In Their Own Words

Hi Angel, Thank you again for reaching out. I’ve included my responses to the six questions below. I appreciate the opportunity to provide straightforward answers and make my positions available for voters to review. Please feel free to let me know if you have additional questions or anything else I can assist with.

1. Name one thing you intend to do in your first year that a voter could later confirm from a public record. Not a goal -- a specific action, and the document that would show it happened: a bill you introduced, a recorded vote, a filed report.

   I intend to introduce the Campaign Promise Accountability Act, which would create a public record of major campaign commitments and whether they were pursued, advanced, blocked, abandoned, or reversed. A voter could verify that through the bill record on Congress.gov.

2. Two years from now somebody is going to build a page about your record whether you help them or not. Which public record should they use -- roll calls, official filings, your own campaign finance reports? Pick the measure you would accept as fair and I will use the one you pick.

   Official House roll-call votes. Use the Clerk of the U.S. House record. Statements and explanations matter, but the vote itself is the clearest record of what I actually did.

3. Is there any category of contribution you will not accept? If so, name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings, because that is exactly what I would do.

   I will not accept corporate PAC money. Period. I will accept lawful contributions from individual private donors, and I will follow federal contribution and disclosure rules. My vote cannot be bought. My responsibility is to the people of the district first, above donors, parties, or outside organizations. Voters should absolutely check my FEC filings and hold me to that.

4. Name one issue where you expect to end up on the other side from the people or groups backing your campaign, and what record would show it when it happens.

   Marijuana policy is one possible example. I support federal rescheduling and regulated medical access, including testing, labeling, clinical guidance, and evidence-based policy. I have not committed to full recreational legalization. There are people who support me who would go further than that. If my position changes as I review additional evidence or legislation, I’ll say so publicly.

5. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who do I write to, and will that person answer? A name and an address, for the record. I will publish whoever you name and whether they answered.

   Macey Budke- budkeforcongress@gmail.com. Yes, I will answer. If someone is publishing information about my public record, I should be willing to answer questions about it directly.

6. Nebraska's cloture rule requires two-thirds of the elected members -- 33 of 49 -- to end debate. Two medical cannabis bills died on it, in 2021 and 2025, without either one losing a majority vote; the 2025 motion had more senators voting yes than no and still failed. I am not asking your position on cannabis. I am asking about the rule: would you change that threshold, leave it, or do you not yet have a view? If it is not your office's business, say so and I will print that.

   That is not the business of the office I am seeking. I am running for the U.S. House, not the Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska senators set the rules governing their chamber, and I do not think a member of Congress should be telling them how to run it.

Best,

September 30, 2026 MARK COHEN ANSWERS TO SIX QUESTIONS

1. Name one thing you intend to do in your first year that a voter could later confirm from a public record. Not a goal -- a specific action, and the document that would show it happened: a bill you introduced, a recorded vote, a filed report.

   I will introduce a bill to amend the Packers and Stockyards Act to make clear that a plaintiff need only prove harm to the plaintiff, not harm to competition. Congress.gov will show the bill and list me as its sponsor.

2. Two years from now somebody is going to build a page about your record whether you help them or not. Which public record should they use -- roll calls, official filings, your own campaign finance reports? Pick the measure you would accept as fair and I will use the one you pick.

   None of those are good measures. A representative who introduces five bills that would bring real reform for Nebraskans is better than one who introduces twenty meaningless bills. A representative who gets no legislation passed but who proposed a bold reform to force both parties to address an issue serves an important purpose. The two parties may try to silence me or stall my bills in committee. The best measure would be whether Third District residents believe I am working for them.

3. Is there any category of contribution you will not accept? If so, name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings, because that is exactly what I would do.

   I won’t accept money from corporate PACs.

4. Name one issue where you expect to end up on the other side from the people or groups backing your campaign, and what record would show it when it happens.

   The people backing our independent campaign are not a monolith. The real world is not two-dimensional, and some supporters may agree with me on some issues and not on others. That said, I strongly support gun rights, and some people backing our campaign may not agree with that.

5. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who do I write to, and will that person answer? A name and an address, for the record. I will publish whoever you name and whether they answered.

