Bob Krist in 2018 NE Governor's race


On Free Trade: Trump's trade war would devastate Nebraska's economy

Sen. Bob Krist, candidate for Nebraska governor, says that President Trump's threats to start a global trade war would be devastating to Nebraska's economy and called on Gov. Pete Ricketts to lobby Vice President Mike Pence to stop the Administration's threats.

"Nebraska is the number one exporter of beef and one of the top exporters of corn and dried distillers," Krist said. "Gov. Ricketts, on behalf of Nebraska cattle producers and farmers, tell Vice President Pence to stop Trump's foolhardy and dangerous threats to our farmers and ranchers' livelihoods," Krist said.

Nebraska topped all other U.S. states for beef exports in 2017 for a second year in a row, exporting $1.26 billion worth of beef. In all, Nebraska's $6.4 billion in agricultural exports in 2015 translate into $7.8 billion in additional economic activity in Nebraska.

"Gov. Ricketts should tell Vice President Pence that Nebraska will not forget selling us down the river over a foolish trade war," Krist said.

Source: KHGI (ABC) Nebraska.tv on 2018 Nebraska governor race Mar 6, 2018

On Immigration: Supports prenatal care for illegal immigrants

Krist was appointed by former Gov. Dave Heineman as a Republican. He has often bucked his own party leaders on issues such as prenatal care for illegal immigrants but has said that his opposition to abortion separates him from the Democratic Party.

Ricketts' campaign manager, Jessica Flanagain, said: "Krist has had a drama-filled pathway to registering with the (Democratic) party he's voted with for years."

Source: Omaha World-Herald on 2018 Nebraska governor race Feb 13, 2018

On Abortion: I oppose abortion rights but otherwise would run as Democrat

Krist said he considered running as a Democrat, which potentially would have come with the organizational structure and funding help he will now have to assemble from the ground up. But he said he could not align himself with the party's support for abortion rights.
Source: Omaha World Herald on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race Nov 1, 2017

On Education: Wants voters to weigh in on education decisions

Krist addressed the largest portion of property tax funding--about 60% going to education. Currently, the formula funds the education system 2 years out. "If your assessment is going up, and your taxes are going up and you're getting more revenue, why are you keeping your levy at this level? Basically, you're taking money as windfall rather than allowing your taxpayers and your voters to weigh in on making decisions for their community and their educational institutions."
Source: Kearney Hub on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race Oct 20, 2017

On Principles & Values: Reputation for being a pragmatic, fair conservative

I am proud to wholeheartedly support Sen. Krist of Omaha in his campaign for governor of Nebraska. As a young Nebraskan who's watched Krist in the Unicameral for the past few sessions, he never struck me as the kind of cautious politician you'd typically see planning to run for higher office. He's honest for one, and votes sensibly. He isn't afraid to work out solutions--and sometimes yell at his colleagues. Krist consistently upholds his values as a pragmatic and fair conservative.
Source: Kearney Hub on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race Oct 17, 2017

On Welfare & Poverty: Voted against $32M budget cuts to the needy

In a statement, Gov. Ricketts commended lawmakers for sustaining his $56.5 million worth of vetoes in the two-year budget ending June 30, 2019. But State Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha said the votes produced "probably one of the darkest days I've had here." The defeated motions included one that would have restored $32.5 million for the care of low-income Nebraskans and people with developmental disabilities or mental health problems.
Source: Omaha World Herald on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race May 18, 2017

On Civil Rights: Switches position, now pro-LGBT rights

Nebraska lawmakers who sought for 4 years to ban discrimination against LGBT workers are emboldened by a new federal court decision linking such protections to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. That includes nearly all of the body's Democrats and several moderate Republicans, including Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha, who introduced a motion to kill a similar bill last year. Krist said he has been persuaded to change his mind in part because of the success of an LGBT protection ordinance Omaha enacted in 2012.
Source: ABC News on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race Apr 6, 2017

On Gun Control: Support restricting magazine capacity & registering handguns

Once upon a time.State Senator Bob Krist took an Oath to uphold the United States Constitution! During State Preemption testimony earlier this year Krist indicated that he supported Magazine Capacity Restrictions along with the current UnConstitutional Handgun Registrations that exist in Lincoln & Omaha. Krist, a Republican(RINO) recently made headlines when he made the 'American Conservative Unions' 2015 list for the 'Coalition of the Radical Left' list in Nebraska.
Source: NebraskaFirearms.org on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race May 18, 2016

On Jobs: No job discrimination by race, religion, or orientation

A proposed ban on employment discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender has hit a snag in the Nebraska Legislature. Krist voted yes originally but later said he'll try and get the committee to change its vote. He wants to expand it to include race and religion. Reacting to some remarks made by Sen. Ernie Chambers, a black atheist, following the vote. "And the things that were said about my religion, and my race cued me that maybe we need to expand this, that we're covering the bases."
Source: NetNebraska.org on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race Feb 11, 2015

On Health Care: Honored for work with nursing/assisted living homes

The Nebraska Health Care Association has named Sen. Bob Krist as the recipient of the 2014 State Impact Award. This prestigious award honors an individual who has made a significant impact on Nebraska's nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and the people they care for. He worked with the Health Care Association to bring forth LB854, which directed the Department of Health and Human Services to delay issuance of the request for proposals for Medicaid managed long-term services/supports.
Source: Strictly-Business.com on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race Nov 1, 2014

On Homeland Security: Wants veteran's social security to be exempt from state tax

"It is my goal to see Nebraska keep more retired veterans living here instead of seeing so many of them move to another state that does not have these taxes," said Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha. His bill (LB5) would exempt Social Security benefits, military retirement pay and military civilian retirement pay. It would cost $330 million in the first three years. Krist said his measure would attract military retirees from other states to Nebraska.
Source: Fremont Tribune on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2013

The above quotations are from 2018 Nebraska Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
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Page last updated: Dec 11, 2018