Lavon Heidemann
Lavon Heidemann (b. October 24, 1958, in Pawnee, Nebraska) is a former Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska. He was appointed by Gov. Dave Heineman (R) on February 13, 2013, to fill the office left vacant by former Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy's (R) resignation.[1] Upon announcing his decision to appoint Heidemann to serve out the remainder of Sheehy's unexpired term as lieutenant governor, Gov. Heineman said "This is a man I respect. I know him very, very well. I knew I could count on him to give me the best advice on a wide variety of issues."[1]
On September 9, 2014, Heidemann resigned from office and withdrew from the 2014 election. The resignation came in the wake of a protection order issued to Heidemann's sister, who accused him of physical abuse during an argument.[2] For his full statement and more information on this story, click here.
Heidemann is a former member of the Nebraska State Legislature, representing District 1 from 2005 to 2013. Heidemann was unable to run for re-election due to term limits. After leaving office, he remained in public service as a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
Biography
Heidemann was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska. He earned his diploma from Elk Creek High School in 1977.[3]
Prior to his election to the Nebraska Legislature, Heidemann was a member of the Elk Creek School Board. Formerly, he worked as a drilling foreman in Alaska.[4]
Heidemann was a drilling foreman for Longyear Drilling Corporation from 1978 to 1982 and a general foreman for Christensen Boyles Corporation from 1983 to 1995. Heidemann also has professional experience as a dairy farmer.[5]
Heidemann has been involved with a number of organizations, including the Fire District Board, Midwest Council of State Governments, Elk Creek Young Men's Club, Agriculture Builders of Nebraska, Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership, Fire District Board, Nebraska Boundary Commission, Nebraska Cattlemen, Pawnee County Farm Bureau, Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, and the Southeast Nebraska Feeders and Breeders.[5]
Political career
Nebraska Lieutenant Governor (2013-2014)
Heidemann served as Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska from February 13, 2013, until his resignation on September 9, 2014. He was appointed to fill the vacancy left when Rick Sheehy (R) resigned.[6]
Resignation
Heidemann announced his resignation from the lieutenant governor's office on September 9, 2014, following reports of a physical altercation with his sister, Lois Bohling. Bohling claimed that Heidemann grabbed her wrists and pushed her following an argument over their deceased father's estate. This altercation led to a September 8 order from Johnson County District Judge Daniel Bryan prohibiting Heidemann from contacting his sister, visiting her home, or visiting their mother's home. Heidemann stated that he disputed his sister's account of the discussion, but the order led to calls for his resignation by state Democratic leaders.[2]
Gov. Dave Heineman (R) announced that he would move quickly to fill the vacancy, which had been held by three different people in less than two years. Heineman selected state legislator John Nelson (R) as Heidemann's replacement on September 29.[7] Heidemann's 2014 running mate, Pete Ricketts (R), selected State Auditor Mike Foley as his new ticket mate following the resignation. The Nebraska Secretary of State approved an appeal by Ricketts to replace Heidemann with Foley on the ballot on September 10, 2014. The deadline to name a lieutenant gubernatorial candidate was September 1, and state law does not allow names to be removed from the ballot after that date. The appeal was approved on the grounds that Ricketts had a constitutional obligation to select a running mate.[2][8]
Heidemann made the following statement regarding his resignation:
| “ |
It has been overwhelming and humbling, all at the same time, to receive so much support and encouragement from people all across this state. It is the people who have worked with me, who know me best, and know my character that realize statements that have made about me are not who I am. This has been a difficult situation, and after much thought, discussion and prayer, I have decided that for the good of my family, for the Office of Lt. Governor, and for the future of Nebraska, I am resigning today from the Office of Lt. Governor, as well as withdrawing as running mate for Pete Ricketts. For the past 10 years, it has been an honor serving my constituents and the citizens of Nebraska. I am proud of what we have accomplished and grateful for the opportunity to serve Nebraskans. I love this state and I am forever thankful for the people of this state who have faithfully supported me. I wish you well. |
” |
| —Omaha.com, (2014) | ||
Nebraska State Senate (2005-2013)
Heidemann represented District 1 in the Nebraska State Senate from 2005 to 2013. He was unable to run for re-election due to term limits.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Heidemann served on these committees:
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Heidemann served on these committees:
Endorsement
On September 21, 2011, Senator Deb Fischer announced that Heidemann was one of thirteen State Senators in the Nebraska Unicameral to endorse her candidacy for the U.S. Senate.[10]
Appointments/Elections
2014
When he was appointed as lieutenant governor in 2013, Heidemann agreed to the stipulation that he would not seek election as governor in 2014.[6] In July 2013, Heidemann was mentioned as a possible candidate for governor, but he reiterated he would not run as it would violate the promise he made upon taking office.[11][12] In his resignation announcement, Heidemann also withdrew as the running mate for Republican gubernatorial nominee Pete Ricketts.[6]
2013
Heidemann was appointed as lieutenant Governor of Nebraska by Gov. Dave Heineman on February 13, 2013. Gov. Heineman stated, "This is a man I respect. I know him very, very well. I knew I could count on him to give me the best advice on a wide variety of issues."[1]
2008
- See also: Nebraska State Senate elections, 2008
On November 4, 2008, Heidemann won re-election to the 1st District Seat in the Nebraska Senate, defeating Jerry Joy.[13]
| Nebraska State Senate, District 1 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 Lavon Heidemann
|
9,303 | |||
| Jerry Joy | 5,838 | |||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Lavon Heidemann was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska, on October 24, 1958. Heidemann married his wife Robin Heidemann on May 6, 1995. As of his time serving in the Nebraska Legislature, they have had three children.[3]
See also
External links
- Office of the Nebraska Lieutenant Governor
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Lavon Heidemann on Wikipedia
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fremont Tribune, "Heidemann appointed lieutenant governor," January 13, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Omaha.com, " Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann resigns, withdraws as Pete Ricketts' running mate," September 9, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Nebraska Legislature, "Senator Lavon Heidemann," accessed July 8, 2021
- ↑ Unicameral Update, "Heidemann’s path to Legislature paved with gold," January 26, 2008
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Project Vote Smart, "Lavon Heidemann's Biography," accessed July 8, 2021
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Omaha.com, "Choice of Heidemann for lieutenant governor called 'great pick'," February 14, 2013
- ↑ Omaha.com, "Heineman chooses Omaha Sen. John Nelson as lieutenant governor," accessed September 29, 2014
- ↑ Kearney Hub, "Secretary of State: Mike Foley's name to appear on ballot," September 10, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 1011now.com, "Sen. Deb Fischer Announces Endorsements from 13 Neb. State Senators," accessed May 13, 2014
- ↑ Nebraska Watchdog, "Lt. governor says he won’t be running for governor," July 22, 2013
- ↑ Lincoln Journal Star, "Don Walton: Flood won't re-enter governor's race," July 7, 2013
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "2008 General Election Results," accessed April 10, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rick Sheehy (R) |
Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska 2013-2014 |
Succeeded by John Nelson |
| Preceded by Floyd P. Vrtiska |
Nebraska State Senate District 1 2005–2013 |
Succeeded by Dan Watermeier |
| |||||||||||||
