ORD — Ethan Clark is currently running for the Nebraska Legislature’s District 41 seat.
Speaking on his background, Clark said he is a resident of Ord and lives with his wife, Elziabeth, and is expecting their first child. He works at Acres Equipment, a John Deere dealer.
Clark has experience with the Unicameral, having worked for a former senator. He also has worked in Washington D.C. for a number of members of Congress, including Senator Deb Fischer and Congressman Adrian Smith.
Clark said he feels this unique experience will serve him well, not only working on a daily basis with ag producers, but also knowing the ins and outs of politics and legislation.
“That will help me hit the ground running at the Legislature,” Clark said. He noted the Unicameral is unique among the 50 states and said its workings are unique, which could take someone time to adjust to, but he noted his past experience working with the body.
District 41 is currently represented by Senator Fred Meyer, who was appointed to the position in 2023 to replace Senator Tom Briese, who was appointed as State Treasurer by Governor Jim Pillen.
“I am truly running on behalf of our rural communities, to make sure our small towns have a leg to stand on at the Legislature,” Clark said.
“That will help me hit the ground running at the Legislature,” Clark said. He noted the Unicameral is unique among the 50 states and said its workings are unique, which could take someone time to adjust to, but he noted his past experience working with the body.
District 41 is currently represented by Senator Fred Meyer, who was appointed to the position in 2023 to replace Senator Tom Briese, who was appointed as State Treasurer by Governor Jim Pillen.
Clark said that “more powerful voices” are needed for rural Nebraska, citing that majority of the Unicameral is comprised of senators from Lincoln and Omaha.
When asked what the most pressing issues District 41 was facing, Clark said property taxes is the number one thing you will hear about if you ask people about it. He said the tax system cannot just work for one segment of the state.
To address this, Clark said state spending needs to be cut and emphasized that the Unicameral needs to cease sending unfunded mandates down to local government. “Its getting a little ridiculous at this point,” Clark said of the mandates.
To help reduce these, Clark said that conversations about them need to happen first, with the subject not coming up as often as it likely should when the Unicameral is in session.
Questioned about involving others in his decision making, Clark said that getting constituents involvement is one of the most important things a state senator can do. “I’m trying to be a representative, not a politician.”
He also wants to involve experts on specific subjects to reach out to him and offer their views on legislation. He said representatives need those with in-depth knowledge to offer information so they can make informed votes.
When asked about the government’s role in the lives of citizens, Clark said the government must protect citizens, especially from foreign adversaries, but staying out of the way of the citizen is important to him. “Small government is good government, big government is bad government,” Clark summarized.
In conclusion, Clark said that voters can be assured that he has legitimate experience with the network to get things done down in Lincoln.
Editor’s Note: Ethan Clark appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using information provided during that interview. The full interview can be found here.
