Dan Quick, (Central Nebraska Today, KGFW)
GRAND ISLAND — Dan Quick is currently running for the Nebraska Legislature’s District 35 seat.
“I’m announcing my candidacy for state legislature because for me it’s about caring for the people you serve and introducing policy that will improve their lives,” Quick stated in a press release.
Speaking to his background, Quick said he and his wife have resided in Grand Island since 1980, he said he worked at the Grand Island Power Plant for 28 years.
He also served as President and Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1597 and as President of the Nebraska State Utility Workers Conference.
District 35 is currently represented by Senator Raymond Aguilar, who was most recently elected to the seat in 2020.
Quick previously represented the district, being elected in 2017 and serving until 2020. While in office, he served on the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance, General Affairs, Natural Resources, and Urban Affairs committees.
Quick was appointed by the Legislature to serve on the committee that addressed concerns about conditions of assisted living facilities for residents who suffer from mental health issues. He was also appointed to serve on the Economic Development Task Force and the Juvenile Interstate Compact.
““We passed legislation to increase access to early childhood education, to add protections to keep dangerous and addictive tobacco and vaping products out of the hands of our children, another to strengthen laws to combat human trafficking, and another to address vacant and abandoned properties in our communities,” Quick said in a press release.
He now sits on the Central Community College board of governors and serves on the Blessed Sacrament Parish Council, the Heartland United Way Board of Directors, the Nebraska Alliance of Child Advocacy Centers Board of Directors, and other related committees.
Quick said the four years that he served in the Unicameral helped him to understand the legislature process, how to assist his community, how to stay in contact while serving in Lincoln and how to listen to their concerns.
Before the primary election in the spring, Quick had set about canvasing the district and going door-to-door to meet and speak with residents. He felt this was a better way to connect with voters than a mailer or ad.
Quick said he felt like the hands-on approach paid dividends when it came to the results of the spring election. Quick captured 1,659 votes or 51.3 percent, while Ray Aguilar received 1,575 or 48.7 percent.
Both men will advance as the primary election results determine the top two candidates who will advance to the November general election for district seats.
Since the spring, Quick said he has made 11,000 personal visits to residents’ homes in District 35. He plans to hit 12,000 before the general election.
During those visits, Quick said the most common concern he has heard from people is property taxes. He said the Legislature needs to take steps to ensure that people are not priced out of their homes.
“We need to focus on policies that will benefit Nebraskans with issues they face each and every day. I will work to improve the economic well-being of our residents – supporting small businesses and bringing back manufacturing jobs to the area, lowering the cost of healthcare, and shielding Nebraskans from the impact of out-of-control property taxes and valuations,” Quick stated in a press release when addressing his priorities.
When questioned about unfunded mandates from the Unicameral, Quick said he was never in favor of these and said he is a proponent of local control over matters, rather than the state handing down a mandate to the municipalities and counties.
In conclusion, Quick said he wants voters to understand that he is going from door to door, speaking with constituents because he cares about his community. “I am there for them, if I am elected, I look forward to working with them on bills that would help.”
Editor’s Note: Dan Quick appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using information provided during that interview. The full interview can be found here.
