Lancaster County Commissioner Larry Hudkins, who has served more than 20 years on the board, announced his bid for re-election Thursday.
JEAN ORTIZ / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:00 pm
Lancaster County Commissioner Larry Hudkins, who has served more than 20 years on the board, announced his bid for re-election Thursday.
Hudkins was first appointed to the board in 1987 and elected in 1988. He holds the title of longest-serving commissioner among the five on the board.
He represents District 2, which covers northwestern sections of Lancaster County.
The new jail project will be among the challenges facing the county and Hudkins said he believes his experience of having been a commissioner when the current jail was built will prove an asset.
He has invested a lot of time and energy in the jail project and wants to remain on the board to see it through, he said.
He stressed the need to continue to balance the budget and to keep up essential services to residents across Lancaster County, despite the jail’s cost.
Hudkins and his wife of 43 years, state Sen. Carol Hudkins, live on a cattle farm near Malcolm. They have two grown daughters.
Before serving on the board, Hudkins sat on the Malcolm School Board for 11 years.
Among his extensive community involvement, Hudkins has served as president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, president of the Lincoln/Lancaster Board of Health, president of the National Association of Local Boards of Health and president of the Nebraska Ag Relations Council. In November, he was elected president of the Nebraska Rural Radio Association.
As a county commissioner, he has served on several boards and committees including three stints as chairman of the County Board and the Lincoln/Lancaster County District Energy Commission. He chairs the Lincoln/Lancaster County Public Building Commission.
Hudkins is one of two incumbents seeking re-election to the board. Bernie Heier has entered the race for the District 4 seat, which covers most of eastern Lancaster County.
Hudkins will face challenger Barbara Baier, who now serves on the Lincoln school board. Heier is being challenged by Nancy Intermill of Lincoln.
Friday was the deadline for incumbents to file for re-election for the primary. Others have until March 3.
The primary is set May 13. The general election is Nov. 4.
Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com.