LINCOLN — The Nebraska Cattlemen are the latest group to add to the list of endorsements for Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen.
The nonprofit’s president, Brenda Masek, announced the endorsement at a press conference Thursday afternoon at its Lincoln headquarters. Though Pillen is a hog producer, she said, he understands the “grit and resilience” of Nebraska’s agricultural community and will fight to protect it.
“Jim has walked in our shoes,” Masek said. “He knows our struggles.”
Pillen, a University of Nebraska regent, piled up a series of notable endorsements during a contentious Republican primary race. Current Gov. Pete Ricketts, who is barred by term limits from seeking reelection, has been among Pillen’s most prominent and vocal backers.
State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, who finished third in the Republican primary for governor, has since endorsed Pillen, but his other top primary opponent, Charles Herbster, has not endorsed him yet.
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Masek said she expects Pillen to continue Ricketts’ work to support Nebraska agriculture as the state’s “No. 1 industry.” In Nebraska’s agricultural sector, beef exports are at the top. Ricketts said Nebraska had over $1.8 billion in beef exports in 2021, beating the previous record set in 2018 by about 25%.
Pillen vowed that if elected, he would “defend” Nebraska agriculture by working to preserve water and fighting back against synthetic meat, or what Pillen called “petri-dish meat.”
Specifically, Pillen called out Bill Gates, the billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, for his support of lab-grown meat as a sustainable alternative to traditional meat production. Pillen is not the first politician to target Gates on the issue.
After Gates was quoted in a 2021 MIT Technology Review article as saying he thought “all rich countries should move to 100% synthetic beef” to help slow the effects of climate change, former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry wrote that “making supper in a lab” wasn’t a solution.
“His computer hasn’t been cyberattacked, his brain has,” Pillen said of Gates on Thursday.
Masek said the Nebraska Cattlemen group — which advocates for the financial interest of cattle producers in the state — supports Pillen’s goals to address the state’s tax code imbalance, support Nebraska’s rural areas, control government spending and reform state aid for education. She said Pillen’s potential administration would help Nebraska farmers prosper.
“When rural communities, and farmers and ranchers prosper, all of Nebraska prospers,” Masek said.
Photos: Nebraska primary day 2022
Brett Lindstrom, Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, walks off the stage, with results projected on him, after conceding the race during an election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday. The race was called for Jim Pillen.
Brett Lindstrom, Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, concedes the race during an election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday. The race was called for Jim Pillen.
Brett Lindstrom, Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, concedes the race during an election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday. The race was called for Jim Pillen.
Addison Kloeckner, 11, of Papillion, wears a patriotic hair bow during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday. The race was called for Jim Pillen.
Members of the media await results during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday. The race was called for Jim Pillen.
Supporters gather during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday. The race was called for Jim Pillen.
Supporters listen as Brett Lindstrom, Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, concedes the race during an election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday. The race was called for Jim Pillen.
Brian Michael, of Elkhorn, looks over results during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday. The race was called for Jim Pillen.
Supporters listen as Brett Lindstrom, Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, concedes the race during an election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday. The race was called for Jim Pillen.
Nebraska 2nd Congressional District candidate Alisha Shelton smiles during a press interview during a watch party at Legend’s Bar and Grill in Omaha on Tuesday.
Nebraska 2nd Congressional District candidate Tony Vargas delivers his victory speech with his wife, Lauren (left), during a watch party at Beercade 2 in Omaha on Tuesday.
Nebraska 2nd Congressional District candidate Tony Vargas laughs during his victory speech with his wife, Lauren (left), during a watch party at Beercade 2 in Omaha on Tuesday.
State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha and wife Lauren wait during an applause break in his victory speech at Beercade 2 in Omaha on Tuesday. The Democratic primary winner next will face incumbent Rep. Don Bacon for the 2nd Congressional District seat.
Nebraska 2nd Congressional District candidate Tony Vargas gives his victory speech during a watch party at Beercade 2 in Omaha on Tuesday.
Nebraska congressional candidate Alisha Shelton speaks with media during a watch party at Legend’s Bar and Grill in Omaha on Tuesday.
Nebraska congressional candidate Alisha Shelton speaks with media during a watch party at Legend’s Bar and Grill in Omaha on Tuesday.
Nebraska congressional candidate Alisha Shelton speaks with media during a watch party at Legend’s Bar and Grill in Omaha on Tuesday.
Nebraska 2nd Congressional District candidate Tony Vargas waits during an applause break in his victory speech during a watch party at Beercade 2 in Omaha on Tuesday.
Nebraska 2nd Congressional District candidate Tony Vargas gives his victory speech during a watch party at Beercade 2 in Omaha on Tuesday.
Yard signs fill the area outside the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday.
Vicki Allen, of Elkhorn, takes a photos of the first wave of results during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday.
Supporters gather during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday.
Beth Kramer, the finances director with the campaign, wears American flag high heels during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday.
Dave Rippe, the Lindstrom running mate, talks with supporters during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday.
Dave Rippe, the Lindstrom running mate, speaks during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday.
Jana Lindstrom, Brett Lindstrom’s cousin, watches over his daughter, Olivia, 5, during the Brett Lindstrom for Governor election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday.
Brett Lindstrom, Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, speaks with supports during an election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday.
Brett Lindstrom, Republican candidate for Nebraska governor, speaks with supports during an election results watch party in Omaha on Tuesday.
Volunteer District Inspector Marilyn Blakemore deposits a completed ballot for the Nebraska primary at Flatland Church on Tuesday.
Aliza Schachter-Fuerst, 5, enjoys her “I Voted Today” sticker after her father Matt Fuerst voted in the Nebraska Primary at Flatland Church on Tuesday.
Signs direct voters to their polling place in Nebraska’s primary election on Tuesday at Werner Park.
Voters fill out their ballots at Fontenelle Forest during Nebraska’s primary election on Tuesday.
Voters head to their polling place at Fontenelle Forest during Nebraska’s primary election on Tuesday.
Voters fill out their ballots in Nebraska’s primary election on Tuesday at Werner Park.
Head Groundskeeper Zach Ricketts, left, works on the field while Carol Szczepaniak votes in Nebraska’s primary election on Tuesday at Werner Park.
Voters fill pick up their ballots at Fontenelle Forest during Nebraska’s primary election on Tuesday.
Jim Pillen receives a sticker after voting at his polling place, Columbus Berean Church, in Columbus, Nebraska, on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Jim Pillen votes at his polling place, Columbus Berean Church, in Columbus, Nebraska, on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Jim Pillen and his wife Suzanne Pillen speak with Linda Paitz (second from right) and Fred Weinand (right) after voting at their polling place, Columbus Berean Church, in Columbus, Nebraska, on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Jim Pillen turns his ballot into Linda Paitz at his polling place, Columbus Berean Church, in Columbus, Nebraska, on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Larnisha Dortch fills out her ballot at Fontenelle Forest during Nebraska’s primary election on Tuesday.
Volunteer District Inspector Marilyn Blakemore, left, takes the ballot from State Sen. Brett Lindstrom after he voted in the Nebraska Primary at Flatland Church on Tuesday. Lindstrom is running for Governor of Nebraska.
Aliza Schachter-Fuerst, 5, tries to peek at her father, Matt Fuerst’s ballot while voting in the Nebraska Primary at Flatland Church on Tuesday.
Signs for political candidates line an entrance to the polling place at Flatland Church on Tuesday.
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