KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney’s American Democracy Project is hosting a public forum featuring candidates for a variety of local positions.
The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday in Copeland Hall, Room 140, on the UNK campus. There is no cost to attend. A Zoom option is available at https://unk.zoom.us/j/98269377449.
Each candidate will discuss their platform and answer questions from the audience. Advocates and opponents of the Nebraska ballot initiatives – a voter ID requirement and state minimum wage increase – were also invited to speak.
The following candidates have agreed to participate:
Kearney City Council
- Randy Buschkoetter
- Tami Moore
Kearney Public Schools Board of Education
- Drew Blessing
- John Icenogle
Nebraska State Board of Education
- Danielle Helzer
University of Nebraska Board of Regents
- Julie Hehnke
Buffalo County Clerk of the District Court
- Regina Forshee-Bedke
Central Community College Board of Governors
- Roger Davis
Civic Nebraska in opposition to the voter ID initiative
- Nathan Leach
Established in 2003 as a nonpartisan initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Democracy Project is a network of nearly 300 schools focused on public higher education’s role in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens and community leaders.
At UNK, the group is governed by an advisory council comprised of students, staff and faculty representing all three academic colleges, plus graduate studies and Calvin T. Ryan Library.

