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Hoppner brings humor to his campaign
By Todd Anderson
Senior staff writer
Fortunately, political races are not decided
by the success of punch lines.
Bill Hoppner's quirky sense of humor
became a standby during his campaign, pro
ducing mixed results.
During a gubernatorial debate in Omaha
early last month. Hoppnerjoked that his worst
trait was loving people too much.
His quip failed to come across clearly with
a silent crowd of Hoppner and Johanns sup
porters.
But at a recent rally with Gov Ben Nelson,
another Hoppner attempt at humor had ev en
the current gov ernor red with laughter.
“I'm going to prove you don't have to have
hair to be governor£)f the state of Nebraska."
Hoppner said.
Despite comedian Hoppner's lighter side,
the Democratic underdog is straight-faced
about his goal to beat Republican Mike
Johanns in the race for governor, his friends
and supporters said.
But even in private company. Hoppner
reveals a light-hearted side.
Tom Hastings, Hoppner's boyhood friend,
said Hoppner jokes that the first time he saw
his wife-to-be. Nancy, he nearly wet his pants.
They were, of course, both infants at the
time. Hoppner and Nancy Tonjes grew up in
Pender, attended the same high school and
were even baptized in the same church on the
same day. They were high school sweethearts
before getting married.
Hastings said sometimes Bill's audience
has a hard time responding to his unique wit.
"He's so intelligent, his humor sometimes
takes people time to absorb." Hastings said.
And sometimes that wit draws criticism.
After an October debate in Kearney.
Hoppner kidded that he would appoint Barney
Fife, the bumbling deputy sheriff from "The
Andy Griffith Show.” to lead the State Patrol.
The comment drew the ire of the State
Troopers Association, which re-iterated its
support for Johanns.
Nancy Hoppner said his humor just takes
some getting used to.
'‘Bill's a very funny person." she said.
"Once people understand his sense of humor,
they realize he's a lot of fun."
A right-hand man
A look at the other side of the comic can
didate reveals a man with serious sights on the
governor's office.
In all his 48 years, Hoppner has never held
an elected political office,
ffis experience, how
ever, comes horn acting
as right-hand man for a
number of federal and top
state officials. /
That work, he said,
taught him the ins and
outs of state government
and its agencies.
In 1973, while finish
ing his law degree from
the NU College of Law.
Hoppner worked as then
Gov. J.J. hxon s legal
counsel.
The man who interv iewed Hoppner for the
job. Norman Otto, said Hoppner's early expe
rience under the Exon administration gave
him the opportunity to fine-tune his already
keen mind.
"Bill was always so quick to grasp issues
and be able to analyze them." Otto said.
"He never had to cram anything; he
already had it all in his head.”
Hoppner later worked in Exon's senatorial
office in Washington, D.C., as chief of staff.
He returned to Nebraska to work for tlien
Gov Bob Kerrey in 1982. and later became
chief of staffin Kerrey's Senate office in 1989.
Kerrey said Hoppner's strength is his
understanding of law.
That treasured skill will augment
Hoppner's leadership ability to make him the
top candidate, he said.
"Bill knows the state well, and he under
stands that the laws have to be written to give
people an opportunity' to grow” Kerrey said.
Coming to a commitment
Hoppner nev er mentioned running for
elected office during the years he worked in
business and as top aide in Nebraska govern
ment. his wife said.
She said people he knew' started to suggest
10 years ago that he think about becoming a
candidate for state office.
Hoppner first ran for the Democratic nom
ination in 1990. but lost to current Gov. Ben
Nelson by 42 v otes after two ballot counts.
neison win leave me
office in January after
serv ing two terms, the
legal limit for elected state
officers.
Nancy Hoppner said
her husband became used
to the idea of running for
office after he identified
goals for the state.
“There were some
issues he was interested
--—^ m, a11u lie uiuuyiii nc
•Jn.\ Frank DX couicj make a difference,”
she said.
This time around. Hoppner defeated for
mer state Sen. Jim McFarland with a 66 per
cent majority in May for the Democratic pri
mary election.
Hoppner has said he decided to run for
Nebraska's top office because he wants to
make sure state government invites all
Nebraskans to participate.
Hastings said Hoppner does not consider
that promise a joke.
As executiv e v ice president of Gretna
based International Transportation Services -
the business Hastings built from scratch and
still owns - Hoppner sought the input of the
company managers before making decisions.
"He would giv e them difficult questions to
put them on the line," he said. "And once he
had the facts he was willing to stand up to the
plate.”
Hastings said Hoppner has lived his whole
Election ‘98 _
Name: Bill Hoppner
Party: Democrat
Age: 48
Occupation: Lincoln business consultant.
Hometown: Born and raised in Pender.
Education: Graduated with a business
degree from UNL in 1972.
Earned law degree from the
NU College of Law in 1974.
]
life without compromising the ethics that gov
ern his approach to leadership, which makes
him a rarity in today's political arena.
"During fund-raisers, when people bring
up money, (Hoppner) makes it very well
known that a campaign donation might get
you an audience, but it won't get you a vote,”
Hastings said.
Feeling for the people
After searching for a few seconds for the
word that best describes her husband's best
quality, Nancy Hoppner said it is his humani
ty.
”(Bill) just really feels what the people in
the state are feeling,” Nancy Hoppner said.
“He wants to help the people that just
aren't being represented the way they like and
to make things fair for them," she said.
Hoppner helped start and was the original
president of the Nebraska Appleseed Center
for Law in the Public Interest, a nonprofit
organization of private attorneys that works to
prov ide better representation for low-income
Nphractans
He also is chairman of the Martin Luther
Holmes Society and a board member of
Daywatch. a Lincoln center for the homeless.
Milo Mumgaard current director of the
Appleseed Center, said Hoppner's concern for
others is genuine.
"He has a v ast sense of compassion and
concern for the undeqmv ileged and he's par
ticularly aware of how the poor and those
without power are left out in our systems,”
Mumgaard said.
Mumgaard said Hoppner is unique com
pared with other leaders because of the traits
that make up his character.
"He's a rarity because of this combination
of strong-w illed leadership and sophistica
tion. with a highly sincere compassion for the
down-trodden," he said.
Hastings also said Hoppner is an empa
thetic person.
“Hoppner believes government should
represent those who don't have a voice,” he
said.
For those qualities and Hoppner's experi