2016 Legislative Races
District 1 - Unopposed Incumbent
State Senator Dan Watermeier - ADVANCES—100% Incumbent Republican Residence: Syracuse Age: 55 Occupation: Farmer Spouse: Jean Children: 3 Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $54,408 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Appropriations Building Maintenance Committee on Committees Executive Board - Vice Chair Legislative Performance Audit - Chair Reference - Vice Chair 2016 Legislative Races
District 3 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Tommy Garrett - ADVANCES—56% Incumbent Republican Residence: Bellevue Age: 61 Occupation: Retired Air Force, Owner of Garrett Group, Security Consulting for the Defense Department Spouse: Julie Children: 3 Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2013 (appointed); elected 2014
Cash on Hand $32,548 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Committee On Committees Government, Military and Veterans Affairs - Vice Chair Rules - Chair Transportation and Telecommunications
Carol Blood - ADVANCES—44% Democrat Residence: Bellevue Age: 52 Occupation: Business Specialist at Nebraska Self Employment Services Spouse: Joe Children: 3 Bellevue City Council since 2008 Ran for Legislature against Garrett in 2014 losing (54%-46%)
Cash on Hand $730 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 5 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Heath Mello)
Mike McDonnell - ADVANCES—76% Democrat Residence: Omaha Age: 49 Occupation: instructor at Univ. of Neb. - Omaha, former Omaha Fire Chief Spouse: Amy Children: 1
Cash on Hand $50,833 as of April 5, 2016
Gilbert Ayala - ADVANCES—24% Republican Residence: Omaha No Age: 46 Photo Cash on Hand Available No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 7 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Nicole Fox - DEFEATED—27% Incumbent Republican Residence: Omaha Age: 42 Occupation: Nutrition Therapist, UNMC Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2015 (appointed)
Cash on Hand $19,889 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Banking, Commerce & Insurance Health & Human Services
John Synowiecki - ADVANCES—29% Tony Vargas - ADVANCES—44% Democrat Democrat Residence: Omaha Residence: Omaha Age: 53 Age: 31 Occupation: Director for Occupation: Education Catholic Charities of Omaha Consultant Spouse: Divorced Spouse: Lauren (engaged) Children: 3 Former State Senator 2002-2008 Cash on Hand $21,891 as of April 5, 2016 Cash on Hand $24,335 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 9 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Sara Howard - ADVANCES—78% Incumbent Democrat Residence: Omaha Age: 34 Occupation: Attorney Spouse: Doug Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $51,279 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Business and Labor Health and Human Services - Vice Chair Urban Affairs
Van Argyrakis - DEFEATED—4% Larry Roland - ADVANCES—19% Republican Republican Residence: Omaha Residence: Omaha Age: 47 Age: 41 Occupation: Attorney Occupation: Attorney
Cash on Hand Cash on Hand No filing $3,157 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 11 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Ernie Chambers - ADVANCES—74% Incumbent Non-partisan Residence: Omaha Age: 78 Occupation: Barber Spouse: Divorced Children: 4 Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 1970-2008 (term-limited), Re-elected: 2012
Cash on Hand No filing
Committees Agriculture Business and Labor Executive Board Judiciary Reference
Fonte Hamilton - DEFEATED—9% John Sciara - ADVANCES—18% Democrat Republican Residence: Omaha Residence: Omaha Age: 25 Age: 60 Occupation: Musician Occupation: Insurance Agent Cash on Hand Spouse: Glorious No filing Children: 3
Cash on Hand No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 13 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Tanya Cook)
Mark Elworth, Jr. - DEFEATED—6% Republican Residence: Omaha Age: 40 Occupation: Self-employed Freelancer State Chair: Legal Marijuana Now Nebraska 2014 Libertarian Candidate for Governor
Cash on Hand No filing
Jill Brown - ADVANCES—42% Democrat Residence: Omaha Age: 42 Occupation: Professor - Creighton Univ. Spouse: Jim Children: 5
Cash on Hand $10,579
Justin Wayne - ADVANCES—44% Jake Seeman - DEFEATED—8% Democrat Democrat Residence: Omaha Residence: Omaha Age: 36 Age: 28 Occupation: Attorney Occupation: Attorney
Cash on Hand Cash on Hand $626 as of April 5, 2016 No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 15 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator David Schnoor - ADVANCES—55% Republican Residence: Scribner Age: 53 Occupation: Cattle Feeder Spouse: Nickie Children: 8 Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2014 (appointed)
Cash on Hand $16,813 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Education Natural Resources
