Paul Strommen of Sidney, a conservative Republican and ethanol industry leader, filed paperwork on Friday with the Nebraska Secretary of State to be a candidate for Nebraska Legislative District 47.

The seat is currently held by Senator Steve Erdman of Bayard, who is unable to seek re-election due to term limits. District 47 includes Arthur, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Keith, Morrill, and Sioux counties. 

 “My top issues are cutting property taxes, defending agriculture, protecting the unborn, safeguarding the 2nd Amendment, growing the rural economy, supporting our schools and limiting state government so it works for us and not the other way around. I will work every day of this campaign to meet as many voters as possible across the nine counties that make up District 47. I will listen, learn, and humbly ask for people’s prayers and their votes.”

He defined his platform as supporting small business and the rural lifestyle.

“Here’s where I stand: property taxes strangle the family farm and small business and must be lower – all ideas need to be considered. Agriculture is Nebraska’s number one industry and I will always put farmers and ranchers first including defending water rights. Access to health care, investment in roads, and workforce solutions that address child care and housing are important issues for our rural communities. I support parental rights and public, private and home school options for children’s education. Government is more often the problem and not the solution, and when government is involved there must be transparency and accountability. My promise is to work tirelessly and get results for Western Nebraska," Strommen said.

Strommen was elected to the Sidney city council in 2022 and was chosen by the council to serve as deputy mayor. As a member of the city council, he has focused on economic development, affordable housing, and reducing the tax burden for Sidney residents. He also serves as a commissioner on the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. 

He is an executive with Mid America Bio Energy and Commodities, a 50-million-gallon ethanol plant located in Perkins county. Strommen and his wife, Kendra, have been married for 20 years.