Bill Bowes
Non-Partisan | Nebraska
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bill Bowes
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
Member of the Legislature, Dist. 14
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Asbury University, Wilmore, KY, BS - Secondary Education, 1977-1981
Pike's Peak Community College, Colorado Springs, CO, AAS - Fire Science Technology, 2004-2005
University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, Certified Public Manager, 2017-2017
WORK & MILITARY
Bellevue Christian Academy, Teacher, Math and Science, 1981-1984
Omaha Fire Department, Battalion Chief, 2002-2006, 1984-2006
Papillion Fire Department, Fire Chief, 2006-2023
AFFILIATIONS
Nebraska 117, Board Chair, 2023-2026
Papillion La Vista Optimist, Vice-president, 2007-2026
Tribe Church, Advisory Board, 2023-2026
Bellewood Courts Senior Living, Board member, 2022-2026
United Way Community Investment Team, Group Chair, 2012-2019
Missouri Valley Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, President, 2014-2015, 2008-2023
International Association of Fire Chiefs, Member, 2003-2023
Fire Department Safety Officers Association, Member, 2003-2010
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
NA
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Nebraska Legislature D14, 2026-2026
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Mike Foley
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
US Congressman Mike Flood
Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley
Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg
Sarpy County Board Commissioner Angie Burmeister
Sarpy County Commissioner Don Kelly
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I am pro-life from conception to natural death. Abortion providers should not receive any taxpayer money.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I do not believe in elective abortions, so they should never be allowed. To clarify, an elective abortion is one in which the mother or another person decides to terminate the pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies and natural abortions are not elective abortions in this context.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Human life begins at conception. At this point, the baby is a human and should have all the legal protections afforded to anyone else.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
An embryo is a human life. Innocent human life, such as these embryos, should not be destroyed.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
Individual states now determine the legality and limits of abortions. Abortion-inducing drugs should not be allowed to be transported to a state that bans their use.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Our Founding Fathers' intent was primarily twofold: 1) to prevent government interference with the practice of religion, and 2) to prevent the government from establishing a state religion. We have sadly strayed far from this intent to the point that government has removed the practice of religion from public spaces.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Individual freedom (and by extension, the freedom of business to operate according to its beliefs) is paramount in our Constitution. The government should not be in the practice of ordering someone to violate their moral or religious beliefs.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The CCP has the long-term goal of being the predominant power in the world. We can never forget this. They will use every tool they can to disrupt and weaken our system and way of living. We must be vigilant to stay ahead of them in all ways.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, our relationship with Israel is very important. They are the lone democracy in the Middle East. They are a valuable partner in intelligence gathering in the region. We must remember that extremists in the Middle East have vowed to eliminate our culture. Israel is on the front lines of this battle. Our culture, our system, is based on Judeo-Christian values. We cannot turn away from this history.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
My view most closely matches that of choice C above. Medicaid and Medicare are long-standing promises that have been made to the American people. Medicaid to help provide care for those who cannot otherwise afford it and Medicare for those who are aged. The rest of healthcare insurance should be left to private industry - insurance providers and medical providers. Some government regulation of these is necessary.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Disagree
While it is worthy to track the economic costs of illness and diseases for the purposes of research, innovation, prevention, and treatment, I always get a bit worried when the government has access to personal information - especially medical information. There must be protections in place to prevent the misuse of any collected information.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Did not answer
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
The history of the United States has shown that free enterprise and private property rights are two components of an economic system that is the best ever developed by humans. When businesses are allowed to operate with limited government interference, when workers can improve their chances of success through training, education, and experience, and when people are able to keep more of their money, not only does an economy flourish, but so does society.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1) Accountability of all elected officials, 2) Transparency of all government transactions, 3) Efficiency of government operations and procurement procedures
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
I don't understand the rationale behind cities and states being sanctuaries for undocumented persons. It makes no sense whatsoever. If someone is in this country illegally, they should be arrested and deported. Local and state law enforcement should be willing and encouraged to assist federal law enforcement in the effort to remove the undocumented. This can be done in a safe and humane manner.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Since the inception of the Department of Education in the 1970's, education in this country has not improved as measured by standardized testing, graduation rates, or grade-level achievement. If something is not working, why we are we continuing to support it with taxpayer money? State government can determine what is important in education on its own.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
With foreign funding comes foreign influence. The United States is capable of funding education; we should not be accepting money from foreign countries.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The goal of the criminal justice system is two-fold: 1) to punish those who have committed crimes, with the punishment being fair and just, and 2) to rehabilitate those who are capable and willing to be rehabilitated.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
It is first the parents' responsibility to protect their child, but government also has a role in this through good regulations, prevention, investigation, enforcement, and punishment for those who exploit children.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Those who have felony convictions should not be allowed to possess firearms.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
I am a conservative, both fiscally and socially. I use a common-sense approach to issues in trying to determine what is best.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
A parent has the ultimate and primary responsibility for their children. Government cannot take the place of a parent. Of course, there are laws that must be abided by, but the government must recognize and support the rights and duties of parents.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
We are born one of two sexes. We cannot change that, nor should we try to change this. Even if a child is begging to be transitioned, it is the parent's responsibility to get help for the child in the form of counseling. A child is not capable of making a life-impacting decision, such as transition. For the parent to agree with this does constitute child abuse.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
I do not like gambling and do not like to see people fall prey to gambling addiction. I disagree with efforts to expand gambling.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am what is often referred to as a born-again Christian. To me, this means that I have accepted God as my saviour and the leader of my life. I strive to follow His direction, beginning with loving Him first and most, followed by loving others as I know He loves us. I try to treat everyone the same and treat everyone well.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voting is one of the most precious and special rights and responsibilities we have in our country. This responsibility is reserved for those who are citizens and who have the right to vote. Presenting a photo ID when voting ensures that the concept of one person, one vote is followed and that we have free and fair elections.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
This is such a simple issue that I cannot believe that our society is to the point that it is open to discussion. Men do not belong in women's sports or spaces.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
To believe that mankind has such an influence on the climate that it poses a threat is a sign of man's hubris. We have a solemn responsibility to care for the world in which we live, but not to be ruled by it.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I think the most reliable source is nuclear power.
