LINCOLN — A legislative veteran who was defeated once before faces a tough race against a political newcomer for northeast Nebraska's District 40.
State Sen. Cap Dierks of Ewing ran second Tuesday against Tyson Larson, an art consultant and ranch hand who has worked for Republican officials.
All other legislative incumbents came in first in their primary races, although the margin for some was uncomfortably small.
The top two vote-getters in each district will meet in the general election in November.
In the only race for an open seat, Columbus Mayor Mike Moser will face Paul Schumacher, an attorney, founder of an Internet service provider and president of Lotto Nebraska.
Only a handful of votes separated Schumacher and Moser, but they handily defeated the other two candidates in the race.
They will compete for the District 22 seat being vacated by Sen. Arnie Stuthman of Platte Center, who is term-limited.
Dierks is the Legislature’s most veteran member. He served 16 years before losing his fifth re-election bid in 2002 to fellow incumbent Sen. Doug Cunningham. They ran against each other because of redistricting.
Dierks rejoined the Legislature in 2006, when term limits forced out Cunningham.
“I knew it was going to be tough. I hadn’t been able to get around very much because of the legislative session,” Dierks said Tuesday.
Larson attributed his victory to hard work. He said he has been out knocking on doors for weeks.
“These results are very good for me, obviously, but we’re not going to take them for granted,” Larson said.
In northwest Lincoln’s District 46, Sen. Danielle Conrad looks to have a difficult battle for re-election.
While she won against Chad Wright, who owns a small construction company, the vote was close Tuesday.
Conrad, a Democrat, has been targeted by the Nebraska Republican Party. The Legislature is officially nonpartisan.
Supporters of both candidates already have sent out attack mailings.
In northeast Lincoln’s District 26, Sen. Amanda McGill won a three-way race in convincing fashion. Her opponent in November will be Tom Dierks, the veteran senator’s son.
In District 30, teacher and farmer John Knabe of Wymore narrowly bested Robert Tiemann, a contractor and Beatrice Chamber of Commerce chairman, for the right to challenge incumbent Sen. Norm Wallman of Cortland in November.
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