Incumbent State Sen. Mike Jacobson has a challenger for re-election in District 42 — Shaylee Scranton of Thedford.
Jacobson, 72, is the CEO of Nebraskaland Bank and a farmer. He was appointed to the Legislature in February 2022 to fill out the term of Mike Groene. He was elected that fall in the general election and is running for his second full term.
Shaylee Scranton, 27, is a rancher and political newcomer.
District 42 consists of Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Thomas, Hooker and the majority of Perkins counties in west central Nebraska.
We asked the candidates to tell us about their experience and what they would do if elected. Here’s what they said:
Experience/qualifications
Mike Jacbson: I grew up on a share-rented farm near Sutton and earned degrees in agricultural economics and agricultural education from UNL. I taught agriculture, worked in agricultural lending, and later built a community bank in North Platte. That experience gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing farmers, businesses, and families. In the Legislature, I chair the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee and serve as vice chair of the Revenue Committee.
Shaylee Scranton: I grew up south of Thedford on the family ranch and returned home after graduating from Doane University in 2020. Helping people, learning, and being creative are some of my strengths, and I’ve found myself in various customer service positions over the years.
Although I am not an expert on any one particular thing, I am able to grasp different concepts with ease. If elected, I will re-create what it means to connect with your elected representative. Creating a ‘Constituent Relationship Management’ system will be vital to ensuring that every voice is heard.
What motivated you to run?
Jacobson: I’ve valued the opportunity to listen to people across District 42 and to bring their concerns to the Legislature. Those conversations have reinforced the importance of our district having a strong voice in Lincoln. I’m running again because I care about this community and want to continue serving the people who placed their trust in me.
Scranton: My whole life, ‘politician’ has been synonymous with ‘crooked.’ This has always greatly disturbed me — these people are supposed to be our leaders, writing the laws that impact our lives, and nobody seems to trust any of them? I have always been interested in learning about the world around me, and I figured I could try to be someone who shows that an elected official can act with honesty, humility, and integrity.
Is there something specific that you hope to accomplish?
Jacobson: I want to continue working toward meaningful property tax relief and a broader tax base so that homeowners, farmers, and businesses are not carrying so much of the burden. I also want to keep state spending in check and support policies that help Nebraska communities attract investment and create good jobs.
Scranton: I intend to review the long history of laws passed in our state. Ideally, I hope to gain a better understanding of which actions by the state have caused the decline in small towns. I enjoy learning and seeking guidance from wise voices who have been around long enough to live through the impacts of laws passed by the state. As mentioned previously, I would like to create a system to aid in ensuring all voices are heard, from a wide range of perspectives, in order to ensure we can make the best decisions based on the past, present, and what we hope for our future.
What needs to be done in regard to the development of data centers?
Jacobson: Data centers can bring investment and economic opportunity to Nebraska, and communities should have the chance to consider projects that fit their needs. At the same time, these facilities can require significant electricity and infrastructure, so the costs and benefits need to be understood before agreements are made. Taxpayers and ratepayers should not be left paying costs that belong to a project. I support clear, consistent state rules for future data centers, including clarity about tax incentives, while honoring agreements already in place.
Scranton: Hyperscale data center development needs to be halted immediately. The general public is not well informed enough about the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) to make good decisions about development on short notice. In 2014, the state passed NRS 77-5702, which made attracting large data centers a specific state policy. There is something quite fishy about large data centers becoming such a ‘hot topic’ only now, when the legislature recommended recruiting them 12 years ago. If things were being done right, the general public would have been well-informed about what the state’s priorities are and would not be scrambling to catch up 12 years after the fact.
What are Nebraska’s rural health care needs and how would you address then?
Jacobson: Rural Nebraskans need dependable access to hospitals, emergency care and health professionals close to home. Recruiting and retaining providers is a major challenge, and rural hospitals need a stable path to continue serving their communities. Through my work with Great Plains Health and rural health leaders, I’ve seen how important it is to listen to providers and local communities. The state should work with them on practical solutions that fit the needs of rural Nebraska.
Scranton: I spoke to a constituent from a very remote area who said that she cannot make the drive to Omaha to receive the care she needs for her condition. She is unable to receive needed care within the district. This is heartbreaking and unacceptable. In order to provide better care for those far away from population centers, we need to focus on making local care options feasible to operate and affordable for constituents. For difficult ailments, better transportation systems are necessary to help folks get to the care centers that can provide advanced treatment.
An ongoing source of controversy is high property taxes vs. the cost of state services? How would you address it?
Jacobson: Property taxes are too high, but shifting costs from one taxpayer to another does not fix the problem. We need to control spending, look for efficiencies, and grow the economy so the tax base is broader. State and local governments must be responsible with taxpayer dollars while continuing to provide the services Nebraskans depend on.
Scranton: State spending needs to be scrutinized. Over $800 million of our tax dollars were given away in the form of tax credits for large data center developers through the ImagiNE Nebraska Act. Hyperscale developers may bring strong growth while they are being built, but they do not provide many long-term jobs. The price-per-job we are spending to attract ‘jobs’ to our state needs to be examined. There needs to be less state spending on ‘economic development,’ as economic development should not be centralized and guided by the state in the first place.
What qualities make an excellent state senator?
Jacobson: I believe an excellent state senator listens carefully, takes time to understand each issue, and considers how decisions will affect constituents. It is important to reach across the aisle and work with colleagues to find good solutions, while having the courage to do what is right and remaining accountable to the people I represent. I try to bring that approach to my work every day.
Scranton: Honesty, integrity, and humility should be core values of any elected official. They should not take campaign contributions from out-of-state influences. Their focus should be on serving their constituents. They should be able to understand a wide range of topics and talk to many different walks of life. In an ideal world, a non-partisan elected official should work to earn the support of ALL viewpoints, not just those along party lines. In District 42 in particular, a state senator should harbor a deep appreciation and respect for the land that supports our livelihoods.
Other comments
Other comments –
Jacobson: I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve District 42. I’ll continue listening to constituents and working for a stronger Nebraska, with a growing economy and a more sustainable tax burden for families, farmers and businesses.
Scranton: I would like to clarify that I am non-partisan and not running on behalf of any political party. I love Republicans, and I love Democrats! I have had great conversations with folks from diverse backgrounds. Conversely, I do not harbor a favorable view of either the Republican or Democratic Parties as a whole.
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