New Political Action Committee tries to brand Nebraska State Board of Education grassroots candidates ‘radical extremists’

A new Political Action Committee in Nebraska launched a single-page website attacking a group of conservative State Board of Education candidates as “extremists” with “outrageous, contemptible views.” 

The PAC, called Trust Nebraska Teachers, purports to “educate voters about the harmful, extreme positions of a self-proclaimed ‘dream team’ that is running to take over the Nebraska State Board of Education,” according to a press release.  

The effort targets candidates Kirk Penner, Sherry Jones, Elizabeth Tegtmeier and Marni Hodgen.  

The four candidates share similar outlooks on the future of Nebraska education, which has led them to join forces in their effort to gain seats on the State Board of Education, with each frequently campaigning with the others.  

They want to return local control to public schools and bring decision-making closer to the parents and students of each district. 

The Trust Nebraska Teachers website describes the conservative candidates as “politicians,” though three of the four have never held elective office. Only Penner has run for office before. 

The release also makes heavy use of derisive language, repeatedly talking of “exposing” the candidates for their “radical” views.  

“This so-called ‘dream team’ is more accurately termed the ‘extreme team’,” claims De Tonack, treasurer of the PAC and long-time teacher. 

The PAC promotes opposing candidates Helen Raikes, Danielle Helzer, Robin Stevens and Deb Neary, who it calls “public school proud.” A 30-second advertisement on its website describes the conservative candidates bent on “defunding public schools” and “raising property taxes.” 

The races feature political newcomers with considerable grassroots support against three well-entrenched incumbent politicians and one newcomer.  

The latter group has been supportive of highly controversial sex education standards and gender ideology programs. Each of the liberal candidates also deny that Critical Race Theory is taught in Nebraska schools, but nonetheless advocate for its essential elements to inform curricula. 

The Trust Nebraska Teachers PAC formed just weeks before the election, a possible indication its sponsors are unsure of their candidates’ appeal. Typically, such committees are formed at the beginning of a campaign, not within days of the election.