Nebraska Republican U-S Senator Deb Fischer, a rancher from rural Valentine, has officially announced she’s running for a third term next year.
Fischer told reporters at the first of the year that she was planning on running, then delivered the official word Wednesday at a rally at the State Capitol surrounded by long-time supporters, high-ranking community leaders, and current and former elected officials.
Fischer was a 2-term state senator when she entered the U-S Senate race in 2012 as a big underdog to Attorney General Jon Bruning and State Treasurer Don Stenberg but won the GOP primary. She went on to beat Democratic former governor and senator Bob Kerrey.
Fischer referenced her 2012 race in her Wednesday announcement, saying “the talking heads in Washington counted me out, but with hard work, determination, and a campaign built on our share values, Nebraskans counted this rancher in with a commanding win.”
Fischer highlighted her Senate work on national defense, including helping secure funding for a new runway at Offutt Air Force Base and for new levees to protect the base in the event of flooding.
She pointed to work with public and private partners to build a VA health clinic in Omaha and mentioned her work as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee on upgrading the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
Fischer also touted a voting record she reminded the crowd that ultra-conservative broadcaster Glenn Beck recently described as more conservative than Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, but also pointed to her willingness to work with Democrats on the right bills and projects.
Most of all, Fischer said she knows Nebraskans – “who we are and what we stand for” – because she comes home regularly and hears from them.