District details

Bowes, a Republican, spent 38 years as a member of various community fire departments. He oversaw the merger of the Papillion and La Vista Fire Departments in 2014.

Witt, a retired Nebraska Department of Education program manager, also served as the 2025  president of the Papillion La Vista School Board. She is a Democrat.

Bowes is endorsed by Nebraska officials like Rep. Mike Flood and groups like the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners. See the full list on his campaign website. Witt is endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska, EMILYs List and Democrats Work for America. 

On the issues

Bowes said he’s running because of his seven grandchildren, hoping to give every Nebraska grandchild the chance to find careers in Nebraska. He said he also wants to continue serving his community in retirement. Witt said she’s running to continue being a public servant, which has been at the center of her life and career. She said she wants the Legislature to work for hard-working people and make life more affordable.

Both candidates said affordability is the No. 1 issue in the district. Bowes said property taxes are a huge part of that. He said the state should stop basing property taxes on unrealized gains from increased property valuations and find a way to cap or limit the amount taxes can increase based on assumed value. Witt said the Legislature should solve affordability problems by decreasing the property tax burden on families, returning to responsible government spending and implementing policies that put hardworking people first.

Witt said she would not support raising sales taxes in Nebraska as it would stagnate the local economy or drive it into a recession. Legislators should deliver targeted property tax relief instead, she said. Bowes said he would not support any tax increase that does not also include a corresponding decrease in spending or a reduction in another tax equal to or greater than the increase.

When the voters speak at the ballot box, legislators must honor their intent, Bowes said. The Legislature then must implement the will of the people in a workable way, he said. Legislators are elected to serve and represent the people’s voice, not to override it, Witt said. Lawmakers need to respect the will of the voters when they make a decision at the ballot box, she said, and allowing the Legislature to alter this process after measures are already passed weakens the public’s trust in Nebraska’s institutions.

Witt said she thinks decisions on data centers are best left up to local elected officials and local community members who are directly affected by these projects. There should be a plan in place to properly decommission these plants should the business decide to remove its investment from the state, she said, and these projects and costs should not be placed on the backs of taxpayers. Artificial intelligence is here, Bowes said, and we can either find ways to use it or get left behind. He said the Legislature could craft policy that protects Nebraska’s limited resources and the environment while working to address the needs in the ever-expanding technology marketplace.

Bowes said Nebraska needs a tax system that is favorable for business recruitment and development, rather than the valuation-based property tax system that currently exists, in order to fix the state’s budget deficit. Witt said she has managed large budgets before when working at Omaha Public Schools. The key, she said, is to be responsible with spending, identify areas where things can be cut back and increase revenue where possible. Witt said she would be a good steward of taxpayer dollars and use her finance experience to help balance the state budget.

Legislators need to make Nebraska a state where young people see opportunity and build a life, Witt said. She said legislators need to address the rising costs of housing, childcare services and healthcare, which are pushing families out of the state. Bowes said good-paying jobs that offer career advancement are what Nebraska needs to battle brain drain. The Legislature needs to attract new businesses and create an environment where already-existing businesses can grow, he said.