LINCOLN SEN. ANNA WISHART REFLECTS ON 'BEST CHAPTER OF HER LIFE' AS SHE, AND 14 COLLEAGUES DEPART LEGISALTURE

LINCOLN- After eight years as a lawmaker, Sen. Anna Wishart, who represents legislative district 27 in Lincoln, will soon leave her post due to term limits. Wishart is the only Lincoln-area lawmaker representing a slice of the city who will be unable to return to the Capitol in 2025. She said she doesn't plan to return to the body after four or eight years, as some other lawmakers have done, like Sen. Danielle Conrad and former Sen. Ernie Chambers.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee for eight years, Wishart said she was most proud of helping to secure $180 million to develop a second source of drinking water for Lincoln and for successfully advocating for extended Medicaid coverage for new mothers. "Anna is a champion for her constituents, her district, the city of Lincoln, the state of Nebraska," said Sen. Eliot Bostar.

Wishart also became a leading force behind the movement to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska, and prioritized the issue as a lawmaker. Although she'll leave the Legislature without successfully completing that endeavor, she said she will still work to advance a petition drive to place the issue on the 2024 ballot.

Along with Wishart, 15 senators are departing the legislature this year due to term limits or not seeking another term. Of the departing, 10 are registered Republicans, and five are Democrats in the officially, non-partisan Legislature, where 33 of its current 49 members belong to the GOP. The 2024 elections will determine if Republicans retain a filibuster-proof majority. Members of this group navigated the state through COVID-19, as well as the contentious 2023 session.

Those who are term-limited include Senators Joni Albrecht, Carol Blood, Bruce Bostelman, Tom Brewer, Steve Erdman, Steve Halloran, Lou Ann Linehan, John Lowe, Mike McDonnell, Tony Vargas, Lynne Walz, Justin Wayne, and Anna Wishart. Those opting out of running for reelection include Senator Julie Slama and newly appointed Senator Fred Meyer.

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