Lynne Walz - ADVANCES—45% Democrat Residence: Fremont Age: 52 Occupation: REALTOR® Spouse: Chris Children: 3
Cash on Hand $8,106 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 17 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Dave Bloomfield)
Ardel Bengtson - ADVANCES—31% Democrat Residence: South Sioux City Age: 67 Occupation: Retired Teacher Spouse: Widow Children: 3
Cash on Hand $12,875 as of April 5, 2016
Joni Albrecht - ADVANCES—63% Republican Residence: Thurston Age: 57 Occupation: Farmer Spouse: Mike
Cash on Hand $608 as of April 5, 2016
Louis E. Benscoter - DEFEATED—6% Democrat Residence: Wayne No Age: 57 Occupation: Plumber Photo
Cash on Hand Available No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 19 - Unopposed Incumbent
State Senator Jim Scheer - ADVANCES—100% Republican Residence: Norfolk Age: 62 Occupation: Insurance Agency Owner Spouse: Kristi Children: 3 Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $47,314 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Banking - Chair Revenue 2016 Legislative Races
District 21 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Ken Haar)
Mike Hilgers - ADVANCES—53% Republican Residence: Lincoln Age: 37 Occupation: Attorney Spouse: Heather Children: 2
Cash on Hand $53,561 as of April 5, 2016
Larry Scherer - ADVANCES—34% Democrat Residence: Raymond Age: 63 Occupation: Research Director and lobbyist for Nebraska State Education Association (Teachers Union) Spouse: Deborah Children: 4
Cash on Hand $12,931 as of April 5, 2016
Rick Vest - DEFEATED—13% Democrat Residence: Lincoln Age: 61 Occupation: Retired Railroad
Cash on Hand $6,130 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 23 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Jerry Johnson - ADVANCES—45% Republican Residence: Wahoo Age: 73 Occupation: Retired Agriculture Business Spouse: Arlene Children: 2 Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $16,807 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Agriculture - Chair Business and Labor Natural Resources
Bruce Bostelman - ADVANCES—55% Democrat Residence: Brainard Age: 53 Occupation: Farmer Spouse: Jan Children: 2
Cash on Hand $7,567 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 25 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Kathy Campbell)
Suzanne Geist - ADVANCES—36% Jim Gordon - ADVANCES—32% Republican Democrat Residence: Lincoln Residence: Lincoln Age: 54 Age: 68 Occupation: Clothing Store Occupation: Attorney Owner Spouse: Mark Cash on Hand Children: 3 $30,405 as of April 5, 2016
Cash on Hand $27,567 as of April 5, 2016
Dale Michels - DEFEATED—13% Les Spry - DEFEATED—15% Republican Republican Residence: Walton Residence: Lincoln Age: 67 Age: 64 Occupation: Physician Occupation: Physician Spouse: Denise Cash on Hand Children: 2 $13,875 as of April 5, 2016 Cash on Hand $25,026 as of April 5, 2016
David Tagart - DEFEATED—3% Non-partisan Residence: Lincoln Age: 57 Occupation: Attorney
Cash on Hand No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 27 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Colby Coash)
Deb Andrews - DEFEATED—8% Non-partisan Residence: Lincoln Age: 65 Occupation: Retired Nebraska Dept. of Labor
Cash on Hand No filing
Dick Clark - ADVANCES—30% Republican Residence: Lincoln Age: 33 Occupation: Attorney Spouse: Justina Children: 3
Cash on Hand $6,171 as of April 5, 2016
Anna Wishart - ADVANCES—62% Democrat Residence: Lincoln Age: 30 Occupation: Legislative Staffer Spouse: Joe Children: 1
Cash on Hand $27,940 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 29 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Kate Bolz - ADVANCES—83% Democrat Residence: Lincoln Age: 37 Occupation: Ex. Dir. for Nebraska Association of Service Providers Spouse: Brendon (fiancé) Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $64,394 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Appropriations
Melody Vaccaro - ADVANCES—17% Democrat Residence: Lincoln Age: 38 Occupation: Specialist at Mortech (Mortgage Software Company) Spouse: Nick Children: 1
Cash on Hand No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 31 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Rick Kolowski - ADVANCES—41% Incumbent Democrat Residence: Omaha Age: 71 Occupation: Retired High School Principal Spouse: Bonnie Children: 2 Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $34,642 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Education - Vice Chair Natural Resources Retirement Systems
