Jon Bruning
Jon Bruning | |
|---|---|
| 31st Attorney General of Nebraska | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2003 | |
| Governor | Dave Heineman |
| Preceded by | Don Stenberg |
| Member of the Nebraska Senate from the 3rd district | |
| In office January 8, 1997 – November 6, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Avery |
| Succeeded by | Gail Kopplin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 30, 1969 Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law (J.D., 1994) University of Nebraska (B.A., 1990) |
| Occupation | Attorney general |
| Website | Official website |
Jon Bruning (born April 30, 1969) is the 31st Attorney General of the state of Nebraska and a candidate for the United States Senate. A Republican, he was a Member of the Nebraska State Legislature from 1996 until his resignation in 2002 following his election to the position of Attorney General.
Early life, education, and legal career
Bruning was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, a fifth generation Nebraskan, and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School. After high school, Bruning went on to the University of Nebraska where he received a Bachelor's degree in 1990. After completing his undergraduate studies, Bruning attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor with distinction in 1994.
While attending law school, Bruning wrote a column for the Daily Nebraskan student newspaper advocating several liberal viewpoints, including support for abortion rights, gun control, affirmative action and gay rights, while criticizing Ronald Reagan and describing trickle-down economics as "a farce." In response in 2011, his advisor said "As a student Jon held some liberal views and wrote about them. But as he matured, started a family, and began his career in the private sector he embraced conservative principles. His conservative voting record as a state senator, his years of work helping to elect conservatives in Nebraska – and nationally – and his record as Republican Attorney General has been stellar."[1][2]
After completing law school, Bruning went to work for both the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska.
Bruning served as general counsel for Vital Learning Corporation from 1995 to 1997. From 1999 to 2003, Bruning served as general counsel to Tagge-Rutherford Financial Group.[3]
Political career
State legislature
Bruning ran for the Senate's 3rd District of the Nebraska Legislature in 1996. He defeated incumbent Michael Avery 55%–44%.[4] He was the youngest member of the legislature. In 1998, he sponsored a bill that would extend loans to college students in order to encourage them to stay in the state.[5] He won re-election in 2000 unopposed.[6] By 2002, Nebraska was the only state to only use the electric chair for death penalty. He sponsored legislation to legalize lethal injection,[7]
Attorney General
He was elected Attorney General of the State of Nebraska in 2002 with 66%, and won re-election unopposed in 2006 and 2010. He sued the federal government over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with a 26 state coalition. He was President of the National Association of Attorneys General from 2009 to 2010.[citation needed]
2012 U.S. Senate election
On November 5th, 2010, Bruning announced he was exploring a 2012 run for the Senate seat currently held by incumbent Senator Ben Nelson.[8] On January 5th, 2011, Bruning officially entered the race by filing papers to form a campaign committee with the Federal Elections Commission[9]
Bruning drew criticism following an August 2011 speech in Papillion, Nebraska, in which he compared welfare recipients to scavenging raccoons. Bruning said his comment might have been "inartful" but that he was trying to make a point about spending cuts.[10][11]
Bruning has been endorsed by the Tea Party Express[12] and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.[13] Bruning has stated he believes life begins at conception, and has been endorsed by Nebraska Right to Life in each of his campaigns. [14]
Electoral history
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jon Bruning | 6,361 | 55.32 | |
| Michael T. Avery | 5,105 | 44.4 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Meister | 150,286 | 33.93 | |
| Republican | Jon Bruning | 292,673 | 66.07 | |
Personal
Bruning married Deonne Niemack of Shelton, Nebraska in 1995 in Lincoln; they have two children, Lauren and Jack.
See also
References
- ^ Catanese, David (7 February 2011). "In law school, Jon Bruning was a liberal". Politico. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
- ^ Conservatives, come out of close. politico.com
- ^ Jon Bruning. Icount.com (1969-04-30). Retrieved on 2012-03-03.
- ^ NE Legislature 03 Race – Nov 05, 1996. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-03-03.
- ^ 'Brain gain' bill dies. McCook Daily Gazette. April 8, 1998
- ^ NE State Senate 03 Race – Nov 07, 2000. Our Campaigns. Retrieved on 2012-03-03.
- ^ Nebraska becomes only state to rely solely on electric chair. Star-News. April 29, 2002
- ^ Becker, Bernie (November 5, 2010). "Nebraska Attorney General Looking at Senate challenge". New York Times.
- ^ Tysver, Robin (January 5, 2011). "Bruning makes Senate bid official". Omaha World-Herald.
- ^ Walton, Don. "Bruning comment on welfare recipients stirs controversy". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
- ^ David Catanese (August 11, 2011). "Local TV scorches Bruning for raccoon reference". Politico.
- ^ Catanese, David (May 11, 2011). "Tea Party Express brews Bruning for Nelson challenge". Politico.
- ^ Jon Bruning for Senate – Bruning Endorsed by Mike Huckabee. Jonbruning.com (2011-05-25). Retrieved on 2012-03-03.
- ^ Jon Bruning for Senate – Protecting the Unborn. Jonbruning.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-03.