Brinkman elected to Lancaster County Commission

Friday, December 2, 2016 - 7:30am

by Savanah Baker

Jennifer Brinkman won the 2016 County Commissioner–District 2 election with a campaign focused on economic development, expanding access to health and safety services in the county, and creating a task force to address aging roads and bridges.

“These topics of focus are a result of the 16 months I spent walking door-to-door in the district, talking to voters and listening to the concerns they raised when I asked about the issues important to them,” Brinkman said in an email.

Brinkman worked as an administrative assistant to former State Sen. Don Wesely and as an aide to Wesely when he was the mayor of Lincoln, and she worked as a health and human services policy adviser to former Gov. Ben Nelson. Brinkman has also served as a campaign adviser to Mayor Chris Beutler, State Sens. Bill Avery and Ken Haar, and City Councilmembers Jayne Snyder and Patte Newman.

“I learned that there is real opportunity to effect change in our community as a county commissioner,” Brinkman said of her time as a staff member and adviser. Brinkman also said she sees serving on the Lancaster County Board as an extension of the community service she has done.

Brinkman has actively volunteered in her neighborhood association, the elementary and middle school PTO, the United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County and Lincoln Rotary Club #14.

Brinkman said she’s passionate about serving voters and improving the county.

“I am committed to continuing to provide effective constituent service to the people of District 2 on the Lancaster County Board,” Brinkman said.

Brinkman said she would work to create a stronger focus on economic development at the county level by thinking more strategically on spending grants for tourism, as well as consolidating government buildings in the downtown area to further redevelopment.

She also plans to address run-down roads and bridges through the creation of a master plan with earmarked funding in order to ensure certainty to the users of those transportation networks, as well.

Brinkman’s also wants to assure access to physical and mental health care services in District 2.

“I look forward to working with the residents of the area I represent, as well as my colleagues on the County Board and the other county elected officials and department directors to address the challenges facing us and embrace the opportunities that will continue to make Lancaster County a great place to live, work and play,” Brinkman said.

Brinkman will take office on Jan. 5, and replace longtime Commissioner Larry Hudkins, who chose not to run for re-election after nine terms. District 2 includes Raymond, Malcolm and a majority of the northwest quadrant of Lincoln. The four-year term on the five-member County Board comes with a $42,000 annual salary.

Brinkman graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications in 1993 with a major in broadcasting and minors in history, political science and sociology.

Jennifer Brinkman, 1993 graduate, was elected Lancaster County Commissioner on Nov. 8.