Twenty-two legislative races pared down candidates to two Tuesday night.
All but one incumbent appeared to advance and several didn't finish first in their races.
In east Lincoln's District 25, the seat held by Sen. Kathy Campbell who has served two terms, it was a close race between Lincoln attorney Jim Gordon, a Democrat, and Republican Suzanne Geist. Both will advance.
Neither has held public office.
Gordon said late Tuesday he never missed an opportunity during the primary campaign to talk to people in the district, and to listen to their views on important issues such as property taxes, Medicaid expansion and job opportunities. And he will continue that.
Friends, family and a wide circle of volunteers helped take him through the primary, he said.
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"I can't be more thankful for what they've done than I am right now," he said.
Geist, a Republican, said she competed with two attorneys -- Gordon and David Tagart -- and two doctors -- Les Spry and Dale Michels -- all with name recognition. She is self-employed in sales and had little name recognition, she said. So she set out to introduce herself to the district, knocking on 10,000 doors.
"I have to say I am as overwhelmed and surprised as anyone else," she said of her finish.
In west Lincoln's District 27, Anna Wishart, a Democrat, led Republican Dick Clark, an attorney, by a wide margin. Wishart is a policy consultant for Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.
Both will advance.
Wishart said the campaign really opened her eyes to challenges the people in her district face.
“I feel like I’ve made a lot of friends and some really great relationships with people across District 27,†Wishart said.
Attorney Mike Hilgers, a Republican, and attorney Larry Scherer, a Democrat, advanced in District 21.
“This is just one step,†Hilgers said. “It’s an important step, but it’s not the final step. To be able to make a difference in people’s lives in the district I’ve got to win in November.â€
Both candidates in District 29 -- incumbent Kate Bolz and challenger Melody Vaccaro -- both Democrats, will advance to the general election.
In other races statewide, Sen. Nicole Fox, who was appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts when South Omaha and Downtown District 7 Sen. Jeremy Nordquist left the Legislature a year early, had to battle it out with John Synowiecki, a former member of the Legislature. It appeared Synowiecki and Tony Vargas will advance.
District 7 has a large Democratic population, with twice as many registered over Republicans. The legislative seat is Fox's first public office.
Sen. Ernie Chambers from Omaha's District 11, the longest-serving state senator, was a strong leader in the three-person race all night, with 74 percent of the vote, despite saying he doesn't campaign or take donations. He'll face John Sciara in the general election.
Sen. David Schnoor of Scribner, appointed by Gov. Dave Heineman, advanced to the general.
Al Davis of Hyannis, Republican incumbent in District 43, also advanced but came in second to Tom Brewer.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LJSLegislature.
Legislature District 21 primary
Two candidates advance to the general election in November.
Legislature, District 21 | Votes | Advancing |
---|---|---|
Mike Hilgers | 3,033 | X |
Larry Scherer | 1,913 | X |
Rick Vest | 726 | |
197197 precincts |
Legislature District 25 primary
Two candidates advance to the general election in November.
Legislature, District 25 | Votes | Advancing |
---|---|---|
Suzanne Geist | 3,980 | X |
Jim Gordon | 3,562 | X |
Dale Michels | 1,435 | |
Leslie Spry | 1,686 | |
David Tagart | 350 | |
197/197 precincts |
Legislature District 27 primary
Two candidates advance to the general election in November.
Legislature, District 27 | Votes | Advancing |
---|---|---|
Deb Andrews | 418 | |
Dick Clark | 1,606 | x |
Anna Wishart | 3,307 | x |
197/197 precincts |
Legislature District 29 primary
Two candidates advance to the general election in November.
Legislature, District 29 | Votes | Advancing |
---|---|---|
Kate Bolz | 6,210 | X |
Melody Vaccaro | 1,281 | X |
197/197 precincts |