   During the campaign, write to Mark Cohen, P.O. Box 81, Lemoyne, NE 69146, or info@markfornebraska.org. My campaign will answer any request to correct a factual error about me or my record, though a member of my team may write the reply. After I take office, my congressional office will designate a contact for corrections, and that office will answer. I don’t know what my address in Washington, D.C., will be.

6. Nebraska's cloture rule requires two-thirds of the elected members -- 33 of 49 -- to end debate. Two medical cannabis bills died on it, in 2021 and 2025, without either one losing a majority vote; the 2025 motion had more senators voting yes than no and still failed. I am not asking your position on cannabis. I am asking about the rule: would you change that threshold, leave it, or do you not yet have a view? If it is not your office's business, say so and I will print that.

   I am running for the U.S. House, not the unicameral, and therefore decline to comment.

1. Why should an Omaha voter who has never looked at this race vote for you?

   Why would an Omaha area voter who has never looked at this race vote for me? Because if you're looking, it means you might feel the same as a lot of others do. That the two parties and their friends already have the power and control and neither one is bringing the cost of living down. In fact, they may be the direct cause. First off, I am not a career politician. I am a Nebraska native, a Father, and an American who works for a living, serving my community in some manner. Whether in kitchens, construction, or property management. I am running for the overlooked and the dismissed. Both major parties campaign on one thing, and govern for another. Ignoring those who sent them to represent. So, If you are tired of blank checks for wars and overseas spending while groceries, rent, fuel, and health care keep rising, that is the race. My job would be to cut waste, prosecute the fraud and corruption, lower taxes on working families, farmers, and young adults just starting on their own. Defend the Constitution and ALL your rights. A secure border, return to cohesion in legislation without turning Congress into a rubber stamp. I will always put Nebraskans ahead of party leadership and lobbyists. You do not have to join a party to use that vote. It's worth more than Gold. Spend it wisely.

2. Which public record (a vote, a filing, a bill, a document) should voters use to judge your term if you win? Pick the measure you would accept as fair.

   The public record I would accept as the fair measure of a term to judge me on is of course, the House roll-call record, not on on ads or the fundraisers I hold. The fair test is every vote on appropriations, debt-ceiling, and tax bills: did I vote against blank-check foreign spending? and against raising the burden on people who make under $200,000?, or did I fold? Those votes would be public on Congress.gov and in the Clerk of the House roll calls. I have also said I would be willing to wear a body camera where permissible and post a daily vlog so constituents can see the work, not just the press release. If the votes and the footage do not match the platform, do not send me back.

3. Is there any category of campaign contribution you will not accept?

   Contributions I will not accept: PAC money, lobbyist money, corporate, special-interest. I am not backed by political insiders. My objection and passion to unjust authority cannot be bought. Check the filings yourself: Ballotpedia’s FEC summary has shown $0 in reported receipts for this committee(less than $5k actually), and any real money has to show up on fec.gov. I would rather have a good word spoken about me, than a dollar in the piggy bank. Campaigns do need funds, so donations are appreciated and will be used responsibly.

4. If an ad says something about you that isn't true, what is the true version, and where can I check it?

   If an ad is wrong, the true version and where to check it? True version: Eric Michael Foreman, Libertarian, not a Democrat or Republican, not a sitting officeholder, not from D.C. Blue-collar Nebraska, property management in Omaha, husband and father. Platform is lower cost of living, free markets, smaller federal government, no endless foreign spending, 2A, secure borders, legal immigration, tougher prosecution of child abuse and trafficking, and local accountability over federal bureaucracy. Check the candidate’s own site, foremantakebackourhouse.com/platform, the FEC candidate filings, and Ballotpedia’s NE-02 page before you trust an ad.

5. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who should I write to?

   If a page gets something wrong, who to write Campaign media contact published at launch: media@FOREMANtakebackOURhouse.com. Campaign site: foremantakebackourhouse.com. Public X account tied to the race: @The1Knocking.

