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Education
B.A. History Creighton University, M.A. Education Creighton University, M.A. Special Education specializing in Learning Disabilities University of Nebraska Omaha
Current Public Office, dates
N/A
Past Public Office, dates held
N/A
Military experience
N/A
Volunteer experience
League of Women Voters, Phone banked/canvassed for political candidates
Other Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/knut
We need to let our teachers get back to focusing on teaching. Our schools are saddled with growing mental health and behavioral crises. Schools nationwide have found success by offering wrap-around services such as having mental health professionals and social workers on site, offering quality after-school programming, and providing parenting workshops. We also need to examine the broad use of technology in the classroom, which research has shown does not lead to increased learning outcomes. Lastly, it should also be acknowledged that not all problems can be solved legislatively. We need leaders who will call on parents to actively parent. Reading to your child and teaching character cost nothing more than a parents involvement and time.
We are a country of creators and builders. I support legislation supporting folks entering trade professions, promoting cottage industries, growing small businesses, and making life more affordable so folks can become entrepreneurs. In order to grow, we need an economy that allows people from all economic backgrounds to have the opportunity to advance upward. Representatives need to evolve as the people in the state evolve. For example, we are the only state to allow home births, but ban Certified Nurse-Midwife from attending. We are also one of a handful of states that does not have medical marijuana in place despite voters overwhelmingly voting for it in 2024. Nebraska has to modernize if we are going to keep young people in our state.
I grew up in District 2 on the Eastern edge of Lincoln, worked in Omaha, started my family in Juniata/Hastings, and returned to Lincoln to raise my two boys with my husband. There is an urban/rural divide. We need to address broadband and healthcare shortages.
This is why it is so important to get our budget back on track. It’s hard for our state to make investments when we simply do not have the funds. We need to be able to provide programs and grants to encourage entry into healthcare professions and incentivize folks to work in rural areas. Telehealth can be a bandaid providing some services while we work to address medical staffing shortages. Yet, this will also require greater broadband capability than we currently have.
My goal is to make all voters in District 2 feel respected. We may not always agree, but they should not feel ignored or dismissed. My motivation to run originated looking at my children. The political landscape is a mess. The idea of running came shortly after Minnesota State Senators Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman and their spouses were shot. The day I started my campaign Facebook account was the day Charlie Kirk was assassinated.
My decision to run was a mixture of heartbreak and hope. We’ve been on an unsustainable path of partisanship, and do not have much to show for it. I’ve been talking and listening to a lot of folks and I think a lot of us agree- for our children and grandchildren we have to do better.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Public Policy (In-Progress)
Volunteer experience
Community-based: Nehawka United Methodist Church, Nehawka Public Library, and Plattsmouth Lions Club. Advocacy-based: collected petition signatures, worked with past candidates, participated in the legislature.
Other Social Media
Instagram: @speedfornebraska
X and/or Bluesky Handle
@jaydenlspeed
Public schools are the centerpiece of communities across Nebraska. I am proud to be a public school graduate. My top concern is ensuring that public schools in Nebraska are adequately funded while reducing the burden on local property taxes. I believe the state should increase its share of education funding in both rural and urban school districts. Overreliance on property taxes has created an immense burden on farmers, ranchers, seniors, and working families in Nebraska. I believe there is a path to both restructure our tax code and fully fund public schools. Additionally, I am strongly opposed to sending public tax dollars to private schools. Quality public education for all our communities should be the goal of state lawmakers.
Nebraska must invest in young workers in order to grow and develop our state economy. Our state continues to be afflicted by brain drain where young people leave Nebraska, especially our rural communities, in order to find opportunity elsewhere. As a result, we have a workforce shortage. If we want to attract both workers and businesses to our state, we need to make investments in services that families rely on. The NE Chamber of Commerce and Industry has identified a lack of childcare as the top constraint on economic growth. The legislature should invest in accessible childcare and affordable housing to attract and retain young families in Nebraska. We can make the good life accessible again with key investments for working families.
I often share that Legislative District 2 is a microcosm of Nebraska. We have a vast rural area in Cass County with both small towns and farmhouses. We also have suburban and urban voters in the City of Lincoln. I believe that most Nebraskans, whether rural or urban, have common priorities. We want good schools, well-paying jobs, and community growth. In my opinion, talk of a rural/urban divide in Nebraska is purely politically manufactured. Rural and urban areas both require accessible, local services from mental healthcare to reliable broadband. With real leadership from the Legislature, we can invest in working families to ensure that the good life is accessible to all of our communities.
Far too often, Nebraska State Senators are more concerned with furthering the agenda of the Governor or their party and not necessarily what they personally believe is right or what the voters in their district want. Some have not taken the time to hear their constituents' concerns or offer a response. I have committed to listening to all stakeholders and taking in constituent voices when making decisions. Additionally, in regards to the several ballot initiatives, I will uphold the will of the people. I will not be afraid to vote as I believe is best and as the people of my district urge me to, even if it conflicts with the position of the Governor, political parties, or special interest groups. That is the duty of a State Senator.
