LINCOLN — Van Phillips, a retired school superintendent from South Sioux City, Neb., has thrown his hat in the ring for the District 17 legislative seat.
Phillips will seek the seat now held by State Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins.
Bloomfield has not decided whether he will run next year. He was appointed to the Legislature in 2010, after former Sen. Bob Giese of South Sioux City was elected county treasurer.
Phillips said he has a background in leadership and the ability to pursue a vision. He spent 31 years as a school superintendent, including 13 at South Sioux City Community Schools. He is currently chairman of the Northeast Community College Board of Governors.
Phillips, 75, is a registered Republican. Candidates for Legislature run on a nonpartisan ballot.
District 17 encompasses Dakota, Thurston and Wayne Counties.
Three incumbent senators also recently announced plans to seek re-election.
Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln will run for a second term representing District 25, which covers the northeast quarter of Lancaster County. Campbell, a Republican, chairs the Health and Human Services Committee and is leading the legislative investigation of the state's child welfare privatization effort.
Sen. Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids has filed for re-election in District 41, which encompasses Boone, Howard, Greeley, Wheeler, Garfield, Valley, Sherman, Antelope and Pierce Counties. Sullivan, a Democrat, got a bill passed that requires crude-oil pipeline companies to reclaim any land disturbed by construction or operation.
Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island plans to seek a second term representing District 35, which covers Grand Island and a portion of eastern Hall County. Gloor, a Republican, is vice chairman of the Health and Human Services and the Legislative Planning Committees.
Contact the writer:
402-473-9583, martha.stoddard@owh.com
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