2007-2009 Senators
(The Senators are listed in order of Legislative District number from top to bottom)
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Sen. Lavon Heidemann
(District 1, Elk Creek)
ABATE
of
Home Address:
62058 719 Rd., Elk Creek, NE 68348
Office: Room 1004, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2733, fax (402) 479-0901, E-mail: lheidemann@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2004
Committees: Appropriations
Biography: Born Oct. 24, 1958, in Pawnee City.
Education: Graduate of
Family: Wife, Robin. Children: Jared, Mikayla
and Bryan.
Occupation: Farmer.
Member: Local fire district board; St. Peter’s
Former: Elk Creek Public Schools Board of Education.
Voted “YES” on LB70 in
2005
Sen.-elect Dave Pankonin
(District 2,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office:
Room 1529, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees: Banking, Commerce and Insurance; Health and Human Services
Biography:
Born Dec. 1, 1951, in
Education: Graduate of
Family: Married Lori Chaee, July 12, 1975;
two children: Paul and Stephanie.
Occupation: Owner and president, Pankonin’s,
Inc.
Former: Louisville Mayor; Louisville City Council (president);
Louisville Public School Board; UNL College of Business Administration Alumni
Board (president); Nebraska United Methodist Foundation Board of Directors;
Nebraska United Methodist Church Council on Finance and Administration
(chair).
Member: Home State Bank Board of Directors,
Honors and awards: UNL Innocents Society, 1973; UNL College of Business
Administration Alumni Leadership Award, 1985; UNL Alumni Association Young
Alumnus Award, 1987.
I
think the compromise that State Sen
Sen. Gail Kopplin
(District 3,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office:
Room 1008, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone (402) 471-2627, fax (402)
479-0903, E-Mail: gkopplin@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2004
Committees: Education; Natural Resources
Biography: Born May 20, 1939, in
Education: Graduate of Peru State College (B.S.), 1966;
Family: Wife, Mary Lou. Children: Janette, Thomas and Deborah.
Occupation: Retired school administrator.
Member: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gretna Chamber of Commerce,
Gretna Business Association, Gretna Optimists Club.
Former member:
Voted “NO” on LB70 in 2005
Sen.-elect Pete Pirsch
(District 4,
ABATE
of
Office:
Room 1404, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees:
Banking, Commerce and Insurance; Judiciary; Intergovernmental Cooperation
Biography:
Born Oct. 28, 1969, in
Education: Graduate of Omaha Central High School, 1988; University of
Virginia, B.A. (government), 1992; University of Nebraska College of Law,
J.D., 1997; University of Nebraska-Omaha College of Business, M.B.A., 2005.
Family: Married Lori Pirsch, Sept. 17,
2004.
Occupation: Criminal prosecutor for the city of
Former: Vice-president, PBC, Inc.
Member: Nebraska Crime Commission Board; Board of Trustees, S.I.D. 337
(elected); St. Vincent de Paul Church; Boy Scouts of America (volunteer); Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of the Midlands (volunteer); Omaha Bar Association
(Public Service Committee); Nebraska State Bar Association; Omaha Jaycees;
Omaha Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Council; Rotary Club; Knights of
Columbus.
No
Response
Sen. Don Preister
(District 5,
ABATE
of
Mailing Address:
4522 Borman St., Omaha, NE 68157
Office: Room 1206, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2710, E-mail: dpreister@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004
Committees: Committee on Committees (vice chairperson);
Agriculture; Business and Labor; Revenue
Biography: Born Dec. 23, 1946, in Columbus.
Education: Graduate of St. Francis Elementary and
Occupation: Greeting card manufacturer, Joy Creations.
Military service:
Member: Optimist Club (former president, board member); Q Merchants;
South Omaha Business Association; South Omaha Neighborhood Association;
Veterans for Peace; Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society; American Legion;
Eagles; South Omaha Environmental Task Force; Audubon Society; Sierra Club.
Former: Scout and Explorer post leader; Keep Omaha Beautiful
volunteer;
Voted “NO” on LB70 in 2005
Voted “AGAINST” cloture
Sen.-elect
John E. Nelson
(District 6,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office: Room 1118, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, (402)
471-2714, E-mail: jnelson@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2006
Committees: Appropriations
Biography: Born Dec. 29, 1935.
Family: Married Judy Nelson.
Occupation: Attorney.
