Anthony Hanson
We were not able to reach Mr. Hanson for an interview.
Roxie Kracl
Ms. Kracl did not respond to our request for an interview.
Peter Mayberry
We were not able to reach Peter Mayberry for an interview.
Scott Thomas
Scott Thomas was born in Wisconsin and raised all around the Midwest. Being a parent is Thomas’s motivation for running for the legislature. He has done child protection work in the community, and feels now is the right time for him to broaden that advocacy to the state level.
Thomas stated that the most important issue facing Nebraskans is that Nebraska is not at the forefront of the effort to protect children. He is also concerned with civic education.
When asked what state services he personally uses, Thomas stated that he drives on the highways every day. Thomas stated that the lack of childcare is a major public service shortfall in Nebraska.
Thomas said that it isn’t inherently bad to contract state services out to private companies, but that there has to be a degree of accountability. He said that sometimes transparency gets lost, but that there should be twice as much transparency and accountability for services provided to children and other vulnerable populations.
When asked if he supports the right of Nebraska State Employees to unionize and collectively bargain, Thomas said that he doesn’t have a vested interest either way. He believes that public sector workers should be able to bargain for their wages but he is also wary of any large collectivist effort. Thomas said that he would probably support a bill extending public sector collective bargaining rights to legislative and judicial branch employees. He also stated that he would oppose any legislation introduced to take away public sector collective bargaining rights in Nebraska.
When asked about legislative procedures, Thomas stated that committee chairs should be chosen by public vote and the filibuster rules need to be re-examined.
Dave “Woody” Wordekemper
Dave Wordekemper has been a firefighter in Fremont for more than 25 years. He values the years that he has served his community and said that he wants to continue to do so by running for the legislature.
Wordekemper said that the most important issue facing Nebraskans is the high property taxes and cost of living. He is concerned about maintaining public services and knows that we must address these issues to have a strong workforce. Part of this, he said, is supporting programs that help provide access to quality education that offers growth opportunities and ultimately leads to young adults entering and strengthening our workforce.
Wordekemper said that he’s not a politician and though he has not done anything like this before, he has experience lobbying in front of the legislature on behalf of the firefighter’s union. He feels he has a strong team behind him and that he can make meaningful changes by ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely while also ensuring that essential services aren’t being cut.
When asked what public services he uses the most, Wordekemper said that he drives on the highways every day, is an avid hunter, fisher, and camper who enjoys our State Parks, and his job as a firefighter sometimes includes working with the Department of Health and Human Services.
Wordekemper opposes the privatization of state services.
Wordekemper has a long history of union involvement and leadership. He wholeheartedly supports the rights of all workers to unionize and collectively bargain their wages and working conditions. He would support a bill expanding public sector collective bargaining rights to legislative and judicial branch employees and stated that being allowed to bargain brings democracy to the workplace. He would oppose any legislation aimed at taking away public sector collective bargaining rights in Nebraska.
Wordekemper said that committee chairs in the legislature should continue to be chosen by secret ballot and he supports the current filibuster.
Wordekemper is a staunch supporter of unions and believes he is the best candidate because he will advocate for the workers and fight to ensure we are always taking care of and strengthening our workforce.