Meet the candidates

LAUREL — Mark Patefield’s time on the campaign trail for Legislative District 40 fuels his desire even more to serve.

“You do have your moments of, this is a big job, and it can be overwhelming,” the Laurel man said of campaigning. “It’s not for everybody . . . but it’s confirmed that this is something that I should pursue.”

Patefield has spent time at candidate forums and other events recently but enjoys visiting with people one-on-one whenever possible.

He hopes he provides just as much energy and excitement as he receives from those he visits with.

“There have been several people with very good ideas. I’ve enjoyed talking with them about different ways to approach things, especially when it comes to property taxes and increasing economic development. There’s been a lot of good feedback,” Patefield said.

Gov. Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Farm Bureau endorsed Patefield for the District 40 seat where he faces off against Robert Johnston of Clearwater, Keith Kube of Crofton and Barry DeKay of Niobrara. The top two vote-getters in May 10th’s primary move on to the November general election.

Patefield said his background sets him apart from his opponents. “I’ve been involved in so much and I’m really able to communicate ideas

“I’ve been involved in so much and I’m really able to communicate ideas well,” he said.

Patefield grew up on a farm north of Laurel, graduating from Laurel-Concord High School in 1997.

He then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and then went on to Creighton University in Omaha. He graduated from Creighton’s School of Pharmacy, where he met his wife, Christina. Both Patefields are pharmacists, owning the Main Street Apothecary in Laurel and the U-Save Pharmacy in Wayne. They have four children: Holly, 14, Weston, 12, Lauren, 9, and Graham, 6.

Patefield also served two terms as Laurel’s mayor (2012-20) and one term on the Laurel-Concord School Board (2008-12).

He’s a member of the Nebraska Pharmacist Association and National Community Pharmacist Association.

He sometimes brings his daughters with him when he’s knocking on doors in the district. During campaign visits, Patefield mostly listens to find out what’s important to his future constituents if elected.

For him, issues like property taxes, abortion and natural resource conservation remain at the forefront.

“The Legislature did pass some tax relief this session but they failed to pass pro-life legislation,” he said. “One more thing I’ve learned more about is the state being able to stand up against federal mandates, federal overreach; that’s another area that’s become very apparent that we need to do better as a state.”