William Elfgren

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William Elfgren

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 12, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Lexington, Neb.

Religion

Christian

Contact

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

William Elfgren (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on May 12, 2020.

Elfgren completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

William Elfgren was born in Lexington, Nebraska.

Elections

2020

See also: Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District election, 2020

Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District election, 2020 (May 12 Republican primary)

Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District election, 2020 (May 12 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Nebraska District 3

Incumbent Adrian Smith defeated Mark Elworth Jr. and Dustin Hobbs in the general election for U.S. House Nebraska District 3 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Adrian Smith (R)	78.5	225,157
		Mark Elworth Jr. (D)	17.7	50,690
	Submit photo	Dustin Hobbs (L)	3.8	10,923

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 286,770
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 3

Mark Elworth Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 3 on May 12, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Elworth Jr.	100.0	26,776

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,776
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• David J. Else (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 3

Incumbent Adrian Smith defeated Arron Kowalski, Justin Moran, William Elfgren, and Larry Bolinger in the Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 3 on May 12, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Adrian Smith	82.6	96,260
	Submit photo	Arron Kowalski	5.5	6,424
		Justin Moran	5.5	6,374
		William Elfgren	3.5	4,063
		Larry Bolinger	2.9	3,389

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 116,510
= 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.

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 3

Dustin Hobbs advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 3 on May 12, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Dustin Hobbs	100.0	561

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 561
= 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

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

William Elfgren completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Elfgren'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 the Son of Nebraska's Last Pioneers who traveled from Connecticut to Nebraska by Covered Wagon in 1956. My Grandfather not only wanted to teach his 6 children the historic value of the original settlers, more importantly he fled the "Hurray for me to hell with you mentality" of the east coast elites in order to raise their children with good moral and ethical values. When landing in the Broken Bow region of Nebraska he and my Grandmother found that genuine kindness, courtesy, and respect salt of the earth goodness that the people of this great state value so dearly. It was then they decided to settle and live their American Dream right here in Nebraska. In my 41 years on this earth I've only known hard work, dedication, struggle, and grief. I have not been a Politician nor have I amassed considerable wealth. Instead I have stood idly by watching the growth of government and bureaucratic self interest ignore not only Nebraskans but millions of Americans just like me. I now have an obligation to myself, my children, Nebraskans, and all Americans do what I can to change the system from within by reducing the size and scope of government by bringing a no nonsense unapologetic view to Washington DC. Many changes need to be made and our President is doing a good job but we need more like minded individuals in the house and senate who share these goals and not just use lip service and cow tow to special interest in the Swamp!

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?

• Term Limits are now more than ever a Necessity but the current individuals in power won't vote themselves out so it's up to us to Vote them out. 14 years is too long, If granted the opportunity to serve I will only run for reelection 3 times. in those 6 years I will make term limits one of my Priorities!
• The cost of Healthcare is far greater than it should be and I refuse to believe that vast improvements can't be made without sacrificing the quality. In fact I firmly Believe quality can increase while cost decrease along with reducing the bureaucratic red tape involved!
• By many Nebraska is known as the Tax me State. From the federal level I would like to do everything I can working with the President and others including State parties to reduce the tax burdens placed on the hard working American people!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Although the Constitution and bill of rights in their entirety should be upheld as our Countries greatest documents. I take the First and Second Amendments close to heart. The freedom of speech grants us an unparalleled ability to criticize and voice our opinions to the length no other Country can claim. Yet while the freedom of speech is what makes our Country the Greatest Nation on Earth. The Right to Bear Arms Undoubtedly makes the United States of America the Freest, and I view any and all restrictions as infringements upon those God given Inalienable Rights our fore fathers outlined! Furthermore only those who have forfeited their rights through egregious illegal activities and the mentally impaired who show a willingness to harm themselves and others should have any restrictions baring them from gun ownership. Even then case by case evaluations should be conducted.

I am also quite passionate about the cost of Healthcare! I won't pretend to have the solution and I don't know currently how to fix it, and that's ok. However I do know the proper mechanism to find those answers and with the help of members in both parties and our President they can be implemented. I would make it my Personal Mission to help our healthcare systems cut through the red tape, so that their function and performance is what our Country Deserves!

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

Thomas Sowell, Martin Luther King Jr., Ronald Regan, and Donald J Trump. I would not like to follow any one example of the individuals I admired but instead set my path built on the best examples left to us by those I looked up too and Respected. Neither a Congressman nor a Senator is a leader of the people, they are merely an employee of the people, for the people, by the people, who are tasked with the Job of bringing the Will of the People to the Government where policies are enacted or struck down for the betterment of those same people who elected him/her to Office.

As a Congressman for Nebraska's 3rd district it would be an honor to Serve everyone in my district. Being in Service to the People armed with the Will of the People is what should inform the Leading President of what the Country wants and needs.

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

Integrity is very important. Perseverance to fight for the best interest and will of the people. An Unapologetic attitude in the face of opposition. A desire listen and hear the problems of ones constituency with a servants ear with the courage required to bring those issues to light and act upon.

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

Integrity, Determination, Honesty, Compassion, Strength of will, and a No nonsense attitude!

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

Represent the interest of the People in ones district with the consideration of the american people a a whole. To provide legislation in introducing bills and resolutions. Partake in political and electoral activities. Make the public more involved in the issues at hand by consulting with constituents year round instead of just during election cycles.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy that portraits a serious servant of the people. I would like to known as someone who brings the major issues honestly into the light so that the people are well informed as to how major legislation will effect their lives. to be known for championing the good things government can do and abolishing as much of the bad legislation as possible. Of course it would be an honor and a privilege to take part in imposing the term limits we all desire.