No
Response
Sen. John Synowiecki
(District 7,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office: Room 2004, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2721, E-mail: jsynowiecki@leg.ne.gov
Appointed to Nebraska Legislature: Appointed Jan. 7, 2002, to
replace John Hilgert, who resigned; elected 2002,
2004
Committees:
Biography: Born Nov. 28, 1963 in
Education: Graduate of
Family: Father of three.
Occupation: Program Director for Governmental Relations, Catholic
Charities.
Former: Probation Supervisor,
Honors/awards:
Present and former membership: Chicano Awareness Center, Chemical
Dependency Advisory Committee, 1997-99; All Saints Grade School Athletic
Sports Club, Parish Council, 1994-95; President of Council, 1995;
Nebraska-Iowa Referee Association, 1993-Present; Midwest Officials
Association, 1997-present.
Voted “NO” on LB70 in 2005
Voted “AGAINST” cloture
Sen.-elect Tom White
(District 8,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office:
Room 1117, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees: Business
and Labor;
Biography:
Born Oct. 26, 1956, in
Education: Graduate of
Family: Married Barbara White, Aug. 17, 1984; two children: Logan and
Reilly.
Occupation: Attorney.
Former: truck driver; painter; construction worker.
Member: St. Cecilia’s Cathedral Parish; Ancient Order of
Hibernians; Nebraska Horse Council; 4-H; Field Club of Omaha Board of
Directors, president.
Oppose (Against Helmet Mandate)
Sen. Gwen Howard
(District 9,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
5512 Howard St., Omaha, NE 68106
Office: Room 1208, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2723, E-mail: ghoward@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2004
Committees: Education; Health and Human Services
Biography: Born June 24, 1945, in Douglas County.
Education: Graduate of
Family: Married David Howard (deceased); Children: Carrie and Sarah.
Foster child: Jessica.
Occupation: Social worker and adoption specialist.
Member: Accredited by the National Association of Social Workers;
accredited by the
Voted “NO” on LB70 in 2005
Voted “AGAINST” cloture
Sen. Mike Friend
(District 10,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office: Room 1212, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2718, E-mail: mfriend@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2002
Committees:
Urban Affairs (chairperson); General Affairs; Judiciary
Biography: Born Oct. 4, 1961, in
Education: Graduate of Millard Senior High School, 1980; attended
Kearney State College, 1980-82; graduate of Creighton University (B.A. in
journalism), 1985; attended Creighton University School of Law for one year.
Family: Married Jacqueline K. Williams, July 10, 1992; four children:
Megan, Andrew, Elizabeth and Caroline.
Occupation: Writer/editor, First National Bank of
Member: administrative committee, St. James Catholic Church; Knights of
Columbus.
Voted “YES” on LB70 in
2005
Sen. Ernie Chambers
(District 11,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
3116 N. 24th St., Omaha, NE 68110
Office: Room 1107, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2612
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 1970, 1972, 1976, 1980,
1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004
Committees: Agriculture; Business and Labor; Judiciary;
Executive Board; Reference
Biography: Born July 10, 1937.
Publicly
argued against LB70
Voted “NO” on LB70 in 2005
Voted “AGAINST” cloture
Sen.-elect Steve Lathrop
(District 12,
ABATE
of
Office: Room 1117, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees:
Business and Labor; Judiciary; Urban Affairs; Rules
Biography: Born April 1, 1957, in
Education: Graduate of
Family: Four children: Alison, Rachel, Maureen and Nicole.
Occupation: Attorney.
Favor (For helmet mandate), I have seen the mandatory
helmet law save riders from brain injuries.
Sen. Lowen
Kruse
(District 13,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office:
Room 1021, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone (402) 471-2727, E-mail:
lkruse@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2000, 2004
Committees: Appropriations (vice chairperson)
Biography: Born in Howard County (Boelus),
1929.
Education: Graduate of Boelus High School;
Nebraska Wesleyan University, B.A.; Garrett Seminary, Northwestern University,
master’s degree.
Family: Wife, Ruth; two children: Doug and Jorika.
Occupation: Retired pastor.
