(Picture credit Randall Ritnour)
Randall Ritnour, the Democratic challenger running for Lancaster County Attorney, is running on a platform of putting “public safety first” and “juvenile justice reform.” He’s also registered to vote at a home that is owned and the primary residence of a convicted sex offender.
According to property and voter registration records reviewed by The Plains Sentinel, Ritnour is registered to vote at a home owned by Larry and Vanessa Emlich. Vanessa is the “significant other” of Ritnour and a member of the Lincoln Airport Authority. Larry is the father of Vanessa and is a registered sex offender convicted of possessing child pornography.
According to Nebraska’s Sex Offender Registry, Larry was convicted of a felony in July 2013 in California for possessing or controlling “obscene matter depicting minor in sexual conduct.” The registry states that as of June 2026, Larry had verified with the sheriff’s office that he still lives at the address that both Vanessa and Ritnour are registered to vote at. Larry is also registered to vote at the same address.
Vanessa lists the family home as her campaign address according to Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission filings. Ritnour’s campaign is registered at a PO Box associated with his law practice.
Details of Case Remain Murky
The details surrounding Larry Emlich’s conviction remain unclear. Court records for his California conviction are sealed.
The Plains Sentinel reached out to the Santa Clara County Superior Court requesting copies of Emlich’s criminal complaint, arraignment, and sentencing. The Justice Clerk’s Office said:
“Unfortunately, that case have been made confidential. In order to get any copies of records from the case, you would need written authorization from the defendant.”
Following the request for comment by The Plains Sentinel, the Santa Clara Court took down the court case number and page listing Emlich’s arraignment and sentencing dates.
The Plains Sentinel could not find any reporting from local news sources providing further details about his sex offense.
Earlier this year, a school board candidate in North Carolina, James Richard “Rick” Southerland, faced calls from the local Democratic Party to withdraw from his primary race following news he lived in the home of a sex offender.
The Plains Sentinel reached out to Ritnour for comment on the story.
— John Gage is the executive editor of The Plains Sentinel.
A man running for Lancaster Country Attorney living in the house of a convicted sex offender where a minor(s) was involved. Unless there's more to this story, how is that okay?
2013?