Primary voters narrowed the field Tuesday in two races for the Nebraska State Board of Education.
Four of the board's eight districts are up for election this year. Two districts had two candidates each, with both advancing to the general election. The other two districts had three candidates, which meant that one will be eliminated.
Incumbents Patsy Koch Johns, Patti Gubbels, Jacquelyn Morrison and Lisa Fricke aren't seeking reelection. Given that the board has wrestled in recent years with several hot-button issues such as banning library books and postponing health education standards, it's possible that the election of four new members will change its political and ideological makeup.
The candidates vying this year for openings on the board include current and former teachers, a nonprofit leader, a documentary filmmaker, a former home health nurse and a retired company administrator.
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In District 1, which covers northwest Lancaster County, Kristin Christensen, a Lincoln teacher, easily defeated Liz Davids, a nonprofit founder, pulling in more than 60% of the vote. However, both women will advance to the general election.
In District 2, which includes Sarpy County and four other counties in Southeast Nebraska, Linda Vermooten, a Republican, was the top vote-getter, with about 45%. Maggie Douglas, a Democrat, came in second with about 35% of the vote. Karen Morgan, another Democrat, came in third and will not advance.
In District 3, which includes much of northeast Nebraska, Lisa Schonhoff, a Bennington teacher, got nearly 60% of the vote, while Bill McAllister, a former Nebraska superintendent, received just over 40%. They will both advance to the general election.
In District 4, located in eastern Douglas County, Democrat Liz Renner won with more than 46% of the vote, followed by registered nonpartisan LeDonna White Griffin. Stacy Matula, a Republican, was a close third.
Renner is a filmmaker from Omaha and has lived in her State Board of Education district for 19 years. She said her first priority as a member on the State Board of Education would be to improve Nebraska’s teacher shortage, but she also wants to focus on mental health access and increasing student reading scores.
Griffin has worked in Omaha for more than 25 years and wants to develop strong readers in Nebraska. She also wants to encourage parent choice when it comes to using private school, home-school or public schools.
Vermooten, who lives in Bellevue, said academic achievement is her main focus, along with increasing civic education in Nebraska districts. She also wants to ensure that the state board is being fiscally responsible.
Douglas, who also lives in Bellevue, has a top priority of helping Nebraska shcool and students by ensuring equitable education and increasing access for all students. She also wants to promote policies that boost teacher retention and increases parent engagement.Â
The remaining members of the state board are Kirk Penner, Elizabeth Tegtmeier, Sherry Jones and Deborah Neary.
The Journal Star's complete coverage of Nebraska's 2024 primary election
Here's the Journal Star's complete coverage of Nebraska's 2024 primary election.
Election results in Nebraska's 2024 primary election have begun rolling in. Follow along for live updates.
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