Member: Miller-Park-Minne Lusa
Community Association (president); North Omaha Kiwanis (president-elect);
Lions International. Volunteer in construction and housing
rehabilitation in
Former: Executive minister, Omaha First United Methodist Church;
director of ministries, Nebraska United Methodist Churches; superintendent of
churches in northeast Nebraska; pastor in Buffalo, Custer and Douglas
counties; railroad wheelhouse employee; farmer; programming participant for
MADD; consultant for new church development; programming participant for
community development, adult education and youth work. Board of trustees:
Published works:
“DID NOT VOTE” on LB70 in
2005
Sen.-elect Tim Gay
(District 14, Papillion)
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office:
Room 1522, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees: Banking, Commerce and Insurance; Health and Human Services
Biography:
Born July 9, 1964.
Family: Married Tonee Gay; three children:
Matt, Kathryn and Nicholas.
Occupation: Investment advisor.
No
Response
Sen. Ray Janssen
(District 15, Nickerson)
ABATE
of
Home Address:
210 Cedar St., P.O. Box 159, Nickerson, NE 68044
Office: Room 1116, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone (402)
471-2625, E-mail:
rjanssen@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004
Committees: General Affairs (chairperson); Revenue; Urban Affairs;
Building Maintenance
Biography: Born July 5, 1937, in Hooper.
Education: Graduate of
Family: Wife, Nancy; three children: Nick, Michael and Nola.
Occupation: Grocer.
Military service:
Member: Nickerson Volunteer Fire Department; Lions Club; Hooper
Commercial Club; Elkhorn Valley Golf Club (past president).
Former: president, Nickerson Public School board; president, Logan View
Junior-Senior High School board; Nickerson Village Board member.
Voted “YES” on LB70 in
2005
Sen.-elect Kent Rogert
(District 16, Tekamah)
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office:
Room 2011, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees: Business and Labor; Government, Military and Veterans Affairs; Urban Affairs; Intergovernmental Cooperation
Biography:
Born Sept. 15, 1972, in Blair.
Education: Graduate of
Occupation: Farm business consultant.
Former: sales representative.
Member: Tekamah Lodge 31 A.F. and A.M.;
Oppose
(Against helmet mandate)
Sponsor LB253
Sen. L. Patrick Engel
(District 17,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
401 E. 31st St., South Sioux City, NE 68776
Office: Room 2010, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2716, home (402) 494-3266, fax (402) 479-0917, E-mail:
lengel@leg.ne.gov
Appointed to Nebraska Legislature: Sept. 1, 1993, to replace
Kurt Hohenstein, who resigned; elected 1994, 1996,
2000, 2004
Committees: Executive Board (chairperson); Reference
(chairperson); Appropriations; Legislative Peformance
Audit
Biography: Born May 18, 1932, in South Sioux City.
Education: Graduate of South Sioux City Public Schools; University of
Nebraska-Lincoln.
Military service: Served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air
Force.
Family: Wife, Dee; five children: Kathie, Kim, Jeff, Julie and
Michael.
Occupation: Retired insurance agent for State Farm Insurance.
Member: Knights of
Former: grand knight and district deputy, Knights of Columbus;
member, St. Michael's School Board; member, South Sioux City School Board;
Dakota County commissioner.
Voted “NO” on LB70 in 2005
Voted “AGAINST” cloture
Sen. Mick Mines
(District 18, Blair)
ABATE
of
Elected
to Transportation Committee
Home Address:
Office: Room 2028, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2618, fax (402) 479-0918, E-mail: mmines@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2002
Committees:
Banking, Commerce and Insurance (chairperson); Government, Military and
Veterans Affairs
Biography: Born June 21, 1950, in
Education: Graduate of
Family: Married Katie Fate, Jan. 22, 1983; two children: Laini
and Billy.
Military service:
Occupation: Vice President of External Relations, HunTel
Systems Inc.
Member: Nebraska Diplomats, Inc. (former president); Nebraska
Industrial Competitiveness Alliance; Nebraska Independent Telephone
Association (former president); Nebraska Economic Developers Association;
Blair Country Bible Church; Blair Rotary Club; Rebuilding Together –
Washington County; Blair Family YMCA; American Legion Post 154; Jeffrey K.
Mines AMVETS Post 20.
Former: mayor, City of Blair; council member and president, Blair City
Council; president, League of Nebraska Municipalities; president, Blair Area
Chamber of Commerce; Gateway Development Corp.; Ak-Sar-Ben
diplomat; steering committee, National League of Cities Small Cities Council
and Public Safety/Crime Prevention.
