Gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen visits Broken Bow
BROKEN BOW - Gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen was in Broken Bow Thursday, April 15, to introduce himself to several community members at a lunch at the One Box Convention Center. He said his reason for tossing his hat into the ring is his love of Nebraska.
“I absolutely love Nebraska. I love the people of Nebraska. I believe it’s the best place in the world to live,” Pillen said.
Pillen said the future is increasingly bright, however, “the time is increasingly urgent.” He stated that Nebraska’s next governor has to be a business person, from outstate Nebraska, who has an understanding of the unspeakable challenges that have been seen during the last year.
Asked to prioritize issues facing Nebraska, he said property taxes are at the top of the list, saying Nebraska’s property tax system must be modernized. “I will work my tail off on property taxes,” he said. “Together we can get it done.”
Equal to property tax reform is workforce development. Pillen added that the third priority would be to “lift up the bottom half of the team,” noting that about half of Nebraska high school seniors graduate without skill training.
“Education is the future. I believe in access to education. Every kid has to have the same opportunities we had.” Funding for education is part of the property tax discussion and “all ideas have to be brought to the table.”
The arch over everything, Pillen said, is “defending agriculture with every step, with every breath.”
Other topics touched on were making government more efficient and growing Nebraska, that is, making Nebraska a destination for people to work and live.
Pillen talked about his family, lessons he learned from his parents, his business and experience as both a football player and Regent for the University of Nebraska.
He said when he played football for Coach Osborne, the team believed in what they could do. “We one hundred percent believed we were going to win. We knew we could compete.” He said that is what Nebraska needs to do now as a state. “We have to compete harder, have to have economic development on the same page. We can continue to make Nebraska better.”
He emphasized teamwork, saying in order to get things done, people must stop thinking of themselves first.
In an example, he talked about being on the 23-member search committee for the next president of the University of Nebraska. After working together for a common goal, he said “during a secret ballot, all 23 voted for Ted Carter. If we can get 23 to vote for Ted Carter, I can work with 49,” he added, alluding to the 49 state senators.
Pillen took a moment to congratulate the people of Broken Bow, saying the last time he was here was about ten years ago and there has been a lot of growth. “You are a model of working together and making things happen,” he said. “What you have done here is really off the charts..”
Pillen is from Columbus, is a veterinarian and runs Pillen Family Farms with his two oldest children. He and his wife, Suzanne, have four children and seven grandchildren. He played Nebraska football under Coach Osborne.
Pillen is a University of Nebraska Regent and is a member of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce member and AKSARBEN Foundation and is active is community and church organizations. He announced his candidacy for Nebraska Governor on April 7. More on Pillen can be found at his website JimPillen.com.
Current Gov. Pete Ricketts cannot run for re-election due to term limits.