A vote for Pillen

Nebraska Republicans have clear and distinct options on the ballot in the May 10 primary race for governor and the best choice to lead this state forward is Columbus businessman Jim Pillen.
Pillen has proven himself as a trusted voice of reason in business and as a member of the Nebraska Board of Regents, not afraid to take bold stands and fight for his conservative ideals. He’s proud of and clear on his priorities, saying his campaign is rooted in four words — kids, taxes, agriculture and values.
Though not well known statewide before he was elected to the Board of Regents, Pillen has been outspoken with his views, speaking out against mask mandates early on as well as sharing candid and specific concerns with the 30-by-30 initiative, proposed sex education standards and promotion of Critical Race Theory. His views on these and other major issues of the day align with the majority of Nebraskans.
Among his greatest strengths is Pillen’s deep-rooted understanding of agriculture, as well as both the impact and opportunity it holds here in Nebraska. He built Pillen Family Farms from the ground up into a large, family-based operation and understands the state’s largest industry intuitively. He is not as familiar with the legislative process, which is perhaps why he chose not to participate in the GOP debates -- a mistake in my view. On that note, Pillen makes a better impression in person than he did in his campaign, which focused on some early television ads that frankly distracted from his message and mission. 
The negative tone of this campaign was disturbing, quite frankly, due in very large part to Charles Herbster. From the get-go, Herbster played his lead card as an endorsement from Donald Trump, going on the offensive with misleading accusations, in effect drawing more attention to his mudslinging than his own agenda for positive change. He reportedly spent more than $7 million of his own money in this campaign, an obvious attempt to buy the election. Herbster’s tactics as a candidate would most certainly carry forward if he is elected, which is simply not the way Nebraska treats people or goes about its business. 
Brett Lindstrom is a respectable young legislator and a quality candidate. His strength is his familiarity with the legislative process in recent debates/bills on issues of the day, though he has not been a leader in those conversations and is unproven in that regard.
On balance, Jim Pillen is the best choice in what looks to be a three-man race for the most likely next Nebraska governor.
Kurt Johnson