Tim Pendrell
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Tim Pendrell ran for election to the Nebraska State Senate to represent District 7. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Pendrell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Tim Pendrell was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He earned a high school diploma from Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2007, and a graduate degree from New York University in 2011. His career experience includes working as a policy advisor. Pendrell served with AmeriCorps VISTA.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Nebraska State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Nebraska State Senate District 7
Dunixi Guereca defeated Tim Pendrell in the general election for Nebraska State Senate District 7 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Dunixi Guereca (Nonpartisan) | 57.7 | 4,497 |
 | Tim Pendrell (Nonpartisan)  | 42.3 | 3,296 | |
| Total votes: 7,793 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Nebraska State Senate District 7
Dunixi Guereca and Tim Pendrell defeated Ben Salazar and Christopher Geary in the primary for Nebraska State Senate District 7 on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dunixi Guereca (Nonpartisan) | 34.0 | 758 |
| ✔ | | Tim Pendrell (Nonpartisan) | 24.6 | 548 |
| Ben Salazar (Nonpartisan) | 22.4 | 499 | ||
 | Christopher Geary (Nonpartisan) | 19.1 | 425 | |
| Total votes: 2,230 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Pendrell in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tim Pendrell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Pendrell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a proud resident of South Omaha. My journey began like many in our community—with humble beginnings and a strong neighborhood connection. My first job was at the Henry Doorly Zoo in 8th grade. Like my mother, who worked as a waitress at Leisure Lanes Cafe, I've always valued hard work and community engagement.
In high school, I joined community projects like the graffiti wipeout initiative, while at Gross Catholic High School, working with neighbors to restore South Omaha's beauty. During the 2008 housing crisis, I served with AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, focusing on building capacity and sustainable neighborhoods, strengthening my commitment to community revitalization.
My global experiences living overseas have given me unique insights into applying creative solutions to local challenges like housing, education, and economic development. With a Master’s degree in Urban Planning focused on Economic Development and Housing Policy and five years of legislative experience, I'm equipped to address our community's pressing issues from day one.
I'm deeply committed to making Legislative District 7 better for all. My vision combines strong local roots with global perspectives to tackle our biggest challenges. I'm passionate about job creation, workforce development, public safety, and education. Together, we can build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous community.- Job Creation My plan for job creation centers on securing significant investments in our district to stimulate economic growth. By channeling funds into arts, cultural institutions, and building an innovation ecosystem, we can create thousands of high-paying jobs. Additionally, I'll support small businesses through tax incentives and initiatives like culinary incubators to help food-based startups, ensuring they remain the backbone of South Omaha's economy.
- Workforce Development To build a resilient and future-ready workforce, I will expand skills training and vocational programs accessible to all residents. With $20 million already allocated to Metropolitan Community College, we'll equip people with the expertise needed for high-demand industries such as technology and healthcare. I'll promote inclusive growth by supporting training programs that address the needs of underrepresented communities, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
- Education Education is the foundation of our future, so I will champion equitable school funding to provide quality education for all students. By expanding vocational and technical education programs in our schools, we'll prepare students with practical skills that meet the demands of the modern workforce. Additionally, I'll advocate for programs that bridge the gap between education and employment, such as partnerships between schools and local industries, to facilitate seamless transitions from classrooms to careers.
I am personally passionate about public policies that promote economic growth and expand opportunities for everyone in our community. While economic development is crucial, I believe we must also address the mental health crisis in Nebraska, particularly in Douglas County—the largest provider of mental health services in the state. The lack of adequate access to mental health support is a growing problem that isn't keeping pace with our community's needs. This gap contributes to public safety issues and our increasing homeless population. By focusing on preventive measures and comprehensive mental health support, we can help at-risk youth, reduce crime rates, and strengthen our community as a whole.
I look up to a number of people, but politically the person who got me involved was the late-Anne Boyle who was the Democratic Party Chair of Nebraska when I first got involved in local issues as a high school student. She led with confidence and grace and always thought before she spoke...which I sometimes struggle with.
