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UNL professor announces run for Legislature

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By NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007 - 07:45:48 pm CDT

Vern Barrett, of rural Ceresco, has announced he will run for the District 21 legislative seat, which includes northwest Lincoln, northwest Lancaster County and southern Saunders County.  

That seat is now held by Sen. Carol Hudkins, who cannot run for re-election because of term limits.

Barrett, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor, says he believes his many years of  leadership experience, working with organizations and communities, will be an asset to the Legislature.

Story Photo
Leverne Barrett

Barrett, 68, is a professor of leadership in the UNL Department of Agriculture, Leadership and Communications, and works on community development issues through UNL extension services.

In 1997 Barrett was  a leadership consultant to the governor of the Bio-Bio Province in Chile, an experience that gave him some insight into government operations, he says.

“I was there as a trainer, helping them be better leaders. And I was learning as well,” he said.

Barrett said he is a coalition builder and a listener and will be listening to voters during the campaign.

His district is a mix of demographics and includes small towns and part of Lincoln, farmers and acreage owners, wealthy and moderate income Nebraskans.  

“I’ve got to spend time listening to what those diverse needs are,” he said.

Barrett says he is a fiscal conservative who believes that government can do a better job of serving all the people.

Some of the challenges are education funding, services for an increasing number of senior citizens, allocation of water resources, provision for equitable health care and property taxes.

Barrett is a member of the UNL Academy of Distinguished Teachers. He was also a leadership consultant to universities in Chile and Mexico.

His memberships include the International Leadership Association, Association of Leadership Educators, the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, and the Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association.

Barrett and his wife, Nancy, live in rural Ceresco, where they have raised six children, according to a news release from the candidate.  

At least one other candidate, Tami Soper, has announced intentions to run for the District 21 seat.  Both Barrett and Soper are Democrats. State senators are elected on a non-partisan basis, but the two parties often encourage candidates and participate in campaigning.  

Reach at Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.


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great wrote on October 30, 2007 7:52 pm:
" Great, another liberal going from one job not in the real world, to another job not in the real world. "

 Whatever wrote on October 30, 2007 8:45 pm:
" He might not be too bad, once we know where he stands on the issues. We can assume a few things, one his kids went to a smaller school. I'm guessing Raymond Central or Bishop Neumann, so that would give some insight into the small school issues. We can also assume from his resume and location that he has insight into rural and city issues. Albeit where he lives isn't exactly rural like say Cherry County or Thayer County, but it beats another "out of touch" Lincolnite or some certified idiot like Ron Raikes. "

 time for new blood wrote on October 30, 2007 8:56 pm:
" The last thing we need is another elderly male senator in our legislature. Where are the women, when will this state have a legislature that represents all of the people of this state other than the male agricultural vision??? "

 AZ_Husker wrote on October 30, 2007 9:01 pm:
" Dr. Barrett, good luck on your run, It was a pleasure to work with and I am sure you would be great in the legislature. I would vote for you if I were still in Lincoln.I had to move to AZ to get a good paying job since I could not live off of what I was making there in lincoln. Two BSBA's and I had to leave the state, for a 63% pay raise. But I had the pleasure of working with you at IANR, I am positive you would make a great leader in the Legislature. "

 Justice wrote on October 30, 2007 11:35 pm:
" "Time for new blood", have you taken a look at the roster of women in the Legislature? There are 11 of 49 Senators who are women. 23% is pretty good when you consider the state is 4% black and 7% latino and there is not minority representation on that level. There are not as many old men as you may think and since every senator represents about 35,000 people, it's impossible for the majority to be rural-agricultural representatives when the majority represent Lincoln and Omaha. "

 Laurie wrote on October 31, 2007 5:03 am:
" Government could use more fiscally conservative members, no matter what their party affiliation. "

 Another Lib wrote on October 31, 2007 8:58 am:
" Give us a conservative please!!! "

 Mike wrote on October 31, 2007 10:00 am:
" do you even know Ron Raikes? He is a thoughtful & deliberate senator who has done a good job as Education Chair. Just because you disagree with his views on the Class I's doesn't mean he's an "idiot." "

 What? wrote on October 31, 2007 10:09 am:
" I'm just surprised "great" up there thinks fiscal conservative = another liberal, and that teaching isn't a job in the real world. Not that our kids' educations matter in the real world. That aside, I look forward to hearing more about all the candidates and hope for a good election in '08. "

 Alex S. wrote on October 31, 2007 10:55 am:
" " Great, another liberal going from one job not in the real world, to another job not in the real world. " I suggest you read the article again. The professor is a self-described fiscal conservative. "

 Brak Brak wrote on October 31, 2007 11:32 am:
" I agree. Another liberal going from one job not in the real world to another. He should be hanging drywall and plumbing like the rest of us idiots. Then he could lead really well. "

 self described consertative wrote on October 31, 2007 11:55 am:
" saying you are a fiscal consertative has about as much credibility as hillary saying she is a friendly and compasionate person...the proof is in the pudding...and as a professor in the UNL system, his liberal environment will surely shape his views. "

 Lisa wrote on October 31, 2007 1:02 pm:
" Another old white male. I guess he probably is representative of the district he is striving for. I am interested in his views. "

 CS wrote on October 31, 2007 1:29 pm:
" I am laughing at the fact that the University is 'liberal' environment, yet most of the successful 'conservatives' have to have a college education to get to a point powerful enough to exert their influence over the majority of people that want to be left alone. Good enough to send yourselves or your kids to but not good enough for a leader to come from. Thats rich. The mantra of conservatism to those on welfare or that are immigrants is to get educated and get a job, but you denigrate the college system as some bastion of liberalness. What hypocrisies. "

 foxspit wrote on October 31, 2007 1:31 pm:
" If the conservatives are this afraid of Barrett already, he can't be all bad. ;-) "

