Leadership bankers seek seats in Nebraska legislature

Two bankers are running for the Nebraska legislature, the 49-seat Senate that constitutes the country's only unicameral. John P. Stinner, CEO of Valley Bank & Trust Company of Gering is running to represent Senate District 48, while Matt Williams, president of Gothenburg State Bank in Gothenburg is running for the Senate seat in District 36. Both won primaries on May 13 and will be on the ballot in the general election set for Nov. 4..The Nebraska legislature is non-partisan so candidates do not wear party labels, although Stinner and Williams would identify with the Republican Party. Primaries narrow the field to two candidates but since both races featured only two candidates, the general election for Districts 36 and 48 will be repeats of the primaries with the same people on the ballot. "I wish we only had to do this once," Williams said in reference to the primary and general elections. Stinner noted that a significant win in the primary can help a candidate raise campaign funds. Both candidates said it costs about $100,000 to run an effective campaign..Stinner concluded a year as chairman of the Nebraska Bankers Association at the NBA convention on May 9. He said he's had a very busy year serving the NBA, running his bank and running a campaign, but Stinner said he's always been busy and doesn't mind the workload..Stinner said his experience with the NBA got him thinking about running for the state Senate. He contemplated the move during the last six weeks of 2013; in early January 2014, he announced his candidacy. Since then, Stinner said he has been knocking on doors and attending events to meet people throughout his district in the western part of the state..Stinner, 62, said he has a great bank staff, giving him the confidence to make the time commitment inherent in elected office. "Five years ago, I was not in a position to even think about this," he said..Property taxes and water management are the top issues, he said. The tax environment, he said, is an economic development issue. Tax modernization could mean an opportunity to attract more businesses to Nebraska, which could mean additional job opportunities, he said..Stinner, who served 10 years on his school board, said working together is essential. "Consensus building is all part of it," he said. "You have to bring people together.".Williams, chairman of the American Bankers Association in 2012-13, said he has worked in advocacy for a long time; as a candidate for public office, he adds topics such as taxes and education to agriculture and banking to his advocacy roster. Williams was chairman of the Nebraska Bankers Association in 2003-2004..Williams, 64, is a fourth-generation banker who initially intended to become an attorney before circumstances led him to the helm of the family bank in central Nebraska. "The people of District 36 want someone with an ag background and business experience," Williams said, "and I have both.".Williams noted that because of the state's term limits, elected officials have to "hit the ground running" and that means they should have "proven leadership skills." Williams said he fits the bill. "It is imperative that we have people in the Senate who can be effective from day one," he said..Issues Williams highlights on his campaign website are: improve Nebraska's rural economy; control government spending; attract good, high-paying jobs to Nebraska communities; ensure children have access to a great education, and advocate for agriculture..Williams' opponent is Luis Sotelo, while Stinner is running against Mike Meister, an attorney.