LINCOLN- Elizabeth Tegtmeier of North Platte, Sherry Jones of Grand Island, and Kirk Penner of Aurora all finished the primary night holding wide margins over their general election opponents.

The fourth candidate, Marni Hodgen, advanced to the general election as well, edging out former state board member John Sieler in the Douglas County district. If they maintain their margins in the general election, the board will have some new conservative faces in January. To win seats, they will have to beat four candidates backed by the Nebraska state teachers union: Robin Stevens, Danielle Helzer, Helen Raikes and Deborah Neary. All four of them advanced.

“I think for so long, the state board has flown under people’s radar, and this past year has really highlighted that our representatives are not reflective of the voters,” Tegtmeier said. “Instead, they seem to be the mouthpiece for special interest groups.”

The four conservative candidates were endorsed by the Protect Nebraska Children PAC, the group that mounted a relentless fight against proposed health education standards last year.

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