As Merrick County moves closer to the November 5th General Election, much of the focus has been on national races, including the presidential election. However, for residents of District 4 in Merrick County, a local race is drawing significant attention. Carolyn Kucera, the incumbent Republican candidate for the Merrick County Board of Supervisors, is officially running unopposed on the ballot, but Katie Benner’s recent announcement as a write-in candidate has added a new layer of competition to the race.

Benner, who considers herself a “Merrick County forever-er” due to her marriage to a sixth-generation Merrick County resident, sees this as the perfect place to raise their three children. With a deep passion for the community, Benner brings a unique perspective to the election. She balances family life with professional responsibilities and has strong ties to the county through her involvement in local boards, including the Merrick County Development Corporation, the Merrick County Child Development Center Board, and the Lone Tree Township Board. “I understand the challenges of balancing family and work, and this has motivated me to run for County Supervisor,” Benner shared. “I really, REALLY care about the future of our amazing county.”

Benner’s platform focuses on three main pillars: progress, efficiency, and leadership. She advocates for improving high-speed internet access, supporting workforce training programs in collaboration with local schools, and enhancing infrastructure throughout the county. Additionally, she seeks to streamline government processes to optimize budgets and strengthen partnerships between the county, businesses, and community organizations. “We need solution-based individuals in key leadership roles with the best interest of the people and community in mind,” Benner emphasized.

Her candidacy brings a fresh voice to the race, and while only residents of District 4 can vote for this position, Benner’s involvement has stirred interest across the county. She hopes to be a part of shaping the county’s future, ensuring that Merrick County remains a great place for families to live and thrive.

Overview of the Rest of the Ballot In addition to the District 4 Supervisor race, voters across Merrick County will have important decisions to make in several other key races.

• Presidential Race: As expected, the presidential race will be a major draw. With candidates from multiple parties, including Republican Donald J. Trump, Democrat Kamala D. Harris, Libertarian Chase Oliver, and others, voters will choose the next leader of the United States.

• United States Senate: Voters will also select candidates for Nebraska’s U.S. Senate seats. The race for the six-year term sees Republican Deb Fischer facing off against petition candidate Dan Osborn. The two-year term features Republican Pete Ricketts and Democrat Preston Love Jr.

• United States House of Representatives: Adrian Smith (Republican) and Daniel Ebers (Democrat) are competing for the District 3 seat in Congress, with voters deciding who will represent them in Washington, D.C.

• County Supervisor Races: Beyond District 4, other local races include District 2, where Russell L. Kreachbaum Jr. is running unopposed, and District 6, where Roger Wiegert also faces no opposition.

• Judicial Retention: Several judges, including James C. Stecker and Rachel Daugherty for District Court and Lynelle D. Homolka for County Court, are up for retention votes.

• School Boards: Numerous school board positions are on the ballot, including seats for Central City, Twin River, and High Plains Community Schools, with candidates vying to shape the educational future of the area.

• Natural Resources Districts: Voters will also elect representatives for the Central Platte and Lower Loup Natural Resources Districts.

• Public Power Districts: Positions in public power districts, such as the Cornhusker Public Power District and Howard Greeley Rural Public Power District, are also up for election.

• Local Bonds and Proposals: The election includes decisions on school bonds and other local initiatives, such as funding for renovations and improvements at Palmer Public Schools.

Early voting begins on October 7th, with ballots available for those who choose to vote ahead of Election Day. Voters can expect a full slate of choices, from the presidential race to local initiatives, ensuring that every vote cast has an impact on the future of both the county and the country.