Voters in Legislative District 38 will choose a successor to Sen. Dave Murman this fall as two candidates outline differing approaches to the state budget shortfall, property taxes and support for rural communities.
District and candidates
District 38 covers seven counties in southern Nebraska and is home to roughly 40,000 residents. The open seat drew Sutton Mayor Tim Anderson and Janelle Anderson Ehrke, chief executive officer of Grow Nebraska, both of whom campaigned on addressing fiscal pressures and rural needs ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Budget deficit and spending priorities
Nebraska faces a budget gap that exceeds $200 million. Both candidates said the deficit will dominate the legislative session and require difficult choices on spending and revenues.
- Tim Anderson said lawmakers must protect core services and vulnerable groups while trimming spending where possible.
- Janelle Anderson Ehrke said the state will likely need a mix of targeted spending reductions and revenue options to maintain essential services.
“When you make the cuts or the tax ask, you need to have someone who’s going to go to bat for the first responders, for the families with loved ones with disabilities,” Anderson said. “These guys have got to be watched over. And I know with the deficit, that’s going to be the number one issue going into this session.”
Property taxes and rural services
Property taxes remain a prominent concern across the state and a frequent topic of conversation in District 38. Each candidate framed relief differently.
Anderson warned that property tax increases disproportionately harm people on fixed incomes and low wages, and emphasized electing officials who will be careful stewards of public money. Anderson Ehrke called for identifying new revenue sources alongside policies to spur growth as part of a broader property tax strategy, and stressed preserving rural services.
Next steps and campaign focus
Both campaigns said they are engaging voters across the district in the final days of the campaign and highlighted that balancing fiscal discipline with protection of essential services will be a priority if elected.
The winner will join the 49-member Nebraska Legislature in January to help set policy and the state budget for the coming year.
