District details

O’Connor, a University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate and Douglas County prosecutor, said she’s running for reelection to keep higher education accessible and affordable. She expressed passion  about helping Nebraska attract new businesses and top professors to the NU system. She says she wants to empower cutting edge research and be a part of “experienced, optimistic, and motivated leadership … who are not distracted by the political issues of the day.” 

Rogers, who served as chair of UNO’s Mathematics Department before retiring to campaign, believes current board members do not have the time to dedicate themselves to the position and fail to oversee administrators’ decisions. He said university leadership often frustrated him during his career, and believes his experience in higher education will help him understand and review decisions made by administrators. He is running for office to “rectify the current deficiencies in board oversight of NU.” He wants voters to know he’s passionate about serving as a regent and said the position will get his undivided attention.

O’Connor’s said she’s proud of her time as regent, and specifically mentioned the Nebraska Promise tuition endeavor and a partnership to address rural health care access. 

On the issues

O’Connor, who during her time as a regent has raised fiscal concerns on certain items including former President Ted Carter’s salary, wants to bring new businesses to Nebraska to reverse the brain drain, attract renowned professors and ensure Nebraska has a top-tier medical center. She also says she values expanding research efforts. 

If elected, Rogers says he would prioritize creating an operable mission statement for the system that would set clear goals for the university — whether that be becoming a leader in research or efficiently crank out low cost degrees. Additionally, he says he would hold administrators accountable and work with administration to ensure the system can remain relevant in an ever-changing world. 

Both candidates expressed hesitation when asked if they support exploring consolidation of the University of Nebraska’s four campuses. Rogers said he worries the university will pursue the effort to consolidate power, and in the process, negate the supposed unique purpose of each campus. O’Connor said the system should not do so simply to make a change. Any restructure should focus on ensuring students have an affordable and accessible education, she said. 

They also both oppose restricting diversity and inclusion curriculum at public universities — though Rogers added that diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives can be poorly executed and waste time and resources. O’Connor said a university’s purpose is the free discourse of ideas, and Rogers said it’s a legitimate topic to teach.

Location

District 4 represents eastern Omaha. Specifically, it stretches south to Ralston and includes residents east of 72nd Street. Its northern and southern borders are the Douglas County lines. 

In the primary

O’Connor received nearly twice the amount of votes as Rogers — earning about 15,000 to his approximate 7,500.