I hope this helps, and if you need anything else from me. You know where to reach me. I appreciate your efforts and thank you for allowing me to participate. Best regards,

Hi Angel! I’m so sorry it took me so long to answer your questions. I’m grateful for my friend Jason Taylor who reminded me! Running a statewide campaign is bananas. Here are my answers:

1. Name one thing you intend to do in your first year that a voter could later confirm from a public record. Not a goal -- a specific action, and the document that would show it happened: a bill you introduced, a recorded vote, a filed report.

   I have lots of plans to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the SoS office. Something that could be measured within the first year would be my work to modernize the business services division. I’d like to make the process of opening a business in Nebraska easier to navigate and more accessible for everyone. An overhaul of the website and available online services would be a necessary starting point.

2. Two years from now somebody is going to build a page about your record whether you help them or not. Which public record should they use -- roll calls, official filings, your own campaign finance reports? Pick the measure you would accept as fair and I will use the one you pick.

   I suppose official filings would be the appropriate record for the Secretary of State. This is primarily an administrative job, so that would be the best measure of whether or not I’m doing the work assigned to me.

3. Is there any category of contribution you will not accept? If so, name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings, because that is exactly what I would do.

   I’ve come to find out that a Secretary of State race isn’t something widely invested in. It’s not policy making in nature, so there is little room for outside influence if you’re running to do the job as intended. I would not accept money from individuals or organizations that would expect me to bend the rules or be beholden to them. Luckily, my campaign has been funded almost entirely by small grassroots donations from Nebraskans, organizations invested in the neutrality of this office, and from organizations representing working people.

4. Name one issue where you expect to end up on the other side from the people or groups backing your campaign, and what record would show it when it happens.

   I would love to see some guardrails put into place around our ballot initiative process. The influx of money and influence into what was intended to be a citizen-led process has gotten out of hand. I recently met with a group of petition organizers who were concerned about making sweeping changes to the process. While I understand and hear their concerns, I believe that a set of guidelines that everyone must follow is appropriate. And the Secretary of State must follow the guidelines and apply the rules equally and fairly across ALL ballot initiatives.

5. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who do I write to, and will that person answer? A name and an address, for the record. I will publish whoever you name and whether they answered.

   You can write to me. Sarah Slattery. Slattery for Nebraska, PO Box 83, Plattsmouth, NE 68048

6. Nebraska's cloture rule requires two-thirds of the elected members -- 33 of 49 -- to end debate. Two medical cannabis bills died on it, in 2021 and 2025, without either one losing a majority vote; the 2025 motion had more senators voting yes than no and still failed. I am not asking your position on cannabis. I am asking about the rule: would you change that threshold, leave it, or do you not yet have a view? If it is not your office's business, say so and I will print that.

   While cloture rules and the business of the legislature aren’t under the purview of the office of the Secretary of State, voter confidence absolutely IS. I’m not the Secretary of State yet, but I’ve been campaigning hard to increase voter turnout. That’s been difficult. 71% of Nebraskans voted in favor of medical cannabis in 2024, and here we are, TWO YEARS LATER without a functional system that should be helping the patients who desperately need that care. When folks ask me why they should bother to vote this time, I get it. I’ve been working tirelessly to educate voters about exactly how we got here and the importance of making their voices heard at the ballot box. If their representatives won’t listen to the will of the people, they have to vote to elect new representatives! Nothing is gained from “sitting it out”. Your vote is your VOICE! Use it!

1. Name one thing you intend to do in your first year that a voter could later confirm from a public record. Not a goal -- a specific action, and the document that would show it happened: a bill you introduced, a recorded vote, a filed report.

   I would commission a study and report on what Ranked Choice Voting would cost to implement and if it is a feasible transition for Nebraska. There would be a filed report and study for the voters to later confirm from public record. The ultimate goal is if this is feasible and cost effective it would lead to working with the legislature to put forward a bill.

2. Two years from now somebody is going to build a page about your record whether you help them or not. Which public record should they use -- roll calls, official filings, your own campaign finance reports? Pick the measure you would accept as fair and I will use the one you pick.

   I would have them use two things form the public record, The first is the election results reporting and transparency and the second would be any and all directives and memoranda that is produced from the Secretary of State’s Office

3. Is there any category of contribution you will not accept? If so, name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings, because that is exactly what I would do.