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

The first historical event I remember was the Challenger shuttle explosion. I was about 7 or 8 years old.

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

My very first job was when I was 8 years old working for my father Carl Elfgren. My father owned and operated a hydraulic repair shop in Overton Ne where he repaired farming equipment from all across the state and took in business from surrounding states as well. However my job then was to clean the old mortar off old red bricks that were from his previous building location in Lexington Ne. The job lasted for 2 summers and paid .02 cents per brick. From there I was hooked on work and began mowing yards, scooping snow, tending gardens, and planting flowerbeds for the elderly until I was old enough to work on repairing hydraulic Jacks and Cylinders. Until I got into working as an apprentice for various trades spanning every level of home construction. Then after college I worked in produce at a grocery store until I got a job working at a grain elevator on the loading dock. I worked briefly in a fabrication department for a Plastics manufacturer before working at Nebraska By Products a rendering plant for a few years. Finally My last Job for 10+yrs I worked for Tyson Foods in the Maintenance department where I became a Maintenance Supervisor. I take a sliver of pride in starting at the bottom and working my way to the top learning each job and forming great relationships with coworkers. I've learned that the People behind each job are more important than the job itself, so the better the people are treated the higher quality of work and product is produced.

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

the HULK of course

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

B Story by Julian Smith

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

I was born with missing and webbed fingers where I was constantly told by my peers of all the things I couldn't do. I have spent my life defying what others think is possible in every aspect of my life and always in the direction of what was right no matter the personal consequences. My friends are among the greatest I could ever ask for and while I do have some enemies I still treat them with fairness. I learned from an early age that nothing worth doing right is easy and change can only come from within. Therefore when the Change you want doesn't come then you must become the agent of change that is needed! That is why I am running for United States Congress so that The change everyone deserves can be obtained and with enough dedication and sheer determination America can not only be Great again but continue down a road of Greatness for generations to come!

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. house of representatives has the ability to make and pass federal Laws. Also Congress has the ability to impeach federal officials. In the event that a tie happens in the electoral college then Congress pics the winner in a presidential election.

Furthermore as the Legislative branch the house holds the purse strings to government spending.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

The single and only benefit of experience in governmental politics is procedural decorum that is taught in most civics classes. So the Real answer is No there is no benefit to the American people served by having previous experience in governmental politics!

The Single Greatest Experience to help better serve as a Representative to the people in government politics, is a rich history of Work in the private sector where day to day activities include interaction with diverse people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The best way to deal with other countries to work out better deals with America in mind is to understand the differences in the way other cultures think! Different nationalities from across the globe have different values and mannerisms than our own, therefore it's imperative to know when, how and at what temperament should be used. In many cultures kindness is considered to be weakness and although that's counter to our own way of thinking it's important to understand those differences whenever negotiating with other countries.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

In the wake of the current COVID-19 virus outbreak the greatest challenges of the next decade will be to stabilize the economy back to a position of both sustainable growth and make preparations for the possibility of another future pandemic.

Many other challenges are on the horizon and deserve equal attention. President Trump has taken our Country in a new direction based on strength in not only our military but more importantly in our resolve to do whats best for the American people. We Need now more than ever to elect individuals who share in his vision who aren't just going to Washington just to be an obstruction!

Strengthening our boarders, a complete Overhaul of our immigration system to make it a more streamlined process and still account for critical assessment of bad actors to our national interest.

The protection of our natural resources with the forward thinking required to balance those same natural resources with the growth of current and future industry.

Health Care cost reduction is perhaps going to be the most challenging yet most vital to the hard working American needs to come.

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

Natural Resources, Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor. However I would serve to the best of my ability on any board in which I was placed.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

2 years seems appropriate I wouldn't go beyond 4 years.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Term Limits should be imposed immediately on both the House and the Senate. However a two term limitation for members in the Senate to serve no longer than 12 years in total. As well as a 3 term limit or 12 years whichever comes first in the House. The maximum of 12 years is important to be in place in case the length of terms is changed or a special election takes place during the middle of a term.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

House leader or Whip

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Rand Paul

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Rather than share a single story i'd rather share the overwhelming message that has formed in the hundreds of people I've had the honor to speak with. That Message is Crystal Clear, Nebraskans stand with Trump and are sick and tired of the current Republican representatives who have served for 14+years and done nothing to substantially change the lives of everyday Americans and have stood in the way of every Campaign promise President trump put forth. The Extreme cost of medications and high cost of healthcare is transforming the middle class into the working poor and has been for years now.

Time and time again the stories are all to disheartening. there is a real hatred for the House and Senate, the vitriol is thick and wide spread! the reason is because our elected officials began serving their own interests instead of the interest of the people who elected them into office. What's worse is that the day to day struggles of people that have been kept in place by our elected officials have caused the general public to lose interest in our politicians voting records and let them run amok because the people are too concerned with putting food on the table and making sure the mortgage gets paid to be bothered with politics of today.

However the Politics of today inform the rigors of life tomorrow leaving very few people the ability to act in an effort to make a difference!

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

2020 Elections

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Footnotes

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Nebraska's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Deb Fischer (R)

Pete Ricketts (R)

Representatives

District 1

Mike Flood (R)

District 2

Don Bacon (R)

District 3

Adrian Smith (R)

Republican Party (5)