LJS: Schimek Has Provided Voice for Voiceless in Legislature

Apr 16, 02:10 PM CST

Lisa Munger at the Lincoln Journal-Star wrote an excellent piece on State Senator Dianne Schimek. The Lincoln Democrat will be serving her last day in the Unicameral tomorrow.

Sen. DiAnna Schimek’s legislative career may have been a twist of fate — a lucky one for the beneficiaries of her five terms in office.

Schimek ran for state treasurer in 1986, losing to her opponent by a 2 percent margin.

“She almost won,” said Julie Erickson, President of American Communications Group Inc., the firm that ran all of Schimek’s campaigns. “If she had, she would’ve never been in the Legislature, and I see that as a bad thing.”

So what’s next for the 20-year veteran of the Unicameral and former Democratic State Party Chair?

Whatever she chooses to do, Schimek will abide by her principles, said David Landis, who served as a senator with Schimek until he, too, was term-limited two years ago.

“If you were to find a theme in her legislation: She has been true to her constituency’s interests and those whose voices have been marginalized, those who don’t have a lobbyist out in the (Capitol) rotunda,” Landis said. “Those who are well-organized do well in the system. DiAnna Schimek was saying, ‘Who is not at the table? What do they think?’ ”

Senator Schimek will certainly be missed. Fortunately, Lincoln City Councilman Dan Marvin has stepped up to fill her place in District 27.

– by Eric Van Horn | Send this to a friend

  1. I regret I did not more closely follow the political career of Ms. Schimek as I have been mightly impressed with her actions this session—a voice of sanity and clarity that will be missed. Congratulations on your years of service.
    — Peg O'Dea Lippert    Apr 17, 10:56 AM CST #

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