Peter Mayberry - DEFEATED—9% Ian Swanson - ADVANCES—50% Republican Republican Residence: Omaha No Residence: Omaha Age: 35 Age: 24 Occupation: Sales Manager Photo Occupation: Owner of Available Christian Publishing Cash on Hand Company No filing Cash on Hand No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 33 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Les Seiler - ADVANCES—38% Republican Residence: Hastings Age: 74 Occupation: Attorney Spouse: Joann Children: 3 Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $28,533 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Judiciary - Chair Transportation
Steve Halloran - ADVANCES—62% Republican Residence: Hastings Age: 69 Occupation: Retired Farmer
Cash on Hand $4,633 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 35 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Mike Gloor)
Gregg Neuhaus - ADVANCES—39% Republican Residence: Grand Island Age: 63 Occupation: Attorney Spouse: Leslie Children: 2
Cash on Hand $10,027 as of April 5, 2016
Dan Quick - ADVANCES—43% Democrat Residence: Grand Island Age: 58 Occupation: Utility Worker, Labor Union Leader Spouse: Alice Children: 3
Cash on Hand $20,703 as of April 5, 2016
Zach Zoul - DEFEATED—18% Republican Residence: Grand Island Age: 57 Occupation: Owner and Broker of Grand Island Realty and Zoul Properties Spouse: Divorced Children: 2
Cash on Hand $4,042 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 37 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Galen Hadley)
Bob Lammers - ADVANCES—43% Republican Residence: Kearney Age: 60 Occupation: Retired General Appraiser Spouse: Marilyn Children: 1
Cash on Hand $12,629 as of April 5, 2016
John Lowe - ADVANCES—49% Republican Residence: Kearney Age: 56 Occupation: Restaurant Owner Spouse: Kim Children: 3
Cash on Hand No filing
Mike McShea - DEFEATED—9% Republican Residence: Kearney Age: 64 Occupation: Owner of Car Dealership Spouse: Gaye Children: 2
Cash on Hand No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 39 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Beau McCoy)
Bill Armbrust - ADVANCES—32% Democrat Residence: Elkhorn Age: 58 Occupation: Farmer Spouse: Diane Children: 3
Cash on Hand $519 as of April 5, 2016
Pat Borchers - DEFEATED—31% Republican Residence: Omaha Age: 54 Occupation: Professor at Creighton Univ. Spouse: Judy Children: 5
Cash on Hand $61,568 as of April 5, 2016
Lou Ann Linehan - ADVANCES—38% Republican Residence: Elkhorn Age: 60 Occupation: Retired former Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel Spouse: Kevin Children: 4
Cash on Hand $55,649 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 41 - Unopposed Open Seat (Currently Sen. Kate Sullivan)
Tom Briese - ADVANCES—100% Republican Residence: Albion Age: 57 Occupation: Attorney and Farmer Spouse: Joan Children: 2
Cash on Hand $17,796 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 43 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Al Davis - ADVANCES—46% Republican Residence: Hyannis Age: 63 Occupation: Rancher Spouse: Dottie Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $53,429 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Revenue Transportation and Telecommunications Retirement Systems- Vice Chair
Tom Brewer - ADVANCES—54% Republican Residence: Gordon Age: 57 Occupation: Retired Military Spouse: Kelli Children: 2
Cash on Hand No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 45 - Opposed Incumbent
State Senator Sue Crawford - ADVANCES—50% Democrat Residence: Bellevue Age: 49 Occupation: Professor, Creighton University Spouse: David Children: 2 Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $49,247 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Urban Affairs- Chair Business and Labor Health and Human Services
Michael Cook - ADVANCES—50% Republican Residence: Bellevue Age: 68 Occupation: Retired Military, Current Flight Instructor Spouse: Tina Children: 2
Cash on Hand No filing 2016 Legislative Races
District 47 - Open Seat (Currently Sen. Ken Schilz)
Karl Elmshaeuser - ADVANCES—25% Republican Residence: Ogallala Age: 54 Occupation: Executive Director of the West Cent. Neb. Development District Spouse: Kris Children: 4
Cash on Hand No filing
Steve Erdman - ADVANCES—36% Republican Residence: Bayard Age: 65 Occupation: Farmer Spouse: Cathy Children: 3
Cash on Hand $5,505 as of April 5, 2016
Wendall Gaston - DEFEATED—17% Peggy Popps - DEFEATED—22% Republican Republican Residence: Sidney Residence: Sidney Age: 62 Age: 59 Occupation: Pharmacist Occupation: Cabela’s Spouse: Deana Spouse: Engaged Children: 3 (Sean Doyle) Children: 2 Cash on Hand $5,737 as of April 5, 2016 Cash on Hand $3,454 as of April 5, 2016 2016 Legislative Races
District 49 - Unopposed Incumbent
State Senator John Murante - ADVANCES—100% Incumbent Republican Residence: Gretna Age: 34 Occupation: Pizza Store Owner Spouse: Melissa Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2012
Cash on Hand $84,382 as of April 5, 2016
Committees Government, Military and Veterans Affairs - Chair Transportation and Telecommunications Reference Executive Board