By Paul Hammel
LINCOLN — Three weeks ago, Jacob Wolff announced his candidacy for the District 23 seat in the Nebraska Legislature.
One of his first goals will be to move into the east-central Nebraska district, which spans Saunders and Colfax Counties and most of Butler County.
Legislative observers say they can’t recall an instance where a legislative candidate announced a run but didn’t live in the district.
It is not illegal — the State Constitution requires a candidate to reside in a legislative district at least one year before they are elected. But questions about a candidate’s residency have raised eyebrows in the past.
Wolff, who is registered to vote in Omaha, said Wednesday he has always intended to move to a rural area and is negotiating on a commercial/residential property near Wahoo, which is in District 23.
He declined to say where he’s living now, other than that he’s renting a place “just outside the district.”
Graduate of Omaha Roncalli
Wolff, a graduate of Omaha Roncalli High School, just completed a five-year stint as an officer in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps (the Seabees). He said new naval assignments delayed his return home and a search for a residence.
“Additionally, the complexities of the commercial/residential purchase have taken more time than we wanted, but we are patient and hopeful,” Wolff said.
He announced his candidacy June 22 and held a campaign kickoff event July 6 at a bar in Memphis. A special guest at the kickoff was former State Auditor and State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont.
Wolff, 27, is currently a registered voter in Douglas County at 6751 Leavenworth St., which is in District 6, represented by State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh.
Wolff said that is his parents’ home (the listed owner is Wolff Contracting LLC) and that he has always used that address while in the Navy.
A registered nonpartisan, Wolff said he is also planning to change his registration to Republican. He said he had dropped out of the GOP because it had become “so out of touch with your average American and Nebraska conservatives.” But, Wolff said, he agrees with the core principles of the party and that the current system “means working within a two-party system.”
Spent time in Saunders, Butler Counties
He said he spent “a lot of time” in Saunders and Butler Counties while growing up, visiting parks and county fairs and playing sports there.
“My wife and I believe that there is more opportunity for growth, both professionally and personally, in small towns across Nebraska,” Wolff said.
He said he’s unsure if his current residency will impact his campaign. The District 23 seat will be open in 2024. The current occupant, State Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard, is term-limited.
Residency has been an issue in some past elections.
Tyson Larson, a graduate of Weeping Water High School near Omaha, established his residence as his grandfather’s ranch near O’Neill when he first ran for the Legislature in 2010. He defeated incumbent Sen. Cap Dierks in 2010, and was later re-elected to the seat.
Scott Kleeb, who ran for the 3rd Congressional District in 2006, attended college in Colorado but was working as a ranch hand in Nebraska’s Sandhills when he went up against former State Sen. Adrian Smith.
Kleeb, a Democrat, narrowly lost to Smith, a Republican.