Honors and awards: Cargill Dow Friend of Industry Award; Metropolitan
Area Planning Association Citizenship Award.
Co-Sponsored
LB70
Voted “YES” on LB70 in
2005
Co-Sponsor LB253
Sen. Mike Flood
(District 19,
ABATE
of
Elected
Speaker of the House
Address:
105 South 2nd Street, Norfolk, NE 68701
Office: Room 2103, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2929, fax (402) 479-0919, E-mail: mflood@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2004
Committees: Enrollment and Review (chairperson); Banking,
Commerce and Insurance; Judiciary
Biography: Born Feb. 23, 1975, in Omaha.
Education: Graduate of the
Family: Wife, Mandi.
Occupation: Broadcaster/lawyer.
Member: Board member, Lavitsef Inc.;
board member, Norfolk Rotary Club (former president); sponsor, Norfolk Youth
Leadership Council; legal counsel, Madison County Agricultural Society; board
member, Nebraska Broadcasters Association; board member, Norfolk Community
Healthcare Clinic; board member, Madison Community Club; board member,
Nebraska/Madison County Bar Association; admitted to practice, U.S. District
Court – District of Nebraska.
Former member:
Voted “YES” on LB70 in
2005
Sen.-elect Brad Ashford
(District 20,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office: Room 1103, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees: Judiciary (chairperson); Education; Committee on Committees
Biography:
Born Nov. 10, 1949, in
Education: Attended Westside High School; Gustavus
Adolphus College; Colgate University, B.A., 1971;
Creighton University School of Law, J.D., 1974.
Family: Married Ann Ferlic, Aug. 27, 1993;
three children: John, Ellie and Tom.
Occupation: Attorney, businessman.
Former: Omaha Housing Authority (director); Commission of Industrial
Relations (judge); Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority
(founding member); Omaha Housing Authority Board of Directors (chair);
Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Member:
Favor (For helmet mandate)
Sen. Carol Hudkins
(District 21, Malcolm)
ABATE
of
Elected
to Transportation Committee
Home Address:
Office: Room 1406, State Capitol,
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004
Committees: Rules (chairperson); Natural Resources;
Transportation and Telecommunications
Biography: Born Feb. 21, 1945, in North Platte.
Education: Graduate of
Family: Husband, Larry; two children: Janet and Kathy.
Occupation: Farmer and medical transcriptionist.
Former: Malcolm School Board chairwoman; Malcolm United Methodist
Church recording secretary; Lancaster County Home Extension Council and
Lancaster County Extension Board officer; 4-H leader; Malcolm School Booster
Club president; Malcolm Parent-Teacher Organization officer.
Member:
Voted
LB 70 out of Committee
Voted “YES” on LB70 in
2005
Sen. Arnie
Stuthman
(District 22,
ABATE
of
Elected
to Transportation Committee
Home Address:
Office: Room 1120, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2715, fax (402) 479-0922, E-mail: astuthman@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2002
Committees:
Health and Human Services; Transportation and Telecommunications; Executive
Board; Reference;
Biography:
Born June 25, 1941, in
Education: Graduate of
Family: Married Nancy Sanley, June 30,
1962; four children: Jeff, Todd, Amy and Eric.
Military service: Air National Guard.
Occupation: Farmer and livestock feeder.
Member: chairman, Platte County Supervisors; board of directors,
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce; board of directors, Columbus Hospital
Board; Nebraska Workforce Development Board; Region IV Mental Health Board;
East Central Health Department; Nebraska Pork Producers; Christ Lutheran
Church.
Former: chairman, Platte County Ag Society; chairman, County Extension
Board; chairman, 4-H Council; chairman, National Young Farmer; president,
Nebraska Pork Producers; chairman, National Pork Board.
Voted
LB 70 out of Committee
Voted “YES” on LB70 in
2005
Sen. Chris Langemeier
(District 23, Schuyler)
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office:
Room 1202, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees: Banking, Commerce and Insurance; Government, Military and Veterans Affairs; Intergovernmental Cooperation
Biography:
Born in Schuyler.
Education: Graduated from
Family: Wife, Kerri. Children: Jakub and
Aaron.
Occupation: Real estate broker.
Member: Schuyler Chamber of Commerce (president, 2002); Schuyler
Economic Development Committee; Schuyler Chamber Ambassadors; membership
committee, American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers; president,
Schuyler Rotary Club; Schuyler Sertoma Club;
volunteer, Colfax County Recycling Facility; St. Augustine’s Catholic
Church; Knights of Columbus, fourth degree (past community director).
