Sheila J. Korth-Focken

Republican | Nebraska

Candidate Profile

Leans Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Sheila J. Korth-Focken


Party

Republican


Election Year

2026


Election

Primary


Race

Governor


Incumbent

No


Links

Sheila J. Korth-Focken websites FacebookX

EDUCATION

University of Nebraska, Omaha, BACHELOR'S, 2004-2008

London School of Economics, London, Master's, 2009-2010

WORK & MILITARY

US Congress - Rep Fortenberry, Staff assistant, 2008-2009

Self employed, Consultant, 2014-2020

Taxpayers for Common Sense, Senior policy analyst, 2021-2024

City of Randolph, City administrator/treasurer, 2024-2025

AFFILIATIONS

Republican party, Campaign volunteer, 2008-2016

University of NE-Omaha, Founder of Scott Scholar Mentoring Program, 2017-2018

Sunset Hills Neighborhood Association, Co-leader, 2017-2018

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Natural Resources District, 2024-

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2007)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

OTHER INFORMATION

Sheila Korth-Focken completed Ballotpedia's election survey in 2026.

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

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

After 12 weeks, only in cases of rape/sexual assault, incest, or life/health of mother or baby.

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Agree

Please see answer above.

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Strongly Agree

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Agree


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

Government activities are separate from religious activities. Public funding is not used for religious functions. However I personally believe in God and will be upfront with my beliefs when I am Governor.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes, for international security purposes.


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.

C) I believe that we need to address the high cost of healthcare and allow private sector options to be available for individuals who are currently on the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare, since the coverage is becoming unaffordable for many farmers, ranchers and small business owners.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Disagree

This would violate HIPAA and patient privacy in my understanding.


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I support the will of NE voters on the minimum wage but as Governor, will work to cut income taxes so people can keep more of what they earn, instead of enacting an expansion in the minimum wage.

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

The government should not take people's land, or tax land or property at such a high rate as to prevent individuals from being able to afford land and resources.

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

I will increase transparency of spending, cut wasteful and unnecessary government spending, and eliminate earmarks. I will also overhaul Nebraska's agencies which are currently sending out an unbelievable number of improper payments and public officials are engaging in fraud. I have a specific plan to eliminate unnecessary and wasteful state and local spending, such as eliminating salaries of foreigners, contracts and grants for lobbyists, and other wasteful spending.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Disagree

Federal immigration laws need to be followed.


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Neutral

I agree states should administer necessary programs but time may be needed to transfer them from the federal to state level.

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Agree

Military personnel's children may attend schools in other countries, funded by foreign countries. Otherwise foreign countries should not be funding American education.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

To keep people who have committed violent crimes from committing them again.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

The government is currently failing to protect children from sex trafficking, child abuse and online exploitation.

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?

Current Nebraska law restrictions with exception of those who have been convicted of felonies that do not relate to public safety (such as child support). Also courts in NE are currently issuing harassment protection orders against victims of domestic violence - against the law- and these individuals should be able to own firearms to protect themselves.


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

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

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Agree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Agree

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I believe in God and know Jesus is my savior. I pray for those who need God's intervention in their lives and prayers regularly are answered. My grandparents had strong Catholic faith, and my faith is derived from their dedication and love.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Neutral

Nebraska currently has mail in voting which requires a driver's license number to be written on the ballot.


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

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.

Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Neutral

The government should not throw taxpayer money at ineffective programs in the name of climate change.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

A diverse mix of sources in case one is not functioning or available.

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