Brenda Council
| Brenda Council | |
 | |
| Nebraska State Senate District 11 | |
| Former member | |
| In office | |
| 2009 - 2013 | |
| Party | Non-partisan |
| Compensation | |
| Base salary | $12,000/year |
| Per diem | $109/day for those living 50+ miles from capitol, otherwise $39/day |
| Elections and appointments | |
| Last election | November 6, 2012 |
| First elected | November 4, 2008 |
| Term limits | 2 terms (8 years) |
| Prior offices | |
| President, Omaha Board of Education | |
| 1989 - 1993 | |
| Education | |
| Bachelor's | University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1974 |
| J.D. | Creighton University, 1977 |
| Personal | |
| Birthday | 1955 |
| Place of birth | Omaha, NE |
| Profession | Attorney |
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Contents |
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Council's career prior to her election was primarily focused on education, serving on the Nebraska Board of Education, and with various education advocacy groups. [1]
Council earned her bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1974, and her Juris Doctor from Creighton University in 1977.
Council is a lawyer by trade. She previously served as Judge on the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations from 2001-2005, was an Attorney with Polk, Waldman, Wickman and Council in 2002, and a Partner with Kutak Rock from 1998-2002.
Council was a candidate for Mayor of Omaha in 1994 and 1997, and served as 2nd District Representative/President on the Omaha Board of Education from 1982-1993.
Council has a history of involvement with a number of organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Omaha, Charles Drew health Center Foundation, Latino Center of the Midlands, Omaha Chamber of Commerce's Minority Economic Development Council, Executive Committee of the North Omaha Development Project, and the Bar of the United States District Court of Colorado/Wisconsin, Court of Appeals 5th/7th/8th/9th/10th Circuits, United States Supreme Court.
Council has served on one non-legislative committee, the National Caucus of Black School Board Members.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Council served on these committees:
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Council served on these committees:
Elections
2012
- See also: Nebraska State Senate elections, 2012
Council ran for election in the 2012 election for Nebraska State Senate District 11. Council was unopposed in the May 15 primary election and was defeated by Ernie Chambers in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.[2][3]
| Nebraska State Senate, District 11, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan |  Ernie Chambers |
66.9% | 6,734 | |
| Nonpartisan | Brenda Council Incumbent | 33.1% | 3,326 | |
| Total Votes | 10,060 | |||
Controversy
Council pleads guilty to state charges
In September 2012, Council pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges stemming from campaign finance reports that prosecutors said did not reveal her use of over $60,000 in donations at casinos. She was ordered to pay a $500 fine with court costs. Council planned to continue her re-election bid, saying she was being treated for a gambling addiction.[4]
Chambers files federal complaint against Council
In October 2012, Council's opponent Ernie Chambers filed a federal complaint against her, alleging that she violated federal law in using campaign funds for gambling, as well as in filing false campaign reports. He called Council an "embarrassment to the community," and said, "I can say truthfully I am not a crook." Council responded by saying the issue had been settled, and that discussion of issues in the senate race was being neglected.[5]
2008
On November 4, 2008, Council won election to the 9th District Seat in the Nebraska Senate, defeating Dennis Womack.[6]
| Nebraska State Senate, District 9 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Brenda Council
|
9,234 | |||
| Dennis Womack | 1,725 | |||
Campaign donors
2008
In 2008, Council collected $50,692 in donations.[7]
Her five largest contributors in 2008 were:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nebraska State Education Association | $3,500 |
| Nebraska PAC | $2,000 |
| Union Pacific Railroad | $2,000 |
| Nebraska Realtors Association | $2,000 |
| Nebraska Bankers Association | $2,000 |
Personal
Council and her husband, Otha, have two children.
Recent news
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Brenda Council News Feed
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External links
- Brenda Council's official Nebraska State legislature website
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2012, 2010, 2008
- Brenda Council on Facebook
References
- ↑ Official unicameral bio
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State - 2012 Candidate List for the Primary Election
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "Official Report of The Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska - Primary Election, May 15, 2012," accessed 29 June 2012
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Nebraska senator pleads guilty to two misdemeanors," September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- ↑ Associated Press, "Council fires back at Chambers in state senate race," October 15, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State - 2008 General Election Results
- ↑ 2008 contributions to Brenda Council
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ernie Chambers |
Nebraska State Senate District 11 2009–2013 |
Succeeded by Ernie Chambers |
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