"Whisper of the Heart", by Studio Ghibli,. reflects my political philosophy by emphasizing that everyone has untapped potential and, with the right support and opportunities, can achieve great things. The film underscores the power of individual potential when coupled with opportunity and encouragement, highlighting the role of a supportive community in helping each person reach their fullest potential. This aligns with my vision of building a stronger, more resilient society where everyone has the chance to thrive. And basically, I just want people to watch Ghibli films.
I believe that the most important characteristics for an elected official are honesty and experience.
Honesty is essential because it builds trust between an official and the community they serve. I promise to work hard for the community and to put my neighbors' interests above my own in the Legislature.
Experience equips an elected official with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex policy issues and governmental processes. While I have not previously held elected office, I bring five years of legislative experience working within government, along with a Master’s degree in Urban Planning focused on Economic Development and Housing Policy. My hands-on work during the 2008 housing crisis with AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha strengthened my commitment to community revitalization and provided me with practical solutions to real-world problems.
I am not just an honest and experienced candidate—I have a comprehensive plan to address our community's challenges:
My knowledge and experience as well as my ability to help others navigate the state's budget process.
First and foremost, effective legislative action is essential. Crafting, reviewing, and enacting laws that address the needs and concerns of our constituents require a deep understanding of policy issues, collaboration with colleagues, and foresight to anticipate the long-term impacts of legislation.
Fiscal responsibility and budget management are paramount. Since 2019, I've worked on significant budget issues, focusing on building a more efficient budget. Achieving Nebraska's largest tax reductions while making historic investments wasn't easy—it required meticulous planning and a comprehensive understanding of fiscal policies.
I want to leave a legacy of putting the state on a path to long-term economic sustainability. I’m confident that I can tackle complex issues like school finance and property taxes because I’ve been following the legislature closely for over half my life and understand where past attempts have failed. I’ve seen the same mistakes repeated over and over, and I believe I have the knowledge and experience to break that cycle and create lasting solutions that benefit future generations.
Space Shuttle Challenger explosion and I would have been about to turn 5.
Henry Doorly Zoo in 8th grade.
I’m not sure—either *Where I’m Calling From* by Raymond Carver or *The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy* by Douglas Adams. They’re clearly very different, but both are favorites.
Clearly Han Solo right?
Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us"...for almost 4 months now.
A struggle for me has been dealing with exhaustion and anxiety. I’ve always been moving fast, taking on new challenges and building on each experience, but it can catch up with me. Sometimes, I have to remind myself to slow down, take a breath, and recognize that pushing too hard can lead to burnout. Finding that balance is an ongoing challenge, much like the length of this survey.
The ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature should be collaborative, with both branches working together to develop policies that actually get the job done. While it’s easy to joke about governors being “seen and not heard,” the truth is, good governance requires active input and engagement from everyone involved—including state employees who will actually implement these laws.
Right now, too many policies are crafted without enough input from the people who have to carry them out, which can create confusion and implementation issues. I believe state employees should have a more direct line to the legislature to share ideas and suggest fixes. Passing a law is just one step—the real challenge is making sure it’s written in a way that’s clear and actionable, so it achieves its intended purpose. That’s why the governor’s office, the legislature, and the teams on the ground should be communicating year-round, even when we’re not in session, to make sure policies are practical, effective, and understood by everyone involved. It’s about building a partnership that ensures laws don’t just look good on paper, but actually work for the people.
Right now, too many policies are crafted without enough input from the people who have to carry them out, which can create confusion and implementation issues. I believe state employees should have a more direct line to the legislature to share ideas and suggest fixes. Passing a law is just one step—the real challenge is making sure it’s written in a way that’s clear and actionable, so it achieves its intended purpose. That’s why the governor’s office, the legislature, and the teams on the ground should be communicating year-round, even when we’re not in session, to make sure policies are practical, effective, and understood by everyone involved. It’s about building a partnership that ensures laws don’t just look good on paper, but actually work for the people.
