LINCOLN — Is it a political gaffe to describe the condition of Nebraska roads and broadband coverage as “not that bad?”

That question sparked debate in some political circles after Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen offered that comment during a debate last weekend. He was responding to a question on what Nebraska should do with the $2.5 billion it expects to receive from the infrastructure bill recently signed into law by President Joe Biden.

During the Nebraska Farm Bureau’s political forum, Pillen and five other GOP candidates for governor were asked how they would use the money coming to Nebraska to help farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

Pillen, who is a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, responded that while there were “great opportunities” for spending on roads and broadband internet service, federal spending was “out of whack.” He described the infrastructure bill in three words: “big, government, socialism.”

“Could we use some money for roads and broadband? Maybe, but not today; they’re not that bad,” Pillen said. “We need to wait until the conservatives get back in charge, and then we give money and use it correctly.”

Some, including Pillen’s chief opponent, Charles Herbster, seized on the comment, saying it was a mistake to describe Nebraska’s highway system and broadband coverage as “not that bad.” The comment was compared to a political gaffe in 1988 when then-Sen. David Karnes said Nebraska needed “fewer farmers.” The remark led to Karnes’ defeat and a victory by Democrat Bob Kerrey.

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