   I would not accept opinion pieces or social media commentary on actions.

4. Name one issue where you expect to end up on the other side from the people or groups backing your campaign, and what record would show it when it happens.

   Ranked Choice Voting. The same answer for question 1, when the study and report come out will be the record of when it happens.

5. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who do I write to, and will that person answer? A name and an address, for the record. I will publish whoever you name and whether they answered.

   Please write to myself at rumbaughfornebraska@gmail.com

6. Nebraska's cloture rule requires two-thirds of the elected members -- 33 of 49 -- to end debate. Two medical cannabis bills died on it, in 2021 and 2025, without either one losing a majority vote; the 2025 motion had more senators voting yes than no and still failed. I am not asking your position on cannabis. I am asking about the rule: would you change that threshold, leave it, or do you not yet have a view? If it is not your office's business, say so and I will print that.

   This is not part of the office's duties.

1. Why should a voter who has never looked at this race vote for you?

   My name is Nate Ostdiek. I’m running for the Legislature because our state needs fresh energy. I’m 24, an educator at the University of Nebraska, and I have been engaged with local politics for the past six years. If elected, I will be one of maybe two state senators not taking money from corporations or their lobbyists. If you live in District 6, I would be honored to earn your vote because, at a time of so much change, we need to do something different.

2. Which public record (a vote, a filing, a bill, a document) should voters use to judge your term if you win? Pick the measure you would accept as fair.

   It would be fair to examine my voting record, presence in the community, and responsiveness to the District as a metric for judging the success of my term. I cannot promise to pass any specific policy, but I’m going to try my absolute hardest to represent District 6 and bring voices to the table that otherwise wouldn’t even get the time of day.

3. Is there any category of campaign contribution you will not accept?

   Yes. Our elected officials should hold themselves to a high standard to restore trust in our government, and “you are what you eat.” I don't take money from corporations/businesses, corporate lobbyists, or PACs whose funding source I cannot track. I’ve even refused several donations because I don't want questions about my motivation when taking votes or who I’m prioritizing in the Legislature. It is, and will always be, the people of District 6.

4. If an ad says something about you that isn't true, what is the true version, and where can I check it?

   Hopefully there won’t be any lies about me being spread, but I’ll probably put out a response digitally and as a press release. Anyone can reach out as well; I try to be incredibly accessible as both a candidate and as a state senator.

5. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who should I write to?

   If you have any questions or issues you’d like to share, please reach me at nate@natefornebraska.com.

Hi, Angel! Thank you for doing this. My responses have been added down below.

1. What is one decision the State Board will face in the next four years that a voter should understand before voting, and which public document would show how it was decided?

   The State Board sets the academic standards Nebraska public schools teach to and writes the rules that govern accreditation, special education, and teacher certification. Over the next four years, the Board will keep deciding how much of that is set statewide and how much is left to locally elected school boards. I believe the Board should hold high expectations for every student while protecting local control. To see how those decisions were made, read the State Board meeting minutes and recorded votes, along with the drafts and public hearing comments on any standards or rule change.

2. Which public record should someone use to judge your term when it ends: Board minutes and recorded votes, the budget, something else? Pick the measure you would accept as fair.

   Use the State Board minutes and my recorded votes. I ran on three priorities: strong academics and literacy, supporting and keeping good teachers, and transparent, accountable governance. If my votes and the reasons I give for them in open meetings line up with those priorities, I did what I said I would. If they do not, voters should hold me to it.

3. Is there any category of campaign contribution you will not accept? Name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings.

   I will not accept contributions from any company that sells curriculum, testing, or education technology to Nebraska schools or the Department of Education. I do not accept anonymous contributions. Every contribution is reported to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, and every contributor who gives more than $250 in a year is listed by name in those filings.

4. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who should I write to?

   Write to me directly at mcforsboe@gmail.com. You can also reach my campaign through mcforsboe.com.

