Nebraska State Senate District 16 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Nebraska, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Nebraska State Senate District 16 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Nebraska State Senate District 16

Incumbent Ben Hansen defeated Connie Petersen in the general election for Nebraska State Senate District 16 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ben Hansen (Nonpartisan)	70.3	9,744
		Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)	29.7	4,123

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,867
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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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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?

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

ADDRESS RURAL HEALTH NEEDS: The health and safety of our citizens needs to be of highest priority in order for us to be a sustainable state. We need to support our workers in public safety, healthcare, and human services. In the rural settings, the needs are plentiful and the resources are scarce. We need improved services and access to care. We need creative plans to address the workforce shortage in our hospitals, our small clinics, our nursing homes, our volunteer fire and rescue departments, and our behavioral health and addiction treatment programs. We need young professionals with passion in various health professions, sites to train them, and then to retain them here in Nebraska and preferably in our rural areas.

REDUCE TAX BURDEN: We all can agree we need to live within our means and decrease overspending in order to promote a stable economy. I would expect the same of our government. Nebraska is seen as a “high tax state.” A black mark if we want to see economic growth and prosperity in our state. High tax rates reduce economic growth and create outbound migration to lower-tax states. This must change. We need to move in line on a number of levels with our northern neighbor, South Dakota. Their tax system makes sense and supports a prosperous state.

ENHANCE YOUTH LEADERSHIP, FARMING AND AGRICULTURE: Growing up, our family was involved in 4-H, agriculture and raising animals I continue this passion on my own farm and with my own children. We are actively involved in 4-H. I have a desire to develop youth leadership skills. After all, they are the future of agriculture and farming. We must be good stewards of our land, support our farmers and agriculture. Much of the land in Nebraska is passed down from generation to generation, is very fertile, and can allow for a prosperous state for agriculture. We must support our economy by "Buying Local" to continue to sustain our small towns. We need strong telecommunication capabilities to improve efficiency and services.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

Second Amendment Rights, Constitutional Rights, Drug Policy, Criminal Justice Reform, Taxes, Parental involvement in Education, Health Services

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

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

I have always looked up to Connie Barnes, previous Executive Director for Behavioral Health Specialists. Connie was a strong supporter of behavioral health and addiction services across rural Nebraska. She spoke up about the needs within our rural areas and was a strong voice for those who otherwise did not feel their voices were heard. Connie was actively involved in Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations and offered a breath of knowledge about providing comprehensive behavioral health and addiction services.

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

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

Integrity, Openness, Dependability, and Valuing Differences

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

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

Integrity, Openness, Dependability, and Valuing Differences

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

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

To represent the values and beliefs of their constituents.

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

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

Am I the Only One by Aaron Lewis

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

State representatives are responsible for being the voice of the constituents of their district. The constituents communicate their values, thoughts, and beliefs to the representative, and the representative has a responsibility to represent their district's values, thoughts, and beliefs. As a result of this relationship and communication strategy, the governor is able to understand the values, thoughts, and beliefs across the state of Nebraska in order to make a final decision about laws.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

Based on watching a number of debates over this last legislative session, it appears a number of representatives have a personal agenda and may not be representing the total values, thoughts, and beliefs of their district. The heightened emotional reactions of some representatives in open session does not represent the state of Nebraska very well. It appears additional conversations are necessary prior to debate to allow for a more unified unicameral.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

I do not believe state legislators need to have previous experience in government or politics in order to be an effective and efficient representative of their district. In fact, being able to be more similar to the constituents of their district may allow for more open lines of communication and better representation.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

It is incredibly beneficial to build healthy relationships with as many legislators as possible in order for their to be a unified voice in the unicameral.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Connie Petersen (Nonpartisan)

DHHS Committee would be a preferred committee.

See also

More about these elections:

• Nebraska State Senate elections, 2022

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