(Picture credit Matt Johnson)
OMAHA — On Monday afternoon, incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen, who is running for reelection, received the endorsement of three of Nebraska’s largest law enforcement unions. Patrick Dempsey of the Omaha Police Officers Association (OPOA), Joe Villamonte of the Lincoln Police Union, and Tony Conner of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police were on hand with other members of law enforcement at the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education near 71st and Jones St. to present the endorsement.
“Governor Pillen has taken several documented steps in support of Nebraska law enforcement,” Villamonte said. “He supported protecting public safety agencies from proposed spending caps that could have limited their ability to fund personnel, equipment, infrastructure, and training. Additionally, Governor Pillen requested juvenile justice legislation in 2025, addressing concerns about juvenile crime and repeat offenders.”
That legislation was LB 530, which Pillen signed into law last year. The bill focused on lowering the minimum age for detaining juveniles in secure facilities and addressing high-risk and repeat juvenile offenders committing serious or multiple crimes.
“Part of that juvenile justice legislation was aimed at really putting pressure on those very high-risk individuals who are committing three, four, five, six individual felonies,” Dempsey said. “That’s the number that we were trying to address with the recent changes two years ago. That number has significantly decreased. Our car thefts are at an all-time low. Our shootings are at an all-time low. Homicides are at an all-time low. And that’s a testament to holding those very, very high-risk juveniles accountable for what they did.”
Conner praised Pillen for other legislation, such as the First Responders Recruitment and Retention Act (LB727), constitutional carry (LB77), and LB530, which toughened penalties for those who supplied fentanyl that resulted in serious injury or death.
The union leaders also praised Pillen for his responsiveness.
“Governor Pillen picked up the phone every time we called him,” Conner said. “He worked with us and with the senators to make sure that bill had the things that we needed in it. Did it have everything we wanted? Of course not, but that’s how negotiations work. But what’s most important is he picked up the phone and he was available when we needed to talk to him.”
Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly also spoke at the endorsement announcement, laying out his own personal experience in law enforcement.
“I spent a lot of my career, 20 plus years, with the Lincoln Police Department. No finer organization in the state. When I became United States attorney a few years later, I ended up with day-to-day work with the Omaha Police Department, and I can tell you they are a great bunch.”
Pillen thanked the members of the organization for their endorsement and cited their work in helping to keep Nebraskans safe.
“These men and women behind me, and all of the thousands of people they represent across the state are incredible,” Pillen said. “Incredible public servants. Highest calling of government is to keep us safe.”
The endorsement comes nearly one week before Election Day, as Pillen touts Nebraska’s low crime rate and his support of law enforcement as a highlight of his four years as governor.
“I think it is really, really important to take a minute to brag,” Pillen said. “Every measurable that we have is that Nebraska, the city of Omaha, we’re the safest place to live in the United States of America. And the only reason why that’s that way is because of the men and women in blue.”
Election Day is November 3.
— Matt Johnson is a freelance reporter with The Plains Sentinel.