Bob Lausten

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Bob Lausten

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 10, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Sam Houston State University, 1983

Graduate

St. John's University, 1995

Personal

Birthplace

Omaha, Neb.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Chief of Police

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Bob Lausten ran for election to the Metropolitan Utilities District Board of Directors to represent Subdivision 7 in Nebraska. He lost in the primary on May 10, 2022.

Lausten completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Bob Lausten was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Lausten earned a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University in 1983 and a graduate degree from St. John's University in 1995. His career experience includes working as the chief of police of La Vista, Nebraska. Lausten is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 252, the Northwestern University School of Staff & Command Session 111, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Academy Class 225, and the University of Virginia Cooper Center for Public Service. He has been affiliated with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Omaha Police Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, and PACE Omaha.

Elections

2022

See also: Municipal elections in Douglas County, Nebraska (2022)

General election

General election for Metropolitan Utilities District Board of Directors Subdivision 7

Bob Sidzyik defeated Scott Murray in the general election for Metropolitan Utilities District Board of Directors Subdivision 7 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Bob Sidzyik (Nonpartisan)	53.0	12,280
		Scott Murray (Nonpartisan)	46.2	10,723
		Other/Write-in votes	0.8	188

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 23,191
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Metropolitan Utilities District Board of Directors Subdivision 7

Bob Sidzyik and Scott Murray defeated Bob Lausten and Ronald Wanek in the primary for Metropolitan Utilities District Board of Directors Subdivision 7 on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Bob Sidzyik (Nonpartisan)	29.6	3,095
✔		Scott Murray (Nonpartisan)	25.9	2,708
		Bob Lausten (Nonpartisan)	24.1	2,523
	Submit photo	Ronald Wanek (Nonpartisan)	20.5	2,145

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,471
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Bob Lausten completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lausten's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm campaigning for the Subdivision 7 seat (Sarpy County east of I-80) on the Metropolitan Utilities District Board of Directors (MUD). I’ve been serving my community my entire adult life. As a law enforcement officer in Sarpy County, the career field has given me the opportunity to meet and connect with all members of our community—from children and students while teaching the D.A.R.E. program to countless individuals, families, neighbors, business owners, other community leaders and more… and I can’t forget about all the other old guys in my senior softball league. (Go Silver Bullets!) For decades, I’ve been part of a strong level of inter-agency cooperation in Sarpy County. I have been on the front lines of improving policing professionalism in Nebraska and have served in advisory roles locally and statewide. I worked my way up the ladder and have been the leader of the La Vista Police Department since 2002. I’m fortunate to have surrounded myself with high-quality men and women who work together to protect and serve our community. And I cannot thank them enough for what they do for all of us. I’m a quality leader who values common sense.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• We need to ensure MUD continues to deliver affordable and dependable water and gas to its customers. The delivery of clean water and safe gas transmission is of the utmost importance.
• We need competent managers and employees who have an understanding of the complexities involved in the delivery of gas and water to the public. We need to ensure that ongoing staff training meets the demands of a changing field.
• As we saw in 2021, a natural gas crisis can occur at a moment’s notice. We need to make sure MUD continues to be forward-thinking and progressive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a publicly owned utility company, I want to ensure importance is placed on the customers. I’d like to see MUD focus on water infrastructure replacement within an affordable rate structure. The number of water main breaks in the aging system seem to have increased in recent years. I’d like to see a realistic goal to replace more cast iron water mains annually, and to improve service reliability.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.), headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is a public utility and proud to be customer-owned.

Mission: To provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective natural gas and water services to our community.

Vision: To maintain our commitment to serve our community, while striving to become one of the nation's top utilities.

Core Values: Safety, Reliability, Fiscal Responsibility and Organizational Excellence.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My late father was a Marine in World War II and an Omaha police officer for 33 years. I grew up wanting to belike him, especially the law enforcement piece. He set a great example growing up and made a good life for our family.
I've always liked Bobby Kennedy's "Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not."

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Colin Powell's "18 Leadership Principles"

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The ability to listen to people and know it's not about you.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm an honest guy who values common sense. I'm a good communicator and listener. I've been in numerous situations where decisions had to be made immediately as well as planned out.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Honesty, integrity, common sense, public service.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my kids, grandkids, friends and community members to remember me as a person who cared.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The space program and in particular the Apollo 11 landing on the moon. I was 6

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first "job" was at the Miller Park YMCA when I was 13. I ran the clock and kept score at men's league basketball games on Sundays. I did this for about a year then at 14 refereed youth games.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Hollywood Moon by Joseph Wambaugh. I worked in that area of Los Angeles and the book brings up memories

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Underdog

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Take it Easy (Eagles)

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Dealing with negativity

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

No

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I think elected Directors should have experience in making decisions. You don't have to be an industry expert to provide oversight and common sense.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The ability to communicate, have an open mind, understand all sides of an issue, and be able to ask questions. When you represent customers, have a stake in what's happening. Be able to communicate thoughts in a respectful manner.

Tell us your favorite joke.

What did the buffalo say when his son left? Bison

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Metropolitan Utilities District Board of Directors Subdivision 7

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