George Merithew

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

George Merithew

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 10, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Hastings College, 1988

Law

Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, 1995

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Personal

Birthplace

Grand Island, Neb.

Religion

Roman Catholic

Profession

Solo practice attorney at law, lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, civil affairs public safety specialist in the 352nd Civil Affairs Command, and recently retired lieutenant with the Omaha Police Department

Contact

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George Merithew (Republican Party) ran for election for Douglas County Sheriff in Nebraska. He lost in the Republican primary on May 10, 2022.

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

Biography

George Merithew was born in Grand Island, Nebraska. He has experience serving in the U.S. Army. He earned a bachelor's degree from Hastings College in 1988 and a law degree from Creighton University School of Law in 1995. He earned a military citation from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 2011. His career experience includes working as a solo practice attorney at law, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, and a civil affairs public safety specialist in the 352nd Civil Affairs Command. Merithew retired from his position as a lieutenant with the Omaha Police Department.

Elections

2022

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

General election

General election for Douglas County Sheriff

Aaron Hanson defeated Greg Gonzalez in the general election for Douglas County Sheriff on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Aaron Hanson (R)	50.1	94,027
		Greg Gonzalez (D)	49.5	92,934
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	807

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 187,768
= 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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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Douglas County Sheriff

Greg Gonzalez defeated Wayne Hudson in the Democratic primary for Douglas County Sheriff on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Greg Gonzalez	51.7	21,593
	Submit photo	Wayne Hudson	48.3	20,158

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,751
= 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Douglas County Sheriff

Aaron Hanson defeated George Merithew in the Republican primary for Douglas County Sheriff on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Aaron Hanson	79.3	36,473
		George Merithew	19.8	9,089
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	434

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,996
= 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

George Merithew completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Merithew'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 am a retired Lieutenant with the Omaha Police Department and a 37-year active member of the United States Army Reserves, currently serving as a Civil Affairs Lieutenant Colonel. I am a native Nebraskan and a life-long Republican and have lived in Omaha since 1992. I was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, and attended Hastings College where I earned a Bachelors Degree, majoring in Political Science and English. After working a few years and returning from my Army deployment in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1991, I attended Creighton Law School where I earned a Law Degree. Shortly after graduating, I was hired by the Omaha Police Department and graduated from the police academy in 1996. During my 25-year career, I served in almost every bureau of the Omaha Police Department. I have been a member of the Nebraska State Bar for over 25 years and currently have a small private practice. I entered the race for Douglas County Sheriff in order to offer voters a real conservative choice. I stands for law and order and am a staunch supporter of law enforcement but I believe law enforcement serves the members of the community by having ethical and professional law enforcement officers. I am the only genuine conservative choice in this race. I am a true supported of the 2nd Amendment. I have always fought to use public funds in an efficient and cost-saving manner.

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?

• True fiscal conservative.
• Staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment and the right to carry.
• Ethical and transparent leadership.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Law Enforcement Accountability, 2nd Amendment (Right to Carry), Neighborhood Outreach, Community Policing, Youth Services, Law Enforcement Certification/Training, Body Worn Cameras, Fiscal Accountability/Management, Government Oversight, Government Ethics, Budgeting,

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

It's a head law enforcement position running the largest Sheriff's Department in Nebraska. It requires a detailed knowledge of law enforcement and community relations.

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

My father. He raised 10 children on a very low income and provided a strong and loving example for all of us to follow. He was strong, dependable, firm when needed and always loving.

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

Ethics and compassion. Possessing these traits ensures fairness for all.

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

Ethics, Compassion, Tenacity, Fairness, Intelligence, Experience

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

To provide ethical and strong leadership to not only those in your department but the public at large as well.

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

John Wayne's death, 13.

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

Business Manager for Paul Spady Enterprises. 2 1/2 years.

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

Yes. A law enforcement background, while not required, is extremely beneficial in order to understand the duties of those you command.

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 see all sides of issues (something a law degree helps greatly with) and communicate with stakeholders.

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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