Contact: Vic Covalt, State Chair
Nebraska Democratic Party
402.434.2180

“What credentials does Kerrey Winterer possess to warrant an appointment as Director of Nebraska’s largest and most troubled department, Health and Human Services? None, other than he is a political crony of Heineman. Other than a long history as a Republican party hack, there is little to qualify Kerry Winterer for $155,000 per year behind the most troubled desk in Nebraska.

“In the midst of departmental breakdown and crisis, Heineman has decided to use this appointment as political quid pro quo to repay an old party hatchet man. Winterer served five years as a Douglas County Republican Party chair (1996-2001) and two years as a Republican National Committeeman (2004-2005). He unsuccessfully ran for the legislature (2006), and then was appointed by Heineman to the State Board of Education (2007). His appointment is yet another example of Heineman rewarding Republican operatives at the expense of taxpayers.

“Winterer’s credentials scream for more detail. What is his specific experience for his former health company? What background makes him more qualified than others? Why couldn’t we have conducted a national search? Here we are teetering on the verge of decertification at Beatrice State Development Center and the accompanying loss of over 25 million in federal funds, so what makes Kerry Winterer the man to set the ship straight?

“Once again, Heineman has failed us. Heineman is playing politician instead of doing what a real governor ought to.”

Vic Covalt
State Chair—Nebraska Democratic Party

NDP

– by Lisa Olivares | Send this to a friend