Education
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Volunteer experience
Former Member, National Board of Directors, Nebraska Alumni Association, Former Board Member, Completely Kids, Former Member, Dean’s Advisory Council, University of Nebraska College of Journalism
My wife has worked in Nebraska K-12 education since 1999. I am proud that both of my daughters are currently working in K-12 education, one as a paraprofessional and one as a mental health therapist. I have learned through their experiences that public schools in Nebraska are doing more with much, much less. I will ensure our public schools have the funding to retain our great teachers and give our kids a high-quality education. I believe public dollars belong in our public schools, and I am against overturning the will of the voters. In the Legislature, I will use my finance and budget experience to ensure the state is fully funding our schools, supporting our teachers, and giving our kids every opportunity to succeed.
Nebraska’s economy thrives when we support our small businesses, create good-paying jobs, and protect our workers' rights. Efforts by the Legislature to chip away at the minimum wage, which the voters overwhelmingly approved, hurt our middle class the most. I believe that when we have strong public schools, affordable housing, and good-paying jobs, we raise the tide for all boats. Our Legislature has the tools to support this economic development, and it’s time to get our priorities straight. I have the experience working with business groups and advocating for workers’ benefits to strengthen our middle class. If you work hard, you should be able to support your family and thrive in Nebraska. I’m ready to work for our hard-working people.
I am incredibly proud of my background. I was raised in Hartington, Nebraska, and spent my summers detasseling and walking beans. However, my district includes Ralston, parts of Millard, and a portion of Omaha. I know that the needs of rural Nebraska and the metro are very different. I want to listen to local leaders in each community about their needs, challenges, and priorities. Local control is important to me, and I will uplift the voices of everyone in our state. We need to support rural areas, while still addressing issues that urban areas are facing. I believe that my lived experience is invaluable here. Balance is key, and I will always listen to my constituents in District 12 and fight for our best interests.
The role of a state senator is to represent the people that they serve, work to keep us safe, and protect our rights. I believe that the Legislature is not listening to its people and has been actively overturning the will of the voters. As a senator, I will always listen, accept constituent feedback, and respect the people’s vote. I will bring my extensive fiscal and budgetary experience to the floor of the Legislature and fight to lower costs for families, expand affordable childcare, and stand up against corruption at every level. I pledge to hold annual town-halls to improve accessibility and transparency. My door will always be open to my constituents and the feedback will make me a stronger legislator in Lincoln.
Education
Associate Degree in Nursing.
Current Public Office, dates
None
Past Public Office, dates held
None
Military experience
None
Volunteer experience
Advocate and mutual aid.
Other Social Media
Instagram- Christyknorr4ne
Nebraska is full of hard-working families who contribute tax dollars that support public schools. When I have talked to constituents in district 12, they have expressed their concerns that these tax dollars stay in public schools. Public schools in Nebraska need the support of tax dollars not only for the education of our children but also for the support and retention of teachers. Constituents have concerns that these tax dollars are not being used effectively. I would introduce legislation that would use revenue from medical cannabis for funding schools and to provide some property tax relief.
Business and tax incentives are great tools to promote economic development. Paying a living wage and investing in our communities as well as our workforce will help to ensure that Nebraskans have the skills and resources needed to succeed. It is important to recognize not only the state's immediate needs but to look at our long-term goals for economic development. Providing policies that address these needs will ensure the states's economic future.
It is important to understand that the rural-urban dynamic is not a competition but a symbiotic relationship. Our state cannot thrive if our cities are failing and out rural communities are falling behind. I will spend time talking to constituents to determine the needs and challenges of our state and use that information to help shape policies that will be beneficial to the working class and our farmers.
The role of the state senator is to listen to Nebraskans and be willing to make sure they are heard, as well as to help balance the state budget. The reason I am running this cycle is that I am concerned that the will of the voters is not honored. Especially when it comes to the ballot initiatives that have been passed by voters. When I have been speaking with neighbors across the district, I have learned so much about their needs and concerns. District 12 deserves a state senator who will listen and represent the people, not special interest.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Business Finance, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Master of Arts, The University of Iowa, Health Care Policy and Management.
Current Public Office, dates
Former Ralston Board of Education, 2020 to date.
Past Public Office, dates held
Nebraska State Legislature, Legislative District 12, 2014-2018; Chair, Health & Human Services Commitee, 2016-2018
Military experience
U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, Honorable Discharge
Volunteer experience
Board member, Mid-America Council of Scouts, Omaha Symphony, Outlook Nebraska (Chair), United Way of the MIdlands (Vice-Chair), Nebraska Wesleyan University (president's advisory board), Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD)
We pride ourselves as providing a quality education and fund schools at a respectful level through property taxes.
I believe we need to consider school consolidation in rural communities for greater attraction and retention of teachers, offer greater courses; I believe retaining elementary schools in smaller towns closer to family with junior and senior high schools consolidated but not beyond a 15-20 minute drive time.
English preparation classes in early ages. My grandchildren in elementary took half their classes in English and half in Spanish (Arizona) and are now fluent in Spanish.
Two keys are affordable and accessible child care and housing. The question is who should pay: individual, employer and/or government. For child care, I believe it is a cost of labor and employers should buy vouchers (guaranteed cash flow for the child care operator) for each employee the business seek to employ or retain. Should government seek to be the primary provider, we will find the cost results into a major state agency. Tax credits work but result in lost revenue.
Each state is unique yet we must compete to attract and retain business with other states, mostly neighboring states. We seek to be fair much as one does when one has two or more children. Nebraska, more than Iowa, has a divided culture -- urban, which is growing and rural/frontier, which is losing population. We should focus on towns with greater than 10,000 or greater in rural Nebraska to maximize our effort and resources.
Every senator takes an oath to the constitution of the state--the entire state but is elected to represent a defined district. I make an effort to take calls, walk-ins, emails and letters from constituents. I read all the emails including those from outside my district. Coming from a modest background with good and reasonable parents, I feel my years in the hospital business resulted in my being a compassionate conservative and that has served me well. Government is not a business; government is responsible for doing what the private market can't or will not do.