5. For a voter who has never looked at a State Board of Education race: in your own words, why should they vote for you?

   I am a Nebraska public school graduate, and my husband and I have five children in Nebraska public schools today. I serve on the Crete Public Schools Board of Education, so I already work with budgets, state aid, and the real effects of state decisions on a local district. I have also spent more than a decade managing projects and implementing systems, which is the kind of practical, detail work a governing board needs. I am running because I believe kids belong to all of us. We do not have to share politics to share priorities, and every family in this district wants the same things: schools that teach their kids well, teachers who stay, and a Board that makes decisions in the open.

Thank you again for your work on this. Have a lovely weekend!

Angel- Here are my responses: Cook for MUD 2026:

1. What is one decision the Board will face in the next six years that a voter should understand before voting, and which public document would show how it was decided?

   Over the next six years, our community will face many decisions on how quickly we replace aging, critical infrastructure—like cast-iron gas mains and lead service lines—while ensuring monthly utility bills stay fair and affordable for working families. Protecting public health and safety requires aggressive and consistent investment, but it must be balanced so we don't price people out of their homes. How these crucial tradeoffs are debated and voted on is fully documented in the M.U.D. Board Meeting Minutes and Resolutions, which are published online for public review.

2. Which public record should someone use to judge your term when it ends: Board minutes, rate filings, the annual report, something else? Pick the measure you would accept as fair.

   The fairest record to evaluate my service is the M.U.D. Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements. Board minutes show how I advocate and vote, but the Annual Report proves the actual impact on our community: whether we maintained stable rates, protected system reliability, managed debt responsibly, and delivered cleaner, safer water and natural gas to everyday households.

3. Is there any category of campaign contribution you will not accept? Name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings.

   I accept contributions from individual community members and organizations supporting my advocacy, provided they strictly follow state campaign finance laws. Every donor and contribution amount is fully disclosed on my public Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission (NADC) filings so ratepayers have 100% transparency.

4. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who should I write to?

   Please reach out directly to me. I believe in direct communication, complete transparency, and setting the record straight promptly whenever questions or inaccuracies arise.

5. For a voter who has never looked at a MUD race: in your own words, why should they vote for you?

   When you turn on the tap or heat your home, you deserve peace of mind knowing your public utility is working for you—not just cutting costs, but actively protecting your family's health and safety. As a former State Senator and a MUD Board member since 2019, my advocacy has always been rooted in everyday people. I’ve worked to keep our utility rates fair and accessible while holding the line on upgrading our vital water and gas infrastructure. If you are a resident of MUD Subdistrict #5, you should vote for me because I will always be an independent, accountable voice putting customer-owners first and ensuring our community's essential services remain safe, reliable, and strong for years to come.

Thank you,

Thank you for all you are doing! You are right, so many people are not familiar with our state's NRDs (established in 1972), rather usually thinking of it as a government 'agency." We (my family) have an NRD PL 566 (flood control) dam on our farm, built in 1995, and which I went all the way to Washington DC to work through, including the eminent domain issue! Thanks!!

1. What is one decision the NRD Board will face in the next four years that a voter should understand before voting, and which public document would show how it was decided?

   Although natural resources management is an interrelated whole, I believe the one decision the NRD will be facing is managing costs, financial and environmental, to continue to balance the best flood management and water quality with impending economic growth. Public documents that would best support this include long term planning and budgets, along with open public input and appropriate studies.

2. Which public record should someone use to judge your term when it ends: Board minutes, the budget, the annual report, something else? Pick the measure you would accept as fair.

   While board members do not / cannot act alone, each board member’s vote, as recorded in the minutes, probably speaks best to judging that individual board member’s term of service to their constituents.

3. Is there any category of campaign contribution you will not accept? Name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings.

   I have never received, nor solicited, any campaign contributions, however, I have purchased and placed my own small campaign signs in the past.

4. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who should I write to?

   I am simple, open, and straightforward but if you believe you have anything wrong about me, please reach out to me directly.

5. For a voter who has never looked at an NRD race: in your own words, why should they vote for you?

   From my northeast Nebraska strong rural and family business background, to earning a UNO degree and co-teaching natural resources management at UNO, to lifelong active community volunteer leadership, I have developed independent critical thinking, experience, and respectful understanding to arrive at the best decisions for my constituents, and I would appreciate your vote to serve you on the Papio NRD board.

