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LINCOLN — The Legal Marijuana NOW nominee for Nebraska governor announced Friday the pick of an Omaha Housing Authority commissioner and local community ambassador as his running mate.
Rick Beard of Omaha selected Keenya “Ruby” Barnes as his choice for lieutenant governor. Beard is a wine professional and private chef. Barnes has been a community ambassador for Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha by Design and Table Grace Ministries.
She is an appointed resident commissioner for the Omaha Housing Authority. Under state law, the position means she advocates for fellow residents who receive assistance from the OHA.
“Through these positions, she has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to bridge communities, foster meaningful dialogue and champion affordable housing,” Beard’s campaign said in a news release. “The party is thrilled to welcome Ruby to the team as we work together to deliver real progress and representation to Nebraska voters.”
Beard’s platform calls for a state-run medical cannabis program, which he sees as a long-term way to stabilize Nebraska’s budget and fund property tax relief. He also would like to legalize an industrial hemp program, get corporate and political action committee money out of Nebraska campaigns, and take a more serious, in-depth look at data centers.
This November, Beard will face Republican Gov. Jim Pillen of Columbus, who is running for reelection, and former Democratic state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont.
Pillen is running again with Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, a longtime prosecutor who led the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office before being appointed U.S. attorney for Nebraska in President Donald Trump’s first term.
Walz is running with Ben Steffen of Humboldt, a corn and soybean farmer and ex-Republican.
In addition to Pillen, Walz and Beard, Nebraska could see a fourth candidate for governor.
Former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha, an ex-Republican, failed to qualify a nonpartisan petition campaign for governor, in part due to allegations of fraudulent signatures. He’s opened the door to running as the gubernatorial candidate for an existing or prospective third party and join what he terms a “pirate ship.”
The deadline for the Libertarians and prospective America First Party or Nebraska Working People Party to nominate a gubernatorial candidate is Sept. 1.
The general election is Nov. 3.
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