La Vista police officer runs for Nebraska Legislative District 18

BENNINGTON, Neb. — A La Vista police officer is running for an open Nebraska legislative seat in north-central Douglas County with a focus on affordability.

Derek Schwartz, 39, has been a police officer since 2020. He described himself as a “blue-collar Nebraska guy through and through” who grew up in northeast Nebraska. He graduated from high school in Stanton. A husband and father of two, who wrestled and played football growing up, he said sports and other activities taught him work ethic, integrity and perseverance.

At the age of 26, Schwartz purchased a franchise in the wedding and event space he had been working in. He said he grew sales by roughly 400% in his seven years as a franchise business owner, but he always had a “nagging pull” to do more.

That call led him to policing, and “that call for service is the exact same reason why I’m now feeling called to serve in the Legislature.”

Legislative District 18 covers north-central Douglas County — northwest Omaha and Bennington. State Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha has announced that she will not seek another four-year term.

Schwartz said his top focus is lowering property taxes and making the state more affordable, knowing that some folks are choosing to leave the state. He said he will always support law enforcement and keeping families safe, adding that safety is essential for communities to thrive.

“Quite plainly, I didn’t come from money,” Schwartz said. “My parents often reminded me that I’d have to work for everything that I got in life.”

When announcing his campaign in November, Schwartz said he was running “because the last thing Nebraskans need is another rich politician who hasn’t had to earn their way in life seeking office for a title and accolades instead of running to serve their neighbors.”

Schwartz said he also would work to cut government and eliminate government overreach.

“I’m the only candidate in this race that has sworn an oath to defend the Constitution,” Schwartz said. “I’ll always defend Nebraskans’ constitutional rights, no matter who they are.”

After high school, Schwartz went on to Buena Vista University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson has endorsed Schwartz, as has Dave Friend, a Metropolitan Utilities District board member and police chief at Metropolitan Community College.

Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, who represented the district before Armendariz, endorsed both Schwartz and fellow Republican candidate Taylor Royal, a financial planner and former Omaha mayoral candidate, ahead of the May primary election.

Legislative District 18 is one of the most competitive in the state. Also running in the race is Jess Goldoni, a businesswoman and artificial intelligence strategist. Armendariz, Royal and Schwartz are registered Republicans. Goldoni is a registered Democrat. Armendariz won her 2022 race with 56% of the vote.

The officially nonpartisan Legislature is currently split 33-15 between Republicans and Democrats, plus one additional nonpartisan progressive. It takes 33 votes to end debate on some contentious bills.

Schwartz said everybody can get behind property tax relief as a “common sense” issue, not one that is red or blue.

“Common sense solutions for Nebraskans, that’s what’s going to carry us forward,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz said that while growing up on the farm, he often heard  “put your money where your mouth is.” He said that means standing by his promises, including affordability, backing the blue and defending constitutional rights.

“I’m not a politician. I’ve never run for political office,” Schwartz said. “I’m simply just a blue-collar farm kid who now serves the community as a police officer.”

The top two vote-getters in the May 12 primary, regardless of party, will advance to the Nov. 3 election.

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