Former member: director at large, Lower Platte North Natural
Resources District (two terms); treasurer, Lower Platte North NRD (past
projects committee chairman); representative of Lower Platte North NRD,
Nebraska Association of Natural Resources Districts; Colfax County 4-H
Council, Colfax County 4-H, 10 years.
Voted “YES” on LB70 in
2005
Co-Sponsor LB253
Sen.-elect Greg L. Adams
(District 24,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office:
Room 1403, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees: Education; Government, Military and Veterans Affairs; Committee on Committees
Biography:
Born Feb. 6, 1952, in
Education: Graduate of Wayne State College, B.A. in education, 1974,
Masters in education, 1975.
Family: Married Julie A. Epke, Oct. 8,
1992; three children: Heather Loveless, Shawn Levitt
and Sarah Adams.
Occupation:
Former:
Member:
Favor (For helmet mandate) Presently, I stand in favor
of helmet usage in
Sen. Ron Raikes
(District 25,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
3221 S. 76th St., Lincoln, NE 68506
Office: Room 1110, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2731, E-Mail: rraikes@leg.ne.gov
Appointed to Nebraska Legislature: May 15, 1997, to replace
Jerome Warner, who died; elected 1998, 2000, 2004
Committees: Education (chairperson); Revenue; Education
Commission of the States; Midwestern Higher Education Compact Commission
Biography: Born March 11, 1943, in Lincoln.
Education: Graduate of
Family: Wife, Helen; three children: Heather, Abbie
and Justin.
Occupation: Farmer.
Member:
Former: member, Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board,
1983-87.
Voted “YES” on LB70 in
2005
Voted “AGAINST” cloture
Sen.-elect Amanda McGill
(District 26,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
Office:
Room 1115, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees: Enrollment and Review (chairperson); Business and Labor; Judiciary; Urban Affairs
Biography:
Born March 21, 1980, in
Education: Graduate of
Occupation: College services representative, New Digital Group.
Former: television reporter at KOLN/KGIN in
Member: Junior League of
No
Response
Sen. DiAnna Schimek
(District 27,
ABATE
of
Elected
to Transportation Committee
Home Address:
6437 Lone Tree Drive, Lincoln, NE 68512
Office: Room 1124, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, phone
(402) 471-2632, fax (402) 479-0927, E-mail: dschimek@leg.ne.gov
Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004
Committees: Government, Military and Veterans' Affairs
(chairperson); Business and Labor; Urban Affairs; Committee on Committees
Biography: Born March 21, 1940, in Holdrege.
Education: Graduate of
Family: Husband, Herbert; two children: Samuel Wolfgang and Saul
William.
Member: Soroptimists; PEO; Southwest
Business and Civic Association; Martin Luther Home Advisory Board; Exon
Library Foundation Board; first vice-chair, Midwest Legislative Conference of
the Council of State Governments; Mortar Board community adviser and honorary
member, 1999; past president and secretary, Lincoln Senior Center Foundation
Board; past member of boards of directors for First Security National Bank,
Women in Community Service Home for Girls, and Nebraska Repertory Theatre;
member, 1990 and 1999 YWCA Tribute to Women Committee; former board member of
NCSL Women's Network; Democratic National Committee, 1976-88.
Honorary member: Delta Kappa Gamma, 1998.
Awards: YWCA Tribute to Women Award, 1992.
Voted “NO” on LB70 in 2005
Voted “AGAINST” cloture
Sen.-elect Bill Avery
(District 28,
ABATE
of
Home Address:
1925 E St.,
Office:
Room 1016, State Capitol,
Elected to
Committees: Education; Government, Military and Veterans Affairs
Biography:
Born Feb. 7, 1942.
Education: Married Ann Harrell.
Occupation: Retired professor.
Former:
Circulation promotions manager, Knoxville News Sentinel,
Member: First Plymouth Congregational Church; American Academy of
Political Science; International Studies Association (International Political
Economy Section); Lincoln Chamber of Commerce; Lincoln Independent Business
Association.
Former member: Lincoln Public Schools Needs Committee; Lincoln Public
Schools Bond Committee; Common Cause Nebraska, chair; Common Cause National
Governing Bo