Three seeking open seat for Lincoln’s District 46

James Michael Bowers, Danielle Conrad and James Herrold are working to symbolize the district encompassing elements of north-central and northeast Lincoln when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

Following the 2021 redistricting course of, District 46 contains areas east of Interstate 180 and south of I-80, with Cornhusker Freeway reducing throughout the district because it stretches all the best way to 84th Avenue.

The district contains the College of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Metropolis and East campuses and the North Bottoms, Belmont and Havelock neighborhoods.

Voters will ship two of the three candidates ahead to the November common election.

James Michael Bowers mentioned his experiences on the Lincoln Metropolis Council and in Lincoln Public Faculties have offered stark examples of how coverage impacts the lives of on a regular basis Nebraskans.

“I’ve seen how dangerous coverage can hurt households, and the way good coverage can elevate households out of poverty, shield youngsters and create a extra steady neighborhood,” Bowers mentioned.

Elected to the Metropolis Council in 2019, Bowers, a faculty social employee and therapist, mentioned his work on the frontlines have given him perspective to advocate for District 46 within the Legislature.

A 31-year-old registered Democrat, Bowers mentioned he served town through the coronavirus pandemic and racial justice protests, has seen the impression COVID has had on colleges, and survived a recall try.

“I’ve tales and experiences I can draw on that contact on plenty of the work that the Legislature does,” he mentioned. “I believe individuals are genuinely shocked at what a few of our residents in Nebraska undergo.”

If elected, Bowers mentioned his focus within the Legislature can be bettering entry to well being care. Within the coming years, Lincoln can have extra senior-aged residents than college students at LPS, which would require expanded capability and assets.

Bowers mentioned lawmakers also needs to enhance funding for native well being departments throughout the state, develop psychological well being assets in colleges and goal any future tax aid to assist working households.

Voters within the district have informed him they really feel left behind within the tax cuts enacted by the Legislature, Bowers mentioned.

“We’d like to verify when tax aid occurs, it has to impression working households,” he mentioned.

Danielle Conrad served two phrases as District 46’s state senator earlier than time period limits compelled her out in 2015.

She mentioned her expertise, historical past of working to construct consensus, and understanding of the legislative guidelines and course of would make her a “day one chief” for each the district and the state as she seeks to return for a 3rd time period.

“It takes a substantial period of time to stand up to hurry and actually forge these relationships which are requisite for sound policymaking and to have difficult debates and discover common-ground options,” Conrad mentioned.

The previous govt director of the ACLU of Nebraska and mom of two mentioned she determined to leap into the race after watching the gubernatorial race play out this yr.

“I believe that, in some ways, it’s illustrative of politics at its worst and what individuals are so pissed off about,” she mentioned. “And I do know having a powerful, unbiased, skilled Legislature can verify the worst abuses of a governor’s agenda.”

Conrad, a 44-year-old registered Democrat, mentioned she’s going to deal with “kitchen desk points” like paid household and medical depart, expanded little one care choices, and bettering the standard of public schooling “preschool by faculty.”

She mentioned financial improvement needs to be spurred by increasing the workforce and reasonably priced housing, and making certain infrastructure developments are unfold equitably throughout city and rural areas.

“I’m clear-eyed in regards to the challenges of our public life, however I’m all the time additionally optimistic,” Conrad mentioned. “Every of us has a component to play.”

James Herrold mentioned he needs to offer District 46 “an actual selection on this election.”

The true property agent and father of two mentioned he has contrasting concepts from Conrad and Bowers and mentioned there are extra restricted government-minded voters within the district than many consider.

“I don’t suppose District 46 has had a candidate that may be a lower-tax, smaller-government, free-market particular person working in a number of election cycles,” he mentioned, “and I believe I’ve a special imaginative and prescient than different candidates.”

Herrold, 36, who unsuccessfully ran for the Lincoln Metropolis Council in 2019, mentioned his high precedence can be reducing taxes and reforming the state’s tax construction and eliminating pointless occupational licensing necessities in Nebraska.

Having grown up on a farm in Seward County, Herrold mentioned he understands the function agriculture performs within the state’s economies, in addition to the strain property taxes have on producers.

A Libertarian, Herrold mentioned he additionally understands the wants of enterprise in city areas of the state, and believes his voice can assist bridge the urban-rural divide within the Legislature.

Herrold mentioned he additionally believes the Legislature ought to do extra to “bolster the non-public liberties we noticed eroded the final couple of years,” by curbing the ability of well being administrators and stopping vaccines from being mandated.

“I believe individuals see the federal government overreach of the final couple years they usually need somebody who’s going to struggle for his or her private liberties,” he mentioned.