Pillen stops in Sidney with Lieutenant governor running mate

SIDNEY, Neb. — Republican Jim Pillen, who is running for governor, spoke to a group of people at Highby's Outdoors on Monday at 2:30 p.m. 

Pillen said it was his first time at the local coffee corner and hunting shop. 

Pillen was able to bring his lieutenant governor running mate, Joe Kelly, with him.

“He won’t be a lieutenant governor, he’ll be a partner that will be working elbow to elbow with me on every issue,” Pillen said.

Pillen addressed why he denied having any debates with his Democratic opponent, Carol Blood.

“Meeting Nebraskans across the state in the last 16 months, that’s how you win a race today,” Pillen said. “Having a debate and having sound bites, that’s not how you win an election.” 

Pillen said his campaign released a statewide advertisement today regarding one of their big policies.

“We believe state government has given up on our kids and quit on our kids,” Pillen said. “We have 157 of the 244 school districts that don’t get a penny of equalization aid, we believe every student should have money from the state.”

Pillen said he wants to end inheritance tax because the only people who support it are involved in County Government.

“The other thing is we have to stop spending money,” Pillen said. “Everybody in the state of Nebraska has opposed inheritance tax over and over, it’s double taxation.”

Lastly, Pillen addressed one of the topics he is most well-known for, his strong pro-life opinions.

“We’re working really hard to make sure that we can have 35 folks with conservative values, republican elected so that we can address abortion,” Pillen said.