon, KETV-7.
OMAHA, Neb. — Southeast Nebraska has four candidates on the ballot for Legislature District One. But only three people are running: a librarian, a lawyer, and a local public official who have deep ties to the area.
Outgoing Sen. Julie Slama says she's focusing on motherhood. The one Democrat running for the seat is Glenda Willnerd, a longtime librarian and education advocate.
"We always followed the legislation, anything that impacted schools, we wanted to know what was going on and if our presence was needed at the Legislature," Willnerd said.
She's looking out for students and schools.
"School librarians are trained in how to select materials. They're trained in how to deal with challenges. And so that should be handled at the local level. It should have never arrived at that state level," Willnerd said.
Now looking to write her next chapter at the state capitol, she says property tax relief is her top priority.
"It has to be fair and equitable for all people," she said.
Unadilla's groundhog queen says she wants to keep public education funds with public education, and help veterans.
"We need to look at mental health issues for veterans and provide more resources for them. And I think we also need to look at affordable housing," Willnerd said.
The Democrat is crisscrossing the counties of Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee and Richardson at the same time as two Republican candidates.
Lawyer and Legislature lobbyist Robert Hallstrom is a familiar face around the state capitol.
"I think what I've done in my professional career has probably somewhat unknowingly prepared me for this moment," Hallstrom said.
He has worked around the legislature for 40 years. Property tax relief is also front and center of his campaign. Senators are preparing for the governor's call for a special session.
"(There's) a lot of consternation from the public with regard to the proposed 1% sales tax increase. But front-end loading the property tax credit to provide direct and meaningful property tax relief from the levy perspective appears to be a really solid approach," Hallstrom said.
The Syracuse chamber member is endorsed by the state's attorney general. Hallstrom says he'll be a champion for farmers and small businesses, and focused on helping the rural workforce
"I've worked extensively on rural workforce housing, but a real stickler is the issue of child care. Both accessibility, availability and affordability. We've got to continue to work on those issues to make it more accommodating for folks to get into and stay in the workforce," Hallstrom said.
The other Republican candidate in the race is Dennis Schaardt, who has been the mayor of Table Rock, city council member, Pawnee county commissioner, and volunteer fire chief who's making a second attempt at the seat.
"The middle of COVID was really tough to go out and meet people, you couldn't go out and meet people," Schaardt said.
He is has been a small business owner since age 19. Lowering the tax burden is also top of mind.
"Everybody's mind is taxes, how to fix them. But I'm not a fan of all the some of these new things that come up, the big tax or the new sales tax or trying to that year," Schaardt said.
He's also concerned about reducing state spending and defending ag producers.
"Out here in our district, we need rural help to make more economic development things out here," Schaardt said.
In the southeast corner of the state, these candidates hope to see the most turnout, and ask everyone to vote May 14th.
When you vote for Legislature District 1, you'll see a fourth name on the ballot. Candidate Bob Holman wrote a letter which said he's backing out of the race and endorsing Dennis Schaardt.
Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson and Otoe County Farm Bureaus sponsored the Legislative District 1 Candidate Forum, held April 11 at 7:00 pm at the Sterling Community Center.
Direct link: https://fb.watch/rLo3TUp43u/
By John Nixon, MSC News.
Robert J. “Bob” Hallstrom, an attorney from Syracuse has filed to run for the Nebraska Legislature District 1 seat.
Hallstrom said in a press release the his priorities in the Legislature will include working to reduce the property tax burden on farmers and families, being a champion for family farmers and small business and supporting quality education to prepare our kids and grandkids in the future.
Hallstrom continued noting he is pro-life, a supporter of the 2nd Amendment and a fiscal conservative.
Also seeking the non-partisan legislative seat currently held by State Senator Julie Slama who announced she would not seek re-election are Dennis Schaardtfrom Steinauer, Bob Holman from Auburn and Glenda Willnerd from Unadilla.
Read more — https://www.mscnews.net/news/?nk=77164