Sen. Matt Connealy Named NDP Executive Director

Dec 26, 09:28 AM CST

The Nebraska Democratic Party has hired outgoing State Senator Matt Connealy as its new Executive Director.

Connealy replaces Barry Rubin, who resigned from the post on December 8th. Connealy will officially begin his duties on January 1st.

“Matt Connealy brings an incredible record of public service and years of dedicated involvement in the Nebraska Democratic Party,” said Steve Achelpohl, State Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party. “I am confident that he is the best person for this job and I am grateful that he has stepped up to the challenge that lies ahead.”

Connealy, 55, of Decatur, was first elected as state senator representing the 16th District in northeast Nebraska in 1998. He was re-elected in 2002 and is departing the seat due to term limits. Sen. Connealy served as the Chair of the Unicameral’s Business and Labor Committee and was instrumental in legislation that banned racial profiling, provided incentives for ethanol production, created a Meatpackers Bill of Rights Enforcement Officer, increased rural development and the passage of the Nebraska Advantage Act that rewrote Nebraska’s business incentives.

Connealy was the Democratic nominee for Congress in Nebraska’s first Congressional District in 2004.

Connealy has been involved in politics and the leadership of the Nebraska Democratic Party for many years. As state senator, in his run for Congress, and in co-sponsoring three training camps for Democratic activists, he has encouraged the involvement of young people in the political process.

“Following an extremely successful election cycle, the Nebraska Democratic Party finds itself with an incredible base of support that is energized and committed to continue rebuilding our Party,” said Connealy. “I am extremely excited and humbled to be asked to take on this role”

Sen. Connealy and his wife Judith reside in Decatur and farm in Burt and Thurston counties where they have grown corn and soybeans since 1973. They have two children, Maggie and Mick.

– by eric | Send this to a friend

  1. Okay I am trying very hard to not be reactionary to this but I can’t help but think there had to be better choices. I think Matt is a nice guy and I truly do appreciate his service to the state. However, is it in our best interest to hire a guy who wouldn’t even endorse the Democratic presidential candidate when questioned during his debate? I appreciate people wanting to be independent but when we hire people who work for us shouldn’t they be “party” people?

    And wasn’t it voted on during the last SCC meeting that we would form an exploratory committee to find Barry’s replacement? Did that REALLY happen in less than two weeks?
    — HawkeyeAtHeart    Dec 26, 10:08 AM CST #
  2. I’m no longer on the SCC, so I can’t answer to that, but I will say that I can’t think of a better candidate for the job than Sen. Connealy. He’s a traditional Nebraska Democrat who can do a much better job of connecting with more registered democrats than our party has been able to do in recent years. He’s a great choice and will bring a great deal of experience, knowledge, humility and integrity to the job.
    — brice sullivan    Dec 26, 12:28 PM CST #
  3. Congratulations to Matt Connealy. He will be an outstanding ED. We are very fortunate that he is willing to do the job.
    — vince powers    Dec 26, 01:01 PM CST #
  4. Matt Connealy is an outstanding choice! He had the ability to bring people together for common good of Nebraska. What a great leader he will be.
    — Joan Rogert    Dec 26, 02:00 PM CST #
  5. Senator Connealy has been a tremendous role model for those interested in running for office and he will continue to be a great recruiter of candidates for the Nebraska Democratic Party.

    Senator Connealy is a great choice to continue our success in 2007 and help recruit a team for victory in 2008.
    — Lee Clausen    Dec 26, 03:00 PM CST #
  6. Congratulations Matt. It’s a wise political party that can show the common sense to hire a Farmer to grow our blue base.
    I just sent my “Welcome, Matt” contribution.
    — Steve Hollister    Dec 26, 03:23 PM CST #
  7. I should have posted that as a member of the Exec Committee I voted to recommend to the Chair that he hire Matt COnnealy. If anyone wants to know more about the decision or why I voted the way I did, please feel free to email me or call me.
    http://www.vincepowerslaw.com
    — vince powers    Dec 26, 03:33 PM CST #
  8. Well I must be polite and congratulate Mr. Connealy; however, I must question the timing. If the Chair is so committed in allowing the SCC to be a part of the selection process, why did the press know before the rank and file of the SCC? I think the Chair needs to amends with the SCC before he tries to bully the agenda again.
    — Brent Hultine, Juniata, LD 33    Dec 26, 10:09 PM CST #

  9. — Brian T. Osborn    Dec 29, 01:26 PM CST #
  10. Congrats Matt.
    I’m excited for 2007. I think it’s going to be a very good year for Democrats in Nebraska.
    — John O-R    Dec 30, 09:55 PM CST #

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