District details
Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse has the backing of U.S. Sens. Pete Ricketts and Deb Fisher and Rep. Mike Flood. Meanwhile, Lana Peister — a registered nurse for 21 years — has endorsements from the Buffalo County Republican Party, the Nebraska GOP and Nebraska Sen. Steve Erdman.
Clouse said his previous public service experience — including on the Kearney City Council, Shelton Village Board, Natural Resources Commission and the Chief Elected Officials board — will help him represent the district in the Legislature. Clouse said he values community service and is a lifelong Nebraskan. He worked for the Nebraska Public Power District and is now “semi-retired.” The Nebraska Farm Bureau endorsed him.
Peister is a small business owner and active in the Buffalo County Republican Party and Buffalo County Republican Women. She’s also a former board member of the Kearney Area Animal Shelter. Peister said she is running for office to be an advocate for her constituents and uphold Nebraska’s “good life” values. She said she is a lifelong Buffalo County resident who “loves America and Nebraska and understands the sacrifice of keeping it.”
The winner in November will replace Sen. John Lowe, who is exiting due to term limits.
On the issues
Peister and Clouse both told the Flatwater Free Press they would support legislation to require transgender students to participate on sports teams corresponding to their sex at birth. Both oppose abortion, with Peister saying she supported a previously proposed six-week ban. Clouse said he would like to see the effects of the current 12-week ban before considering additional changes.
The two offered different solutions to address the brain drain. Peister said the state should institute tiered tuition incentives for students who stay and work in Nebraska after they graduate, with full tuition forgiveness after five years. Clouse said the state needs to work with education institutions to train students for jobs that are needed in Nebraska. Additionally, he would like to attract businesses to the state to continue economic growth.
If elected, Peister’s top three priorities include eliminating wasteful spending, protecting Nebraska children and addressing the workforce shortage — particularly among nurses and teachers. Clouse’s top priorities are ensuring fair and equitable legislation, avoiding unfunded mandates that cost taxpayers and fixing Nebraska’s tax structure. He said he’s passionate about listening to other perspectives and working together to resolve issues.
Location
The district runs along most of Buffalo County’s southern border. It includes Kearney, Shelton and Gibbon.
In the primary
Clouse received nearly 58% of the votes, and Peister won 33% in the three-way race.
