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LINCOLN — A Hartington native filed paperwork last week to seek a seat in the Nebraska Legislature in District 12. This area includes portions of western Omaha, Ralston, and Millard.
Thomas Kastrup is a longtime Omaha business leader. He feels his vast business and personal experiences are big assets.
Kastrup said he is already seeing strong support for his legislative bid.
“I have been honored and humbled by the early support for my campaign for the Nebraska Legislature,” he said. “I am excited to continue this strong start and talk to voters across our community on the campaign trail. We have the momentum and the movement that District 12 has been lacking for far too long.”
District 12 is currently represented by Merv Riepe, who is seeking re-election.
Kastrup said his campaign is focused on the issues voters are facing every single day - lowering the cost of living, slashing tax burdens, and restoring a respect for the will of the voters in our Legislature.
In addition to filing with the Secretary of State’s office to place his name on the ballot, Kastrup filed his campaign committee organization paperwork with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, after raising over $5,000 in individual contributions in the first 72 hours since launching his campaign on Thursday, Feb. 19.
The primary election for Legislative District 12 will be held in May of 2026.
Kastrup was born in Hartington. He was raised by two working-class parents. A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kastrup worked at the Omaha World-Herald, first as a local advertising professional, working up to his final role as the Director of Advertising. He also worked at BH Media Group and Smith Kroeger before settling into his current position at the Better Business Bureau of the Midwest Plains. Kastrup currently serves as Senior Vice President, where he’s helped small businesses with marketing, bringing his decades of experience across Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and portions of Iowa. He drives strategy and marketplace initiatives, shaping how the organization advances trust through consumer protection efforts, while guiding businesses on growth and ethical practices.
As a leader across multiple organizations, Kastrup has helped craft budgets, practice financial responsibility, and demonstrated experienced leadership - all things the Legislature needs.
He has served on various boards, including the board of Completely Kids, which provides educational programs for children and families living in poverty. Kastrup has also served on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism, the national board of directors for the Nebraska Alumni Association, and the board for the Local Media Consortium. He is also a proud graduate of Leadership Omaha.
He and his wife Stephanie, an elementary principal, live in Omaha. They have two daughters, Katherine and Elizabeth, who both work in schools serving students.
More information about Kastrup and his campaign can be found on his website: kastrupforne. com.
