Washington is broken. For far too long, our nation’s capitol has been consumed with partisan gridlock and bickering.

Our elected leaders in Washington should represent the best interests of their constituents, and do what is right for their state and their country. The issues facing our nation will only be fully addressed when leaders from both sides of the aisle come to the table to find solutions.

Nebraskans have a strong tradition of independence in this state, a populist approach to government where party labels are eschewed and leaders are elected on their ability and vision. After all, no party or ideology has all the answers. The answers come from listening to those you represent, and through openness and cooperation.

As the late U.S. Senator Ed Zorinsky used to say, we need fewer Republican Senators, fewer Democratic Senators, and more United States Senators. I believe that this U.S. Senate seat belongs to the great people of Nebraska – not to a political party or special interest group.

Changing the way Washington does business won’t be easy.

Throughout my life I’ve been presented with tremendous challenges and opportunities. When I led the team that took over a bankrupt Behlen Manufacturing and returned it to local ownership, people told us we were doomed to fail. Twenty-five years later we employ more than 1,100 people; each with families and a future that our company helped build.

I want to take that same "can-do" spirit to Washington to fight on behalf on the people and the state I love so much. I want to work to change the broken system in Washington, move past the partisan bickering and get the work of the people done.