Sheila Korth-Focken

Sheila Korth-Focken earned a high school diploma from Randolph High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha in 2008, and a graduate degree from the London School of Economics in 2010. Her career experience includes working as a consultant.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a sixth generation Nebraskan, a lifelong Republican, strong fiscal conservative, and a mother and wife. I grew up on a farm near Randolph in the northeast corner of the state, went to college in Omaha, and now live in the Sandhills with my family and our animals.

My top priorities in Year 1 as Governor are: (1) protecting Nebraskans, especially children, (2) supporting our veterans, military community, and their families, and (3) permanently cutting taxes (income, sales & property taxes) by at least 25 percent so Nebraskans have more money in their pockets.

I have decades of experience cutting wasteful spending. I've spent most of my career working to eliminate unnecessary spending on farm subsidy and other federal programs. As City Administrator/Treasurer in Randolph, I cut credit card spending, got a donation to a nonprofit returned to taxpayers, corrected budget errors, balanced the budget, and eliminated unnecessary spending. I also worked for Rep. Fortenberry (R-NE), corresponding with Nebraskans and ensuring their voices were heard.

Significantly and permanently cutting taxes here in NE will help farmers and ranchers, small businesses, individuals who want to retire but can't, and everyday Nebraskans, some who are working more than one job just to pay our high taxes.

I have experience stepping up to the plate when Nebraskans need assistance. I will listen to Nebraskans, meet with them, and do everything I can to help them and their families.

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?

Protect Nebraskans - especially children, elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Right now in Nebraska, child molesters are in our schools, and the state is failing to protect the elderly and children from abuse. I'll end this on Day 1.

Our current administration proposed to cut funding to individuals with disabilities, including children. I will not only protect vital funding for these families so they don't lose their homes or ability to pay for necessities, but I will also reduce burdensome paperwork and red tape.

Our state's economy cannot grow if we cannot protect the most vulnerable families in our state.Support veterans, military community, and their families - when I am Governor, veterans will only have to make one call to receive assistance they are entitled to. Currently in NE, calls for help to access medical care and other necessities are going unanswered. This is unacceptable.

Putting salt on the wound, our current administration proposed to siphon money from the state veteran aid fund - established to help veterans with various expenses - while the governor spends millions of our taxpayer dollars on earmarks for lobbyists and contracts for his nonprofits. This is wholly unacceptable. As Governor, my staff & I will support veterans, our military & their families. We will also cut their taxes to remove additional burdens.Significantly cut taxes - I have a specific plan to cut more than $2 billion in unnecessary and wasteful spending to permanently cut Nebraskans' income, sales & property taxes. The average Nebraskan will pay $1700 less in taxes in Year 1 under my plan. In Years 2-4, we will seek additional tax relief so people are not forced to move, cut food intake, lose their farm or ranch, or never retire, just because of our high taxes. (NE has the 4th highest property taxes in the country).

We will work to eliminate residential property taxes for Nebraskans over age 65, plus veterans & those serving our country.

I also have a plan to eliminate other smaller taxes, fees and burdensome regulations that serve no public purpose.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about helping Nebraskans, cutting taxes & ensuring our taxpayer dollars are well spent.

I have stood up to lead efforts to improve Nebraskans' lives during my entire career. I have worked to eliminate unnecessary farm subsidies that increase land prices and hurt opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers.

As Governor, I will ensure our taxpayer dollars are not wasted. Our tax dollars will be used helping and protecting children and our state's most vulnerable instead of putting them in harm's way. I also believe we need to support our veterans and their families who have put everything on the line for our freedom and safety.

Once we achieve these goals, we can get back to growing our economy.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Everyday Nebraskans are supporting my campaign, including:

- Young Nebraskans who work but can't afford to live

- Grocery store owners

- Local ag coop employees

- Farmers & ranchers

- Nebraskans saying our current politicians don't deserve us to pay their salaries

- Everyday people, from Omaha to O'Neill & Valentine

- Individuals who need medical marijuana to manage pain but state won't listen to the will of voters

- Parents facing loss of Medicaid funding for their kids in wheelchairs

- Parents whose children are subject to child abuse but state does nothing about it

- Nebraskans over age 65 who can't retire because property taxes are too high

- Voters tired of being overtaxed

Campaign websiteKorth-Focken's campaign website stated the following:#1 - PROTECT NEBRASKANSWhen I'm Governor, your tax dollars will be spent protecting Nebraskans, especially children, veterans & military families. #2 - CUT SPENDING & LOWER TAXESNot one tax dollar will be wasted under my Administration. Cutting wasteful & unnecessary spending will allow for significantly lower taxes, putting more money in your pocket - where it belongs. Your income, sales & property taxes will decline by at least 25% in my 1st year, with additional relief in Years 2-4. Working for YouIn addition to protecting Nebraskans and cutting taxes to put more money in your pocket, I will also: (1) Eliminate earmarks which give your money to one entity or individual, oftentimes a lobbyist or campaign donor, (2) Respect the will of Nebraska voters, including on medical marijuana,(3) Staunchly defend our laws, including Nebraskans' right to bear arms - our 2nd amendment, (4) Tell you exactly where your tax dollars are going, (5) Support - instead of drain - resources for Nebraskans with disabilities & their families,(6) Be honest & stick to my promises, (7) Achieve permanent tax reductions,(8) Get to bottom of issues, for instance, to reduce abortions in NE, which have risen the last two years, (9) Eliminate unnecessary fees & paperwork, helping individuals, farmers, ranchers & businesses, (10) Work tirelessly to help you & your family, (11) Prevent the government from taking your land, money, and resources, (12) Support opportunities for farmers and ranchers, especially trade & recovering from devastating wildfires,(13) Enforce our laws so crime decreases, instead of blaming and prosecuting victims. — Sheila Korth-Focken's campaign website (April 28, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.