Herbster and Pillen criticized for skipping Nebraska governor’s debate | Politics

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Pillen, a University of Nebraska regent and cattle rancher, won the organization’s endorsement after an investigation found Farm Bureau Counties backed her “resoundingly,” said President Mark McHargue.

Asked about the decision not to debate, Pillen mentioned debates at a Farm Bureau forum in December, a “Cow Country Governors Forum” at Hyannis High School in January, and another forum coming this week in Lincoln. .

“We’re getting our message across the state,” he said. “And we spread it from eye to eye.”

In a prepared statement after the press conference, campaign manager Kenny Zoeller said the two forums Pillen had participated in so far had not provided questions in advance.

“Jim is the only candidate in this race to have campaigned in all 93 counties of Nebraska,” Zoeller said. “We have never asked questions in advance as a condition of participating in a debate, and any claim to the contrary is false.”

He said Pillen is “focused on meeting with voters and listening directly to their questions and concerns,” and that would remain the campaign’s “planning priority.”

Herbster’s campaign manager Ellen Keast also said the campaign never asked questions and said she “never technically declined to participate in the debate.” When asked if they were willing to participate in the debate, Keast replied that she had no comment.

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