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.

Jeremiah Jake Teeple

Occupation: Bartender

Home City: Gering

How long have you lived in this district: A little over 6 years

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

Our district specifically is struggling with underrepresentation at the state level due to urban population growth and redistricting. We need to find ways to make our economy competitive with CO, WY, and SD so we are not losing our best and brightest to neighboring communities. This starts with restructuring our state tax system to relieve the burden that we have placed on our property taxes which the most recent Legislature took the first few steps to address. The Unicameral is going to face the tough challenge of continuing the momentum and finding creative permanent sustainable solutions to funding our education system while promoting home ownership. 

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

I would say that we are very similar in core constitutionally conservative values. Neither of us are afraid to go against the crowd to stand up for what we know is right by our people. Senator Erdman has demonstrated initiative in addressing our tax concerns, and we need more elected officials with a backbone to stand together for real change in our state and communities.