Norfolk woman announces bid for Nebraska Legislature

NORFOLK, Neb. (KCAU) — A woman from Norfolk has announced her bid for Nebraska’s legislature.

Melissa Temple will be running for Nebraska’s 19th Legislative District. The 19th Legislative District includes Madison County and southern Pierce County, Temple announced in a release.

“I want to give voters an alternative choice outside the boxes of our two-party system,” said Temple. “I believe leadership is first and foremost about service. I am running for the legislature as an independent candidate in order to make thoughtful decisions on behalf of my constituents, not tied to partisan politics. Being conservative and compassionate are not mutually exclusive, and my faith tradition compels me to work towards justice for the most vulnerable in our community and address social issues with empathetic solutions.”

The release said that Temple moved to Norfolk over 20 years ago and worked as a special education teacher for a time. She went on to co-found a non-profit that works to combat human trafficking and help rehabilitate survivors in Nebraska.

Temple was elected as a board member of the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District in 2022 and is also the current vice president of the Norfolk Parks and Recreation board.

“I have spent the past few years listening to and learning from citizens in our community who represent all walks of life. In the legislature, I will work to promote rural healthcare access, keep our public schools and community colleges well-funded, address our affordable housing and childcare crisis, be an advocate for folks with disabilities and mental health challenges, recommend responsible tax reform, and partner with producers to mitigate the rising nitrates in our groundwater. I hope to be an independent voice for the people of this district and help make it a place everyone wants to come back home to.”

Rob Dover currently represents the 19th Legislative District after he was appointed to the seat in 2022 following the seat that was vacated by Congressman Mike Flood.

Temple will be facing off against Dover and Jeanne M. Reigle in the Nebraska Primary Election on May 14.

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