District details

Guereca is the executive director of Stand for Schools and a leader of Nebraska Democrats. Previously, he served as president of the Nebraska Young Democrats and was an organizer for the Service Employees International Union. Guereca said he is running “to be a voice for people who feel like they don’t have one.” He said he will ensure “Nebraska’s public schools remain among the best in the country” and he will bring experience, leadership and values to the position. He has endorsements from the state teachers union, Nebraska public employee union and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska.

Pendrell is a South Omaha native. Before running for the Unicameral, he was a committee clerk for the Nebraska Legislature and fundraised for nonprofits. He also previously served as an AmeriCorps/VISTA member for Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. Pendrell said he’s running because he’s committed to the future of downtown and South Omaha. He believes his experience will help him address the community’s challenges. He said he is dedicated to “listening to all voices and working tirelessly to build a future where every resident feels valued and empowered.” He is endorsed by the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Guereca has a strong cash advantage. He has raised $77,919 and had $15,316 cash on hand as of June. Pendrell has raised $29,056 and had $3,539 cash on hand as of June.

On the issues

Both candidates told the Flatwater Free Press affordability is among their top priorities. Pendrell said he will support policies that help working families, such as initiatives for affordable housing, quality health care and education. Guereca said he wants to improve access to quality health care, including mental health care, and help ensure people have safe and stable housing and access to healthy food. 

Guereca said his No. 1 priority is a tax system that puts less burden on working families. He also wants more state money for schools to help them deliver quality education. Pendrell said growing the local economy is his top priority. Public safety is another priority. He said he wants to foster trust between law enforcement and residents, improve response times and implement crime prevention strategies. 

Pendrell is neutral toward school choice while Guereca strongly opposes it. Pendrell told the Flatwater Free Press that his top priority is to ensure public education is well funded. But he said he doesn’t have a “strong philosophical opposition to the idea of school choice” as long as public schools are set up to serve all students adequately. 

On property taxes, Guereca said he’d like to see more relief targeted to homeowners. He’d like to grow the state’s economy and its tax base, and address rising property valuations. He opposes increasing taxes “on hard-working Nebraskans who are already struggling.” Pendrell said he favors a budget-neutral approach. He suggested reallocating the budget to increase state funding for education, while also limiting the taxing authority of school districts, which would lead to a direct reduction in property tax bills, he said.

Location

This eastern Omaha district sits between U.S. Highway 75 and the Iowa border. It stretches from Abbott Drive in the north and Harrison Street in the south.

In the primary

Guereca outperformed Pendrell and two other candidates, but the race was tight with only 333 votes between Guereca and the candidate who received the least number of votes.