1. What is one decision the NRD Board will face in the next four years that a voter should understand before voting, and which public document would show how it was decided?

   I think one of the biggest decisions the NRD Board will face over the next four years is how we manage continued development without sacrificing the natural resources that make our communities worth living in. Our communities are growing, and I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. But growth comes with consequences, and somebody has to be willing to ask whether we're making decisions that benefit the people who actually live here or the corporations looking to profit from that growth. I'm sick and tired of watching wealthy interests treat our communities and natural resources as something they can exploit for financial gain, while everyone else is left dealing with the consequences. That's a big part of why I'm running. I genuinely care about the people who live here, and I'm not interested in sacrificing their well-being or our environment just to make somebody else wealthier. That wealth belongs to the people. Voters should be able to look at the NRD's board minutes, agendas, and supporting documents to see how these decisions were made, what information was considered, and how each board member voted.

2. Which public record should someone use to judge your term when it ends: Board minutes, the budget, the annual report, something else? Pick the measure you would accept as fair.

   I'd say the board minutes. I stand by the decisions I've made during my time on the Learning Community Coordinating Council, and I'll hold myself to that same standard on the NRD Board. People should be able to look at my voting record and decide for themselves whether I've represented their interests. But I also think there's more to public service than what happens in a board meeting. One of my biggest pet peeves when voting is how difficult it can be to find information about candidates. I've actually skipped voting in certain races because I couldn't find enough information about the people running. I hate that. How are we supposed to make informed decisions when we barely know anything about the candidates? That's why I document so much of what I do on social media. The events I attend, the organizations I support, the volunteer work, and the things I care about. I want people to be able to scroll through my posts and get an idea of who I am and what matters to me. I don't expect people to just take my word for it. Look at my record. Look at my involvement in the community. Judge me by what I actually do, not just what I say during an election. https://www.instagram.com/team_jasontaylor/

3. Is there any category of campaign contribution you will not accept? Name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings.

   AIPAC is one example of an organization whose financial support I would never willingly accept. But my concerns go well beyond any single organization. I'm deeply uncomfortable with the amount of corporate money influencing our political system, especially when those contributing stand to benefit financially from the decisions elected officials make. I've watched far too many politicians appear to put the interests of their donors ahead of the people they're supposed to represent. It's one of the things that frustrates me most about politics. I didn't get involved in public service to make wealthy people wealthier. I'm here because I care about my neighbors and the communities we live in. My values aren't for sale. I can't be bought, and I'm not going to change my position on something just because somebody writes me a check.

4. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who should I write to?

   You can reach me directly through Facebook Messenger. I'm pretty accessible, and I don't have a problem answering questions or clearing up something that's inaccurate. I'd much rather someone reach out and give me an opportunity to clarify something than have misinformation circulating about me. And if I've made a mistake, I'll own it. I'm human. It happens.

5. For a voter who has never looked at an NRD race: in your own words, why should they vote for you?

   First, I think people should understand just how much the NRD does that affects our everyday lives. We're talking about protecting our water, conserving natural resources, preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining parks and trails, and making sure the communities we're building today are still places worth living in decades from now. But if you're asking why someone should vote for me specifically, I'd say look at who I am and what I've spent my life doing. I'm sick and tired of watching corporate and billionaire interests get prioritized over everyday people. I'm tired of watching politicians make decisions that benefit a wealthy few while the rest of us are left dealing with the consequences. And I'm tired of watching people struggle just to get by. Whether it's access to healthcare, education, affordable housing, or simply having a clean and safe community to raise a family, I believe people deserve better. I know the NRD can't solve all those problems. But it can make a difference in the areas it's responsible for, and that's where I want to do my part. I care about my neighbors. Not just the ones who live next door, but the ones I've never met. I care whether people are doing well, whether their families are safe, and whether we're leaving behind something better for the next generation. Maybe that's because I know what it's like to grow up without the support you need. I've experienced firsthand how difficult life can be when those support systems aren't there, and I've often wondered how different things might've been if they were. I can't change my own childhood, but I can certainly try to make sure others have the opportunities and support I didn't. And I understand there are people who just can't understand that motivation. But I don't think caring about someone should depend on whether you know them, agree with them, or even like them. I don't care if you're a Republican. I used to be one. I don't care if you're an independent. I consider myself one, too! And I don't care if you're a Democrat. I've been one of those as well! None of that changes how much I care about you or your family. Maybe I care too much. I don't know. But I care. And sometimes I wonder how many of the politicians making decisions on our behalf can genuinely say the same thing. I've spent years serving my country and my community. I'm not looking for money, influence, or recognition. I just want to fix the problems I can, wherever I can. And I believe that starts right here at home.

