
Former Nebraska Cornhusker and current candidate for Governor Jim Pillen paid a ranch to the River City Republicans at the Pizza Ranch on Monday. He told a few stories about his time with the Cornhuskers (as well as his brother Clete’s), particularly making eye contact with legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant (“with his fedora cap on, leaning against the goal post, smoking at a cigar”) at Memorial Stadium in 1977, just two years after watching him on television.
Pillen grew up on a pig farm and has spent much of his time post-college working with pigs, both in a veterinary capacity and a family-run business. Started his stump speech speaking briefly against mandates, saying “I am 100% opposed to any kind of government mandates, whether it’s masks, vaccine mandates, or testing mandates,” He then talked at length about his personal life and family, as well as working in the pig industry and his family-run business, Pillen Family Farms and DNA Genetics.
He talked first about education and job-training, specifically workforce development via trade schools, and cutting income and property taxes. Much of his speech, however, was devoid of specific policy proposals and contains more stories about his family than details about what he might sign into law as governor.
He did receive a warm welcome from those in attendance, and according to organizer Dee Dee Kelly, he was one of a few candidates who responded to her request for an invitation to come and speak. Other candidates did not respond to her email.
Audio from the luncheon.