Scott Petersen

Scott Petersen earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1976.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Scott Petersen, a Nebraska business owner and conservative leader with over 30 years of experience building and operating businesses in our state. I’ve also served in Republican Party leadership, including Chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party and on the State Executive Committee.

I’m running for Secretary of State because I believe confidence in our elections is essential to the strength of Nebraska. When people trust the process, they trust the outcome, and that trust is critical to good governance.

My priorities are to ensure Nebraska’s elections are secure, transparent, and accountable. That includes maintaining accurate voter rolls, strengthening chain-of-custody procedures, and increasing transparency so voters can understand and verify the system.

The Secretary of State’s office also plays a key role in supporting Nebraska businesses and maintaining important public records. I will bring a business-minded approach to improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary barriers, and ensure the office serves the people of Nebraska with clarity, accountability, and integrity.

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?

Restore confidence in Nebraska’s elections. Nebraskans deserve elections that are secure, transparent, publicly verifiable, and easy to understand. I will prioritize accurate voter rolls, strong chain-of-custody procedures, and systems the public can trust. Trust in elections is the foundation of our republic, and it must be earned and protected.Put Nebraska voters, not bureaucrats or outside interests, back in control. I support local control, accountability, and commonsense reforms that make elections more secure and accessible for legal voters. Decisions about Nebraska elections should be made by Nebraskans, not driven by federal overreach or outside influence.Bring transparency and accountability back to government. The Secretary of State’s office should serve the people with openness and integrity. I will ensure clear processes, honest communication, and greater transparency so Nebraskans can trust both their elections and the institutions that serve them.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about election integrity, government transparency, and protecting constitutional rights. Nebraska should lead the nation in secure, auditable elections where every legal vote is counted once and only once. I also believe in limiting government overreach, protecting free speech, and ensuring public institutions remain accountable to the people they serve. Strong systems, clear laws, and transparent processes are essential to preserving trust in government.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Endorsed by multiple Nebraska Republican county parties, grassroots leaders, and conservative organizations across the state, including Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom and Nebraskans for Founders Values. County party endorsements include Buffalo, Cherry, Douglas, Hamilton, Merrick, Perkins, and Stanton counties, with additional counties and support continuing to grow statewide.

Campaign websitePetersen's campaign website stated the following:Restore Confidence in Our Elections  Transparent. Verifiable. Accountable.​Confidence in elections must be built through process not promises. ​Scott will: Ensure transparent, auditable election systems where every legal vote counts and only legal votes countStrengthen chain-of-custody protections for ballots from start to finishExpand post-election audits and public reportingSupport meaningful voter ID with citizenship verificationEnsure those who count votes are well-trained, supported, and operating in full public viewEstablish clear protections for poll challengers and observers to guarantee transparency at every stage Nebraska elections should be simple, secure, and beyond question.Clean, Accurate & Nebraska Controlled Voter RollsNo duplicates. No confusion. No shortcuts. ​Scott will modernize and clean up Nebraska’s voter registration system by: Conducting regular audits to remove deceased, duplicate, and outdated registrationsStrengthening verification processes to ensure only eligible Nebraska voters are registeredImproving data-sharing where appropriate to prevent multi-state registration issuesEnsuring Nebraska’s voter systems are governed by Nebraska — not outsourced, opaque systems Accurate voter rolls are the foundation of election integrity. Defend the Constitution & Nebraska Sovereignty Follow the law. Respect the limits. Protect the state. ​Scott believes the Secretary of State must operate with discipline and respect for constitutional authority. ​He will:Uphold the Constitution as the highest law without exceptionRespect the separation of powers and statutory authorityCoordinate responsibly with the Governor and LegislatureReject federal overreach and outside influence over Nebraska systemsEnsure all actions of the office align with Nebraska law and legislative intent Public trust is built when leaders follow the law, not stretch it. Modernize Business & State ServicesMake Nebraska the most business-friendly state in the Midwest​Nebraska’s systems should be efficient, modern, and easy to use. ​Scott will: Fully modernize business filings, UCC systems, and records accessReplace outdated, manual processes with streamlined digital solutionsImprove turnaround times and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracyUpgrade the campaign finance system to be transparent, searchable, and user-friendlyExpand online services so more can be done quickly and remotely Government should help businesses grow — not slow them down. Radical Transparency & Public Accountability Government works for the people not behind closed doors​Scott will: Increase public access to election data, records, and processesCreate clear, user-friendly online dashboards for public informationPublish policies and procedures in plain languageEnsure strict separation between public duties and outside activitiesGuarantee taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and transparently Transparency is not optional. It is the foundation of trust. Audit, Accountability & a DOGE Approach to Government Run government like a business: efficient, disciplined, accountable​Scott will bring a DOGE-style mindset to the Secretary of State’s office: Conduct a full top-to-bottom audit of the entire officeIdentify waste, inefficiencies, and outdated systemsEliminate unnecessary spending and duplicationImplement performance standards and measurable outcomesSave taxpayer dollars and ensure every dollar is spent with purpose and accountabilityThis office should operate with the same discipline Nebraska families and businesses live by every day.Promote Nebraska & Support Economic Growth Showcase Nebraska values. Expand opportunity. ​Scott will: Promote Nebraska agriculture, business, and innovation globallySupport responsible trade and economic partnershipsEnsure efforts align with Nebraska priorities and leadershipFocus on outcomes that benefit Nebraska workers, families, and communities ​Economic leadership should be coordinated, strategic, and accountable.Civic Education & Citizen EngagementAn informed citizenry is the foundation of a strong republic​Scott will: Support civic education and constitutional literacy initiativesEncourage citizen involvement in elections and governmentPromote understanding of rights, responsibilities, and the rule of law Government works best when the people are engaged, informed, and empowered. — Scott Petersen's campaign website (April 30, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Scott Petersen did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.