RACE FOR THE 48TH

The 48th District of the Nebraska Unicameral now includes Kimball, Banner and Scotts Bluff counties due to redistricting.

The 48th seat is currently held by John Stinner, but he will term out at the end of this year. So this year, 24 of the even-numbered seats among the 49 legislative districts of the Unicameral will elect representatives.

Due to redistricting, Sen. Steve Erdman no longer will represent this area.

Following are responses to Observer questions from the five candidates looking to fill the seat. They are being run in alphabetical order of their last names.

The winner of the May 10 primary will determine the victor.

Brian Hardin

Occupation: Business Consulting

Home City: Gering

How long have you lived in this district:  20 years

Briefly describe the important issues facing the district, Unicameral and the State of Nebraska in the next few years.

1) Ag inputs are exploding exponentially.  I'll fight for financial protections. 

2) Incremental changes are not changing the landscape of having the weakest tax structures among NE, IA, KS, CO, WY and SD -- we're in last place even WITH 900M in phased tax cuts signed last week. 

3) Attracting and retaining workforce -- which means attracting business creators (SEE #2) and creating incentives for our youngsters to invest here.

4) Housing ... the workforce needs a place to live!  Kimball is facing immense challenges with expansion of Clean Harbors and Military complex coming to town 5) Ease licensing restrictions for reciprocal and universal agreements from other states. 6) Pass both Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine laws for 2A. 7) Genuine School Choice options (ESA's or vouchers) for ALL students and let the money follow the child.  8) CRT and so called "health standards" are divisive and unacceptable.  9) We need a bill to protect girls sports in Nebraska.  10)  We need to prohibit gender transition surgeries for minors.

How would you compare yourself politically to our current Unicameral Senator Steve Erdman? 

I'm politically and fiscally conservative.  I consider Senator Erdman a friend.  We share the same Christian world view.  He has been extremely helpful in providing suggestions for navigating my way through the campaign.