Tim Royers, Sen. Kathleen Kauth Submit Signatures To Get On Ballot In Nebraska District 31

From Nebraska Examiner:

By Aaron Sanderford

August 31, 2022

OMAHA — Signatures turned in this week are expected to ensure that voters in southwest Omaha’s District 31 have a Democrat and a Republican to pick from to replace the late State Sen. Rich Pahls.

The officially nonpartisan seat serving much of the Millard area was vacated in April, when Pahls, a former Omaha City Council member, died from complications related to cancer.

Millard Education Association President Tim Royers, a Democrat, submitted 2,575 signatures this week in his effort to be on the November ballot in Legislative District 31. He needs 2,000 valid signatures.

Royers, who finished second to Pahls by about 1,000 votes in 2020, thanked his supporters and said in a statement that he looks forward as an educator to championing “our schools and our families.”

“Nebraskans,” he said, “are eager to have a state senator who will put our community ahead of partisanship to deliver the common-sense solutions we need.”

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth, a Republican appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts to fill out the remainder of Pahls’ term, turned in 3,400 signatures this week. She thanked her “all-volunteer” team for gathering the signatures.

“After knocking thousands of doors in the past few months, one thing is clear: Voters in District 31 are tired of divisiveness and excuses,” she said. “They want their leaders to come together, solve problems, and get things done.”

Kauth has voiced support for a near total abortion ban. The Legislature fell two filibuster votes short of passing such a measure last spring, when Pahls was still alive. Pahls was ill at the time and did not cast a vote.

The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office confirmed Wednesday that it had received signatures from both candidates. Officials said verification would take a few days.

Nebraska law requires the ballot for the November general election to be certified by Sept. 16. Others hoping to run have until 5 p.m. Thursday to turn in signatures, officials said.

One other potential candidate had requested the paperwork to file, but he had not turned in signatures as of midmorning Wednesday, the state election office said.

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