Incumbent State Senator Merv Riepe and challenger Christy Knorr are spending the last days of the campaign traveling through Central Omaha, Ralston and West Omaha to meet voters in Nebraska’s 12th Legislative District. Both candidates are emphasizing how their personal experiences shape their priorities as they seek the seat in the state legislature.
Candidate backgrounds
Riepe, a retired hospital executive, is running for a second consecutive term and his third overall after first winning the seat in 2014. He describes himself as a swing vote on several issues, including abortion access and the state’s method of awarding presidential electoral votes.
Knorr, a registered hospice nurse, says her own life story motivated her to run. “At one time I was a welfare mom who lived in housing,” she told 3 News Now’s Jeremy Fredricks. “I had a caseworker who believed in me and gave me a chance and helped me get resources, and here we are now. I’m a practicing hospice nurse.” When asked if her background influences her decision to run, Knorr replied, “As a nurse, I want people to be taken care of.”
Key issues
Both candidates support keeping Nebraska’s current “blue‑dot” system for allocating presidential electoral votes, which awards one electoral vote to the statewide winner and the remaining votes by congressional district. Riepe said, “That includes winner‑take‑all, and I stuck with that, and quite frankly, in the campaign, we’ve promoted that.” Knorr added, “Of course I’m going to vote to keep the blue dot. It’s important.”
Health‑care policy also features prominently. Knorr highlighted affordability and the importance of medical cannabis, stating, “Medical cannabis is really important to me. We have not followed the will of the voter at all.” Riepe, while not focusing on that issue, emphasized broader fiscal responsibility, noting, “We have to balance the budget. But how do you get there if we’re spending more money than we have?” He explained his approach: “Well, you have to find areas where you can cut, reduce, or, um, it’s that simple. You can’t spend money you don’t have.”
Campaign outlook
The race remains competitive as both candidates continue to engage directly with constituents through town‑hall meetings, door‑to‑door visits and local events. Riepe’s record as a swing vote on contentious issues may appeal to moderate voters, while Knorr’s health‑care background and personal story aim to resonate with families and seniors.
Both candidates say they will keep speaking with voters through Election Day, encouraging Nebraskans to consider how each platform aligns with their values and the needs of the district.
What’s next
Voters in the 12th Legislative District can expect additional candidate forums and outreach efforts in the coming weeks. The election will be held on November 3, 2026, and the winner will join the Nebraska Legislature to shape policy on budget matters, health‑care, and the state’s role in the national electoral process.
Original reporting: KMTV 3 News Now (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