Our state’s greatest challenges over the next decade will be population loss and water sustainability. Nebraska’s number one export right now is its people, and that’s a problem. We need to focus on maintaining and growing our population to replace our retiring workforce and stabilize our communities. This means creating opportunities that attract and retain young professionals and families, so we can build a stronger, more vibrant state.
The second major challenge is water quality and sustainability. We need to be proactive in managing our water resources to become more drought-resistant while also preparing for the extreme weather events we’re seeing more frequently. That means finding ways to store and manage excess water during heavy rainfall and ensuring we have sustainable strategies in place to support our agricultural economy and the health of our communities for the long term. Addressing these two issues is critical if we want Nebraska to thrive in the coming years.
The second major challenge is water quality and sustainability. We need to be proactive in managing our water resources to become more drought-resistant while also preparing for the extreme weather events we’re seeing more frequently. That means finding ways to store and manage excess water during heavy rainfall and ensuring we have sustainable strategies in place to support our agricultural economy and the health of our communities for the long term. Addressing these two issues is critical if we want Nebraska to thrive in the coming years.
Yes, I believe it’s very beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics. Understanding how Nebraska's budget works compared to a business or nonprofit is crucial. Legislators only have 40 days to introduce bills over a four-year term, since new legislation can only be introduced in the first ten days of each session. That’s just 40 days total to get your ideas on the table. Knowing how to navigate the budget process and the legislative calendar is key to making the most of that limited time and making an impact for your constituents.
Yes, building relationships with other legislators is essential—that’s the whole thing. The Nebraska Legislature is similar to middle school: it’s one of the few times in life that 49 people who wouldn’t normally interact are stuck in the same room, sometimes for 12+ hours a day, week after week. Major accomplishments, like the Omaha Recovery Act, which brought over half a billion dollars to North and South Omaha, required rural senators—who live over six hours away—to care about Omaha’s poverty as much as urban senators care about rural poverty. In a state where we don’t caucus by party and every bill gets a hearing and debate, building trust and working hard to impact communities statewide is the only way to be an effective senator.
I would model myself after two particular legislators. Former Appropriations Chair Senator Stinner is one, as he was one of the few who really saw the long-term budget implications the same way I do. He understood how to look beyond short-term fixes and plan for the future. I also work for Senator Mike McDonnell, who’s been both a fire union president and a fire chief. Having been on both sides of the negotiating table, he has a unique ability to bridge divides and bring opposing forces together. Seeing how both of them operated and learning from their approaches has influenced my own style.
No. I absolutely do not see myself running for higher offices like Congress or governor in the future. I admire people who have that kind of ambition, but I’m too introverted to stomach a campaign of that size. The Legislature is a small, community-focused district—it’s about my neighbors and working directly for them. It takes a completely different mindset to want to run for those larger offices, and it’s not where I see myself making an impact.
The stories I’ve heard about the struggles faced by many refugees and asylum seekers living in my district. Nebraska has the highest number of refugees per capita in the country, and many of them call downtown and South Omaha home. I’ve spoken with families whose children face bullying in schools because of their backgrounds, and their stories of isolation are heartbreaking. What has stayed with me most is the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Omaha is home to Indigenous people from all over the world, including over 170 nations native to America. The stories of homelessness, mental health struggles, trauma, and human trafficking are haunting and show just how deeply these issues impact our community. They remind me every day why it’s so important to build more support and resources for those who are often overlooked. These are personal stories, and they deserve a meaningful response.
There is a river in Nebraska called the Republican River. Former legendary Governor Frank Morrison used to say, "Why did they call it the Republican River? Then he'd yell out: "Because of the crooked banks!" As far as dumb jokes about political parties go, I always found that one funny, especially coming from a man who was well into his 90s when he said it.
The legislature absolutely has a role in overseeing and setting the limitations for emergency powers. Because the Nebraska Legislature only meets for 90 days one year and 60 days the next, it’s essential that the Governor’s Office and local governments have the flexibility to respond quickly in a state of emergency. However, the scope and limits of those powers are determined by the legislature, and it’s the legislature’s responsibility to act as a critical check to ensure those powers aren’t abused. Maintaining this balance is key to effective governance while protecting citizens' rights and upholding accountability.
