2026 Nebraska General Election

2026 Nebraska Primary Election

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Kristi Egger is from the Firth/Hickman area of Nebraska. She has a bachelor 27s degree from the University of Nebraska and a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law. She has two adult children and lives with her partner, Graham House, in Lincoln. 

Kristi Egger is from the Firth/Hickman area of Nebraska. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law. She has two adult children and lives with her partner, Graham House, in Lincoln. Kristi attends the Firth Reformed Church.

Kristi is a public defender. She previously worked at the Hall County Public Defender's Office for one year. After that, she worked at the Lancaster County Public Defender's Office for 32 years. 

Kristi Egger - Ballotpedia

Kristi previously worked at the Hall County Public Defender's Office. She also worked as a deputy public defender at the Lancaster County Public Defender's Office.

Kristi is currently the Lancaster County Public Defender. She was first elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term. Before her election, Kristi worked as a deputy public defender for 32 years.

Politics | journalstar.com - Lincoln Journal Star

Kristi is currently the Lancaster County Public Defender. She was first elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term.

As a public defender, Egger led a team of attorneys and investigators in providing legal counsel to clients who could not afford an attorney.

As a public defender for over 36 years, provides legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who are unable to hire an attorney.

As deputy public defender for 33 years, acted as legal counsel, trained and supervised law clerks, conducted legal research, provided briefs, advised clients, assisted with case preparation, and provided representation.

- As a public defender for over 36 years, provides legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who are unable to hire an attorney.
- As deputy public defender for 33 years, acted as legal counsel, trained and supervised law clerks, conducted legal research, provided briefs, advised clients, assisted with case preparation, and provided representation.

Legal Experience

Seeks to find ways to reduce incarcerations non-violent crimes by promoting cost-saving alternatives.

- Aims to decrease incarceration.
- Seeks to find ways to reduce incarcerations non-violent crimes by promoting cost-saving alternatives.

Public Safety

Believes in focusing on help for offenders, reducing reoffending, and making communities safer.

Supports diversion programs, problem-solving courts, and treatment courts to help people turn their lives around and reduce costs for the County.

Supports establishing a Mental Health Court.

Supports establishing problem solving courts, like Veteran’s Court, Drug Court, DUI Court, and Mental Health Diversion.

Advocates for reforming the cash bail system for non-violent offenses.

- Believes in focusing on help for offenders, reducing reoffending, and making communities safer.
- Supports diversion programs, problem-solving courts, and treatment courts to help people turn their lives around and reduce costs for the County.
- Supports establishing problem solving courts, like Veteran’s Court, Drug Court, DUI Court, and Mental Health Diversion.
- Advocates for reforming the cash bail system for non-violent offenses.

Criminal Justice

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Sarah Newell earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and criminal justice from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law. She lives with her husband, Phil, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Sarah is an attorney with the Lancaster County Public Defender's Office. She previously worked for the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy and led a team of attorneys as the Criminal Section Head for Berry Law. She also serves as an adjunct professor, teaching trial practice at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law. 

Sarah currently works as a deputy public defender in Lancaster County. She previously worked as a clerk for the Nebraska Supreme Court, as an attorney for the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, and as head of the criminal section at Berry Law. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law.

Sarah is currently a public defender in the Lancaster County Public Defender's Office.

Sarah’s campaign for public defender in Lancaster County, Nebraska, is her first run for public office.

As a public defender in the Lancaster County Public Defender’s Office, provides legal counsel and representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney in criminal cases.

As a clerk for the Nebraska Supreme Court, Newell maintained court records, filed documents, and provided information to judges and the public.

As a state clerk for the Nebraska Supreme Court, maintained court records, filed documents and transcripts, and provided information to judges and the public.

As an attorney for the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, provided legal defense and representation in criminal cases, including serious felony matters.

- As a public defender in the Lancaster County Public Defender’s Office, provides legal counsel and representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney in criminal cases.
- As a state clerk for the Nebraska Supreme Court, maintained court records, filed documents and transcripts, and provided information to judges and the public.
- As an attorney for the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, provided legal defense and representation in criminal cases, including serious felony matters.

As of March 25, 2026, Sarah Newell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports working with officials to implement justice reforms that reduce repeat offenses, prevent crime, and save taxpayer money.

Supports reforms to the justice system aimed at reducing repeat offenses and preventing crime.

- Supports reforms to the justice system aimed at reducing repeat offenses and preventing crime.

Sarah Newell

- As a state clerk for the Nebraska Supreme Court, maintained court records, filed documents and transcripts, and provided information to judges and the public.
- As an attorney for the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, provided legal defense and representation in criminal cases, including serious felony matters.
- As a public defender in the Lancaster County Public Defender’s Office, provides legal counsel and representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney in criminal cases.

Sahid Burgos

Supports "smart justice reforms" to reduce repeat offenses, prevent crime, and save taxpayer money.

- A public defender is an elected county official who provides legal representation to individuals charged with crimes who cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

- The public defender represents defendants in criminal cases, including felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile proceedings, as well as certain mental health board cases.

- The office handles all stages of the legal process, including reviewing evidence, preparing legal arguments, negotiating plea agreements, and representing clients in court.

- Public defenders ensure that defendants’ constitutional rights, including the right to legal counsel, are protected throughout legal proceedings.

- In Nebraska, public defenders are established in counties with populations over 100,000 or in other counties where approved by the county board.

- Public defenders are elected to four-year terms in partisan elections. Candidates must be licensed attorneys in Nebraska.

- In counties with populations over 170,000, public defenders are required to work full-time and may not engage in private legal practice.

- On average, public defenders in Nebraska earn approximately $102,527 per year, although actual salaries may differ by county and local conditions.

An attorney for defendants who cannot afford a private lawyer.

Lancaster Public Defender, Democratic Primary

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