Incumbents advance in NPPD races

 No comments  
 E-mail Story
 Print Story
  Share

 digg it!
 Facebook
 del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit

Text Size: 

Tools Sponsor

By the Lincoln Journal Star

Both Southeast Nebraska incumbents on the Nebraska Public Power District board of directors advanced to the November general election.

Mary Harding, 53, of Lincoln, seeking her second term on the board, easily outdistanced three challengers for the Subdivision 2 seat, which includes only Lancaster County. Glen R. Schmieding finished second to earn a spot on the general election ballot.

Harding, a Democrat, is executive director of the Nebraska League of Conservation Voters and former executive director of the Nebraska Environmental Trust. Schmieding, 70, a Republican, is the retired general manager of Norris Public Power District, with 37 years’ experience in electric utility operations.

[+]Enlarge

Mary Harding

Mary Harding

In Subdivision 9, which serves eight counties, incumbent Larry Kuncl of Columbus finished ahead of five opponents. Kuncl, 69, is seeking a third term on the 11-member board. A Republican, Kuncl is a professional engineer and retired electric utility manager.

Also advancing to the general election was Jerry Chlopek, 61, of Columbus, who has 40 years’ experience with public power in Nebraska, including 25 years as a supervisor. He also is a Republican.

In unofficial results tallied by the Journal Star from eight counties, Chlopek outpolled Shirley Petsche, 59, of Petersburg by only 25 votes. Petsche is retired economic development director for Boone County.

Subdivision 9 serves Boone, Nance, Howard, Platte, Colfax, Polk, Butler and Saunders counties.

In two other subdivisions, 1 and 7, both candidates advanced to the general election.