Lindstrom promises to fight mandates

    Brett Lindstrom, one of seven Republican candidates for Nebraska Governor, spent more than an hour in Imperial Saturday on a campaign swing through the area.
    While here, he also enjoyed an ice cream cone at Sweden Creme, which hosted his “Meet and Greet.”
    About a dozen people met with Lindstrom in the question and answer session which touched on Washington mandates, representation and building coalitions.
    Area residents were also informed of Lindstrom’s pick for his lieutenant governor running mate—Dave Rippe of Hastings, a former director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
    Rippe’s selection as his running mate was announced Feb. 10.
    Lindstrom touted his legislative experience, as he completes his eighth year as a state senator representing Omaha’s District 18.
    He is the youngest in the race and has a “next generation of leadership” theme in his campaign.
    He said experience will be important in building coalitions as Governor.
    “If we are talking growing our population and getting things done, I’ll be able to hit the ground running,” he said.
    Finding out what is important to individuals is vital in working together with his fellow senators now, he said.
    “With some senators, we are worlds apart (on issues), but they are not my enemies,” he said.
    He said his relationships and talking one-on-one with other legislators has been successful in getting things done, “versus being vocal on the floor.”
    Lindstrom said Gov. Pete Ricketts has done a great job fighting Washington and its mandates. He mentioned a bill proposed this session, LB 906, which addresses vaccine exemptions.
    Lindstrom is a co-signer to LB 906, introduced by Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair. It is currently on Final Reading.
    He said Nebraska had nothing in statute when the federal mandates came down during COVID-19.
    Roger Harmon told Lindstrom residents in western Nebraska often feel isolated and disconnected from state officials. He suggested quarterly visits by a future Governor.
    “It’s critical we have follow-through and not just lip service,” he said.
    Lindstrom said that’s important to him, too.
    “We won’t grow the state unless we are engaged in all communities in the state,” he said.
    Before his stop in Imperial, Lindstrom and his staff held a “Meet and Greet” in Ogallala, then traveled to Benkelman.