Mark Schoenrock

Mark Schoenrock served in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 2015. He earned a high school diploma from Fairbury High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1978, and a graduate degree from Webster University in 1989. Schoenrock's career experience includes working as a commissioner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in an agribusiness family in Jefferson County. Eagle Scout, Future Farmers of America Chapter President and State Farmer. It was there I learned integrity, honesty, hard work, ensuring the job was done right and empathy for others. First in my family to graduate from college. I served our nation in a long successful career as a United States Army officer leading combat logistics; supply, maintenance, transportation and service of United States combat forces world-wide including serving as Army liaison officer to the United States Congress on Capitol Hill. I was selected by my elected peers across Nebraska as the Nebraska County Official of the Year 2023 and served as a Fairbury TeamMates mentor for ten years. I have served the citizens of Nebraska in numerous leadership capacities as Nebraska Association of County Officials Southeast Director; and numerous regional boards. Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion life member, member Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Farmers Union. In all of these leadership capacities, I have worked extensively on the tough issues confronting Nebraska and have deep relationships with Governors and their cabinets, members of the Legislature, the Nebraska federal delegation, and private sector leaders. I am a pro-Constitution, pro-life, pro-business and agriculture conservative Republican veteran who is a proven leader with the experience, vision and ability to tackle the tough issues that face Nebraska.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will stand strong for the family, which is the foundation of our society and for the sanctity of human life. Working together, we will find common sense solutions to make life better for our fellow Nebraskans. I love Nebraska, our people and our way of life and am totally dedicated to making a positive difference for our fellow citizens now and for our rising generation to thrive as our Nebraska state senator for legislative district 32.The top issues facing us are meaningful tax reform, concern with the level of government spending, lack of affordable housing, health care access, mental health, childcare access, high speed internet access, defending our conservative Nebraska values, ensuring a great education for our rising generation and the health of agriculture, business and veterans. All of these issues daily touch our fellow citizens’ lives. We must do a better job of identifying and supporting essential services serving our citizens and ensuring those services are being provided in the most cost-efficient manner, so that hard working Nebraskans can keep more of their hard earned income in their pocket.We must continue supporting the various appropriations and tax credits for rural work force housing, affordable health care, mental health access, childcare access, care for the aging and disabled, key infrastructure priorities and high-speed internet access. We must promote college and career readiness for our rising generation, and promote school to business partnerships. We must ensure we are doing all we can in government and private sector policies and actions to recruit and retain a quality work force across all disciplines, reduce the brain drain and keep our rising generation in Nebraska.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I have taken many oaths in my life to support and defend our national and state constitutions, which are the foundation of the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of our society. I am proud to be a conservative Republican and will stand strong for limited government, and government of the people, by the people, and for the people. I believe that what unites us as daughters and sons of a Loving God, as Americans and as Nebraskans is far greater than what our differences may be.

The key to best representing our fellow citizens is that as elected officials we must never forget that it is not about us as the elected official, it is about our fellow citizens that we are elected to represent in the halls of government.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Ronald Reagan, a good and decent man who did his best to lead to make America better.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, honesty, transparency, dedication, good listener, empathy, hard work

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

An elected official must always remember you are a public servant elected to represent the best interests of those you represent.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A loving husband, father and grandfather, an officer who never failed in duty, a man who loved and trusted God, he was a credit to his generation.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I grew up working numerous years in my father's agribusiness. There I learned integrity, honesty, doing a good job, serving others, and empathy.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The Governor and Legislature must work together for the greater good of Nebraska. We must have good relationships, be transparent, best represent the interests of our citizens and work forward together. We are not always going to agree on everything, but we must maintain good relationships and work together when the sun comes up tomorrow.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The top concerns are affordability and quality of life for our fellow citizens. Government policy significantly affects both of those concerns. Tax reform, cost efficient government best addressing essential citizen services, promoting economic development for Nebraska and strong relationships with the private sector are vital to addressing those concerns. In my many leadership capacities, I have significant experience and know what it takes in all of those areas to make a difference for our fellow citizens. Our fellow citizens are also concerned that local control is being taken away by Lincoln and Washington. A local school board, town board or county board best knows the needs and priorities of their respective local community.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes You must stand firm on your values and principles, and what is important to those you represent, but you must also listen and understand other viewpoints as well. We will not always agree on everything, but we must work hard to develop good relationships and work together for the greater good.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Congressmen Adrian Smith, Mike Flood, Don Bacon.

Governor Jim Pillen, Lt Governor Joe Kelly, Attorney General Mike Hilgers, State Auditor Mike Foley.

State Senators Tom Brandt, Myron Dorn, Kathleen Kauth, Rick Holdcroft, Bob Hallstrom, Dan Lonowski, Stan Clouse, Tanya Storer, Loren Lippincott.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The assassination of John F. Kennedy. A very sad and tragic day that forever shaped America.