Ted Japp, a longtime Washington County resident, small-business owner, and advocate for limited government and conservative values, announced Monday that he will run for the District 16 seat in the Nebraska Legislature.
The seat is currently held by Senator Ben Hansen of Blair, who is unable to seek re-election due to term-limits. District 16 includes Washington, Burt, and Cuming counties and part of Stanton county.
A fifth-generation Washington County resident, Japp was raised on a dairy farm near Kennard and graduated from Bennington High School before attending Peru State College and the University of Nebraska–Kearney. He went on to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern College of Chiropractic—graduating first in his class—and served in private practice for 33 years.
“I’m running because Nebraska needs effective, limited government—government that protects our freedoms, supports families, and stays out of the way, so people can succeed through their own hard work,” Japp said. “Common sense must guide our decisions. People truly want life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and I intend to work every day to protect those ideals.”
Japp previously served on the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Board of Directors (Papio NRD), elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, representing Washington, Dakota, and parts of Burt, Thurston, and Douglas counties. He chose not to seek re-election in 2024.
“My priorities are clear: defend the unborn, protect our 2nd Amendment rights, support limited and transparent government, and stand up for the most vulnerable including those with developmental disabilities who too often lack a strong voice,” Japp said. “I will listen to the people of this district, work hard, and provide steady, principled leadership.”
Japp and his wife, Lori, have three children and three grandchildren.