Best regards,

1. What is one decision the Board of Governors will face in the next four years that a voter should understand before voting, and which public document would show how it was decided?

   One of the most important decisions of the Board of Governors relates to setting and adhering to annual budget, with attention toward meeting the needs of students who attend Metro Community College. The final budget is set in September, and monthly reports are reviewed at monthly meetings. Seemingly dwindling state income may have an aderse effect on how well MCC can continue to meet its mission "to deliver relevant, student-centered education to a diverse community of learners." If that occurs, difficult conversations will be needed prior to setting budgets.

2. Which public record should someone use to judge your term when it ends: Board minutes, the budget, the annual report, something else? Pick the measure you would accept as fair.

   Board minutes will allow voters to see comments and votes by all members of the Board of Governors.

3. Is there any category of campaign contribution you will not accept? Name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings.

   I have not sought nor accepted campaign contributions. I am offering to serve the community in this non-paying position; if citizens determine that someone else would be a better member of the Board, I would accept that decision and fine an alternate way to serve the community.

4. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who should I write to?

   You appear to be very cautious in your questioning and your plans to use candidate's responses, so I suspect you won't get anything wrong.

5. For a voter who has never looked at a Metro Community College Board race: in your own words, why should they vote for you?

   I am currently unopposed in this race. I initially volunteered to serve when my district's position was vacated in November, 2023. Board members reviewed applications and resumes from 10 potential applicants, narrowed the pool to four, and then voted in several ballots until one candidate had a majority vote. Based on that lengthy process, my constituents may assume that my qualifications were carefully reviewed prior to my original selection. I believe that my prior experiences in public education and my record since that selection have served the college and the community well.

Hi Angel, Please see my responses below. Thank you for your commitment to educating voters!

1. What is one decision the Board of Governors will face in the next four years that a voter should understand before voting, and which public document would show how it was decided?

   An important decision facing the Board is how to balance investing in quality programs and student support while keeping tuition affordable. MCC relies heavily on state funding, so the state budget deficit presents a significant challenge. Continued budget cuts could threaten our ability to prepare students for good, in-demand jobs while keeping tuition affordable. Voters can review the adopted budget and Board meeting minutes to understand the financial tradeoffs and how decisions are made.

2. Which public record should someone use to judge your term when it ends: Board minutes, the budget, the annual report, something else? Pick the measure you would accept as fair.

   Board meeting agendas and minutes, available at mccneb.edu, provide a public record of Board discussions and decisions. I’d also ask voters to look at tuition costs. Over the past several years, MCC’s tuition increases have been modest, and the college’s published comparisons show its resident tuition and fees below the Nebraska community college average. Tuition is also substantially lower than the average at Iowa community colleges. These are measures voters can use to evaluate my commitment to affordability.

3. Is there any category of campaign contribution you will not accept? Name it plainly enough that a voter could check it against your own filings.

   I would not accept campaign contributions from individuals or organizations seeking to influence MCC decisions for their own benefit.

4. If a page like mine gets something about you wrong, who should I write to?

   For any questions or clarifications, please contact me directly through my website at www.KristenforMetro.com.

5. For a voter who has never looked at a Metro Community College Board race: in your own words, why should they vote for you?

   I've spent the past four years serving as MCC's at-large representative because I believe affordable education creates opportunity and strengthens our community and local economy. I plan to continue keeping tuition affordable, supporting students, and ensuring MCC's programs prepare students for good jobs. I would be honored to continue this work with a focus on student success and financial stewardship.

Best regards,