District details

Schafer is a lawyer, a managing partner at a Beatrice law firm and a lieutenant colonel in the Nebraska Air National Guard. He also owns livestock, a farming operation and a Beatrice car dealership. He told Lincoln’s 10/11 News Now that he’s running for office “to provide the leadership and experience necessary to ensure our University is working effectively to meet its potential every single day.” He says he’s  also passionate about ensuring Nebraskans have the opportunity to live the American dream, as he has been able to do because of his hard work and higher education opportunities.

Rogge, a veteran of the Nebraska National Guard, has run for elected office before but without success. He finished fourth in a four-way primary for a seat on the Omaha Public Power District board in 2022. Rogge said he founded “Concerned Citizens of Nemaha County” in response to talks of dumping nuclear waste in rural areas of Nebraska. He said he is running for office “to bring respect to the State of Nebraska” after former athletic director Trev Alberts and former university president Ted Carter resigned. He also wants voters to know that he has worked as a self-employed farmer, and thus, knows how to fix things and make stuff happen. 

During his time as a regent, Schafer promoted a new full scholarship and stipend for Nebraskans who score a 36 on the ACT. He told the Nebraska Examiner that he believes the University of Nebraska system can help solve the brain drain with the help of the award. Schafer was among a minority of regents who backed a failed 2021 resolution opposing “any imposition” of  critical race theory in curriculum at NU. The resolution was put forward by Jim Pillen, who was a regent and candidate for governor at the time.

On the issues

Rogge said he would prioritize meeting the standards needed to regain entry to the Association of American Universities. He also said he would like to “use the University to bring science down to the high schools” and create more research labs. 

Schafer did not complete Flatwater Free Press’ questionnaire. According to his campaign website, he values conservative principles, academic integrity, high quality education and fiscal responsibility. He advocates for Nebraska students to receive a “well-rounded, unbiased education” — including not teaching CRT. He also would like the university system to remain affordable by cutting wasteful spending. 

Both candidates want the NU system to regain admission to the AAU. While Schafer opposes CRT, Rogge told the Flatwater Free Press that he doesn’t support restricting diversity and inclusion efforts in public universities. 

On budget cuts, Rogge said he would work with the Legislature to get sufficient funding and grow the state’s economy. He also stressed how inflation can eat away at a budget. Schafer told 1011 News he would increase enrollment — and thus revenue — by providing a “world class education at an affordable price.” He believes the key to this is cutting “cultural, political and social indoctrination on our campuses” and investing in areas that matter to the state’s economy — such as agriculture, athletics, business, engineering, extension, medicine, military, research and teaching. He also noted that “the University cannot, however, be a great institution for every discipline or course offering.”