ALBION — Northeast Nebraska’s 41st legislative district already has a candidate for the 2016 elections.
Tom Briese, a Boone County farmer and attorney, announced his candidacy Monday.
“I am pleased to announce my bid to represent the citizens of District 41 in the Nebraska Legislature,” said Briese. “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to run the family farm and raise my family here and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the area by strengthening rural Nebraska.”
The district is currently represented by Sen. Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids, who has been the focus of some dissatisfaction among constituents for her recent vote to repeal the death penalty. She is not eligible to run for re-election in 2016.
“It’s important to realize our future in Nebraska, and rural Nebraska in particular, hinges on our ability to grow our economy, grow our population, and create opportunity for our children and grandchildren to live, work, and raise their families here,” Briese said.
If elected Briese said he will focus on lowering taxes to make Nebraska more competitive, increasing educational opportunity, and rural economic development.
He is a fourth-generation Boone County farmer with degrees in ag economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law. Among other things, he has served on the Boone Central school board for six years and serves on the Boone County Philanthropy Council. He and his wife, Joan, have two children.