The last legislature set a new rule limiting senators to 20 bills, I plan to introduce all 20 bills, plus hundreds of line-item budget amendments, to show that I won’t let an arbitrary limit restrict my ability to make meaningful changes! Some key priorities include correcting Nebraska’s status as the only state that denies unemployment benefits to work-authorized employees like DACA and TPS residents, even though they pay into the system. I’m also focused on making sure Nebraska meets its local match for AmeriCorps and elevating Serve Nebraska to the same status as our other commissions so we can expand volunteerism and mentorship opportunities statewide. Another issue I’m already committed to: supporting youth who are setting fires due to past trauma.
I’m most interested in serving on the **Appropriations Committee** because of my background and experience working on state budgets. I have a strong understanding of the budget process, and I know how critical it is to ensure every dollar is used effectively to benefit our communities. I’d also be interested in the **Natural Resources Committee**, given the importance of balancing economic development with environmental sustainability, or the **Business and Labor Committee**, where I could focus on policies that support job growth, protect workers, and strengthen our local economy. These areas align with my commitment to building a stronger Nebraska through smart investments and effective policy.
For me, financial transparency and government accountability aren’t just buzzwords—they’re part of my day-to-day work. I track agency funds every month to make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent the way they’re supposed to, and I keep a close eye on spending to spot potential issues or opportunities for cost savings. I literally crawl through thousands of pages of documents on a regular basis because someone has to make sure our policies are actually being followed and our money is being used efficiently.
It’s about more than just showing where the money goes; it’s about making sure state policy is being carried out as intended and letting people know how decisions are made. Being transparent builds trust between the government and the community, and that trust is what makes good governance possible. Accountability means being honest, accessible, and always working in the best interests of the people we serve.
It’s about more than just showing where the money goes; it’s about making sure state policy is being carried out as intended and letting people know how decisions are made. Being transparent builds trust between the government and the community, and that trust is what makes good governance possible. Accountability means being honest, accessible, and always working in the best interests of the people we serve.
I support our current ballot initiative process.
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2024
Current members of the Nebraska State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:John Arch
Senators
District 1
Robert Hallstrom (R)
District 2
Robert Clements (R)
District 3
Victor Rountree (N)
District 4
R. von Gillern (R)
District 5
Margo Juarez (D)
District 6
District 7
Dunixi Guereca (D)
District 8
Megan Hunt (N)
District 9
John Cavanaugh (D)
District 10
Wendy DeBoer (D)
District 11
Terrell McKinney (D)
District 12
Merv Riepe (R)
District 13
Ashlei Spivey (D)
District 14
John Arch (R)
District 15
Dave Wordekemper (R)
District 16
Ben Hansen (R)
District 17
Glen Meyer (R)
District 18
District 19
Rob Dover (R)
District 20
John Fredrickson (D)
District 21
Beau Ballard (R)
District 22
Mike Moser (R)
District 23
Jared Storm (R)
District 24
Jana Hughes (R)
District 25
Carolyn Bosn (R)
District 26
George Dungan (D)
District 27
Jason Prokop (D)
District 28
Jane Raybould (D)
District 29
Eliot Bostar (D)
District 30
Myron Dorn (R)
District 31
Kathleen Kauth (R)
District 32
Tom Brandt (R)
District 33
Dan Lonowski (R)
District 34
Loren Lippincott (R)
District 35
Dan Quick (D)
District 36
Rick Holdcroft (R)
District 37
Stanley Clouse (R)
District 38
Dave Murman (R)
District 39
Tony Sorrentino (R)
District 40
Barry DeKay (R)
District 41
Daniel McKeon (R)
District 42
Michael Jacobson (R)
District 43
Tanya Storer (R)
District 44
Teresa Ibach (R)
District 45
Rita Sanders (R)
District 46
Danielle Conrad (D)
District 47
Paul Strommen (R)
District 48
Brian Hardin (R)
District 49
Bob Andersen (R)
Republican Party (33)
Democratic Party (14)
Nonpartisan (2)