 NavyFlyBoy wrote on October 31, 2007 1:45 pm:
" Thomas Jefferson was a liberal thinker. Maybe we should have ignored his crackpot writings and stuck with the Brits. For heavens sake, don't pre-judge the man. Listen to what he has to say and then start chucking your spears. I'd love to think I'm out here defending people with open minds and a few who support the democratic process. I grew up thinking I was a conservative. I'm starting to think conservative means 'sticking with what you know' and not letting anything from today cloud our 'judgement'. Don't kill an idea before it's born. "

 Matt Poulsen wrote on October 31, 2007 1:52 pm:
" Why is it that someone who works as a professor is "not working in the real world". Do you know how ignorant that sounds?? Why is it that someone who thinks for a living and educates the youth of the state is somehow "not in the real world". The mindset of some of the posters on this board just floors me. You have no idea about his policy suggestions. He's an ag professor, lives in rural Ceresco, and has a lot of experience in the ag area, including international experience. What about this guy, other than teaching college, makes him a "crazy liberal". "

 real world wrote on October 31, 2007 2:15 pm:
" Maybe if we paid "real" wages for senators in this state people who do "real world jobs" could afford to leave their "real world jobs" and hold office and represent us that live in the "real world" "

 Thanks! wrote on October 31, 2007 4:10 pm:
" I'm glad to know you think my dad is an idiot for being a plumber. People who do construction for a living are not idiots! That means electricians, plumbers, drywallers, painters, framers, roofers, etc. They are educated, too! I can't even believe the snotty people on here making comments like that. I hope tonight when it's cold you can appreciate the nice roof over your head that some idiot put there. "

 Hjalmer wrote on October 31, 2007 8:04 pm:
" Hey Brak, Brak How many of you shingle your own house? Well, a couple of summers ago, Vern was up on his 2-story-farm-house, with a steep roof, putting a new roof on all by himself. He couldn't get me to climb up there. The guy cut down trees, had them sawed into lumber, let them cure, and a couple of years later built his new garage with the lumber. Sounds pretty careful with his money to me. Vern and Nancy's children that all got good educations and are off living their own productive positive lives. "

 Jim wrote on October 31, 2007 8:43 pm:
" Well, the race is off to a good start; people seem to be making a lot of assumptions and have started the name calling. But what is fiscal conservative? Let's hear him out. Better serving the people? -- what does that mean? What kind of services - old or new - fit into a fiscally conservative mold? This is one of the "rurban" type districts -- what ideas can he bring to bear on development and schools, on community and leadership development? Forget (better, stop) the simple name calling and let's get some elaboration on the issues. "

 Brak brak wrote on October 31, 2007 11:31 pm:
" It was a play off of the "great" comment. Lighten up. I think he would make a great representative. "

 Registered Democrat wrote on November 1, 2007 12:41 am:
" He's a registered Democrat (in Saunders County), if that interests anyone. It might interest voters in District 21, because they liked Hudkins (a Republican) so much that no Democrat ran against her in 2004. She ought to retire now, so that Heinemann can appoint a Republican successor, and then they can run as an incumbent, with all of the advantages that brings. Let's see if Hudkins is crafty enough to do it... "

 Partisanship wrote on November 1, 2007 8:28 am:
" Looks to me like this gentleman has spent a career working and volunteering with leaders of every political stripe. The last thing we need in the Legislature is another partisan on the liberal-conservative curve, particularly at the low rate of pay we provide, so I'm glad Barrett is running. "

 To all complaining... wrote on November 1, 2007 10:31 am:
" Perhaps you could stop complaining and maybe...gasp!...vote in the election? You know, voting, the most common form of political participation and how you can actually have your voice heard?!?!?! "

 Christine wrote on November 1, 2007 10:37 am:
" Good to hear that someone with leadership experience and an understanding of rural/agriculture needs is looking for a place in the government. Best of luck! New Blood: If you want more women in the legislature, then more women should run. Don't penalize Dr. Barrett because of who he is. And don't vote for someone just because of their physical attributes. Vote for what people who will represent your interests, whoever they are. I have seen many men in government who can handle women's issues in politics better than some women in government have. Lay off, and vote for the best representation. By your methods, I should just start voting for people who only have blonde hair, etc. "

 One more thing wrote on November 1, 2007 10:44 am:
" Does anyone have the right to discriminate against jobs? Plumber, Professor, whatever. They are all jobs that require a certain skill set and hard work. Just because they aren't the same doesn't mean any is more deserving than the other. You don't want to be discriminated against, then don't discriminate against others. I got Brak's joke; should I be surprised that others didn't? "

 Hypocrite wrote on November 1, 2007 11:36 am:
" Another old white male, huh? If I say another female or another latino or another black person or ... I'd be shot and everyone would be up in arms. Stop practicing what you preach against - you hypocrite. "

 Lincolnite wrote on November 1, 2007 11:42 am:
" Some of the previous comments talk as if Professor Barrett has already won the job. Last I knew there, candidates are those who are running for the job. If you don't want "another liberal" in the Legislature - fine. Vote for the candidate of your choice when the time comes. In the meantime, let's give all the candidates a chance to teach us about them and their views on the issues. "

 i agree wrote on November 1, 2007 11:58 am:
" i agree that being a professor incubates yourself in a culture that is primarily liberal. I would prefer an elected leader to have experience outside of the university environment. "

 Ghost busters wrote on November 1, 2007 12:02 pm:
" To quote a line from one of my favorite movies "I cannot go back into the private sector...unlike the University...they expect results." I agree, the university environment and political environment are not the same as the rest of the world...but that does not make these people bad. (ok, so the politicians are) "

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